Page 167 - CW E-Magazine (11-6-2024)

News from Abroad News from Abroad

NOVEL ADHESIVE SOLUTIONS
Wacker acquires US fi rm’s assets and technical know-

how for silicone-coated healthcare products

Germany’s Wacker has agreed to ac-
quire the manufacturing assets and know-
how of US-based Bio Med Sciences to
expand its expertise and business in sili-
cone-coated healthcare products. As part
of the acquisition, a majority of Bio Med
Sciences’ workforce will also move to
Wacker. Financial details of the deal were decades, making it the logical choice for corn feedstocks using a biotechnological to serve diverse industries. Evonik’s
not disclosed. the fi rst industrial-scale rhamnolipid pro- process. This yields a high-performing, expertise in biotechnology is spearheaded
duction facility. This reinforces the posi- non-toxic, biodegradable biosurfactant. by its life sciences division, Nutrition &
The deal will help Wacker advance its tion of Evonik Fermas as a biotechnology Rhamnolipids are increasingly in de- Care. The division is using innovative
expertise for fully integrated development scale-up and launch platform for Evonik,” mand because they provide a sustainable biosolutions to address the challenges
and production of silicone-coated adhe- a press note released on the occasion said. alternative to surfactants based on fossil of biocircular care through closed-loop
sive products. sources or tropical oils. By 2030, Evonik carbon systems, while maintaining high
Evonik has been leading the deve- aims to have invested more than €3-bn in functionality and preserving biodiversity.
“Silicones are best-in-class adhesive medical and cosmetic applications,” he duct designers. Also, customers will have lopment of industrial-scale biosurfactants ‘Next Generation Solutions’ – products In addition to biosurfactants, Nutrition &
solutions due to their unmatched skin explained. access to new silicone adhesive coated with its IP-protected, fermentation-based with superior sustainability benefi ts. Care’s biosolutions include biotech actives,
compatibility and tuneable adhesive pro- products through contract manufacturing. process for rhamnolipid production. One example is the biosurfactant tech- cell culture solutions and nucleic acid-based
perties. The skin fi xation market for health Wacker will also use the acquired “We will be able to support coaters who do Rhamnolipids are made from renewable nology platform that Evonik is building medicines.
care patches and medical devices has technology as a development platform for not use silicones or lack access to assets for
been growing in popularity for years,” the innovations in stick-to-skin applications, coating with silicones,” stated Mr. Kowitz. GREENER AVIATION
company said in a press note. such as wear-able medical devices and Neste expands SAF supply capabilities in Europe
scar care. The acquired assets and a majority of
“Now, we have the capability to drive the workforce will be part of a new legal in partnership with VTTI
forward our business with silicone special- “With our own prototyping ability, we entity called Wacker Silicone Manufac-
ties with even greater vigour,” said Wacker now have an opportunity to demonstrate tured Innovations LLC (WSMI). The Finland-based Neste has further ex- The terminal is located in one of the natives like SAF,” said Mr. Alexander
Board Member, Mr. Christian Kirsten. the performance attributes and advantages entity, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wacker panded its capability to supply sustainable biggest fuel logistics hubs in Europe with Kueper, Vice President, Renewable Aviation
“By taking over Bio Med Sciences’ assets, of our silicones to coaters, converters, Chemical Corporation, will serve custo- aviation fuel (SAF) to customers in Europe access to the broader European fuel infra- Business at Neste.
technology, and know-how, we are now a and designers of medical devices,” noted mers and offer prototype development, in cooperation with VTTI, a leading structure, such as the Central European
solution provider for the health care indus- Mr. Christoph Kowitz, CEO and President technical, and contract manufacturing energy storage fi rm and developer of Pipeline System (CEPS), which will en- “By 2028, our aim is to have half of
try. We can support and collaborate with of Wacker Chemical Corporation. services to the medical device and wound energy infrastructure. Neste commissioned able a more sustainable and effi cient fuel our business in transitional and sustaina-
customers who are looking for innovative care markets. The business is based in terminal capacity at VTTI’s ETT terminal supply to customers and airports across ble energies, and by having partners like
adhesive coating solutions in the health- With these new assets and the exist- Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. Existing in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, for the stor- Europe. Neste, who are also committed to the
care sector even better. This new business ing silicones portfolio, Wacker can now consumer products and related brands will age and blending of Neste MY Sustainable energy transition, it puts us one step
perfectly complements our existing solu- provide processing recommendations remain with BioMed Sciences and are not Aviation Fuel. “This expansion of our supply capa- closer to a more sustainable future,” noted
tions of silicone-based gel adhesives for with technical service to coaters and pro- part of the acquisition. bilities enables our customers to accelerate Mr. Jaap Koomen, Senior Vice President,
This is a signifi cant step in expanding SAF usage at European airports and lays a VTTI Netherlands Terminals.
GREEN & CLEAN SOLUTIONS the availability of Neste’s SAF to custo- strong foundation for fulfi lling the require-
Evonik inaugurates biosurfactants facility in Slovakia mers across Europe. It is part of Neste’s on- ments of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regula- Neste’s SAF is made from sustainably

going expansion of global SAF production tion, mandating the supply of a minimum sourced, 100% renewable waste and resi-
German speciality chemicals fi rm, industrial-scale quantities of rhamnolipid applications, according to Evonik. “The and supply capabilities, with SAF produc- share of SAF to European airports from due raw materials, such as used cooking
Evonik, has offi cially inaugurated its biosurfactants. These sustainable bio- new facility is based at Evonik Fermas, tion at Neste’s renewables refi nery in Singa- 2025 onwards. It also shows how we are oil and animal fat waste. SAF is blended
new biosurfactant plant in Slovakia. The surfactants are already transforming the the company’s site in Slovenská Ľupča, pore ramping-up and the modifi cation of working together with partners like VTTI with conventional jet fuel before use and
“triple-digit million-euro” facility is said cleaning, beauty and personal care indus- Slovakia. Biotechnology capabilities at its Rotterdam renewables refi nery to enable to repurpose existing fuel distribution works seamlessly with existing aircraft
to be the fi rst worldwide to manufacture tries and have huge potential in many other the site have been built up over many SAF production nearing completion. infrastructure for more sustainable alter- engines and fuelling infrastructure.

166 Chemical Weekly June 11, 2024 Chemical Weekly June 11, 2024 167

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