Page 154 - CW E-Magazine (26-3-2024)

News from Abroad

LEVERAGING BIOTECH SKILLS
Evonik sets up new research network dedicated

to skin sciences

German speciality chemicals group,
Evonik, has established a network of
experts and laboratories to meet the
demand for smartly designed, well-sub-
stantiated active ingredients and cos-
metic solutions. The ‘Evonik Skin
Institute’ will leverage the company’s
biotechnology platform within its life
sciences division, Nutrition & Care.

“The Evonik Skin Institute is made
up of a global network of life science
experts and laboratories that provide a series of recent partnerships and and personal care ingredients are used
customers with stronger support for acquisitions. to precisely describe their scientifically
claim-substantiated cosmetics with bio- proven benefits and provide a perfor-
logical mechanisms, biomarkers, and “We believe that life sciences are mance commitment that helps to pro-
preclinical or clinical capabilities,” completely redefining innovation in mote each product. Examples of claims
a company press note informed. The cosmetics,” said Mr. Yann d’Hervé, include: “soothes the skin” or “reduces
experts would be skilled in cell bio- head of the Care Solutions business wrinkles”.
logy, 3D tissue engineering, epigenetics, line.
microbiome sciences, and clinical The Evonik Skin Institute will bring
evaluation. The new institute supports “We look forward to working with together the knowledge and experience
Evonik’s Active Ingredients and an integrated network of start-ups, aca- that Evonik has built up over 30 years
Cosmetic Solutions businesses with its demic institution and key opinion lead- of designing and marketing ceramides.
teams based in Singapore, India, Spain ers to provide more opportunities and This expertise has been further en-
and Germany. support for highly customer-centric, hanced through a series of acquisitions,
business-for-business collaboration,” including the Argentinian biotechno-
The new institute will also enable added Ms. Jennifer Bourland, head of logy company Novachem, which specia-
more science-driven, co-creation pro- the Evonik Skin Institute. Ingredients lises in natural and sustainable active
jects and it will play an important role in and products must interact positively ingredients for skin and hair care appli-
expanding the company’s portfolio and intelligently with the skin and cut- cations, and Alkion Biopharma, which
of biosolutions, building on a 30-year ting-edge science is revealing the role specialises in plant biotechnology for
legacy in active ingredients, over 90 years’ of the microbiome and living world in the development of cosmetic active
experience in cosmetic ingredients, and this interaction. Claims for cosmetic ingredients.

Elkem exits battery materials firm, Vianode

Norwegian silicones specialist, Altor Fund Manager. The financial a focus on Elkem’s core business.
Elkem, said it has decided to exit details of the transaction were not Going forward, Vianode will con-
its financial investment in the ad- disclosed. tinue to be backed by Hydro and
vanced battery materials company, Altor Fund V, Elkem said. In 2022,
Vianode, which it jointly owns This is in line with the previously Hydro and Altor Equity Partners
with global aluminium and renew- announced comprehensive pro- had each acquired 30% ownership
able energy company, Hydro, and gramme for earnings improvements in Vianode, while Elkem retained
Altor Fund V, a fund managed by and capex reductions in Elkem, and the remaining 40% ownership.

154 Chemical Weekly March 26, 2024

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