Page 162 - CW E-Magazine (28-5-2024)

News from Abroad

REGULATORY ACTION
US finalises ban on most uses of methylene chloride

The US Environmental Protection duction of more climate-friendly refrige-
Agency (EPA) has finalised a ban on rant chemicals. Since 1980, at least 88
most uses of methylene chloride, a people have died from acute exposure
chemical known to cause cancer. to methylene chloride, largely workers
engaged in bathtub refinishing or other
US-EPA’s final action, also known paint stripping, even, in some cases,
as a risk management rule under USA’s while fully trained and equipped with
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), personal protective equipment.
will protect people from health risks EPA Administrator, Mr. Michael Regan,
while allowing key uses to continue said, “US-EPA’s final action brings While US-EPA banned one con-
safely with a robust new worker pro- an end to unsafe methylene chloride sumer use of methylene chloride in
tection programme. These includes use practices and implements the strongest 2019, use of the chemical has remained
in production of refrigerant chemicals, worker protections possible for the few widespread and continues to pose signi-
production of battery separators for remaining industrial uses, ensuring no ficant and sometimes fatal danger to
electric vehicles, use as a processing one in this country is put in harm’s way workers. US-EPA’s final risk manage-
aid in a closed system, use as a labo- by this dangerous chemical.” ment rule requires companies to rapidly
ratory chemical, use in plastic and rub- phase down manufacturing, processing
ber manufacturing, and use in solvent Methylene chloride is used by con- and distribution of methylene chloride
welding. sumers for aerosol degreasing and paint for all consumer uses and most indus-
and coating brush cleaners, in commer- trial and commercial uses, including its
This is the second risk management cial applications such as adhesives and use in home renovations. Consumer use
rule to be finalised using the process sealants, and in industrial settings for will be phased out within a year, and
created by the 2016 TSCA amendments. making other chemicals. For example, most industrial and commercial uses
Commenting on the development, US- methylene chloride is used in the pro- will be prohibited within two years.

FUNDING SUPPORT
Bio-based ingredients firm, Insempra completes

$20-mn financing

Germany’s Insempra, has an- cesses, Insempra designs and builds its
nounced the successful completion of ingredients with atomic precision so
a $20-mn Series A financing round, that they can be rapidly produced and
which will help accelerate its mar- manufactured at scale, offering better
ket-first approach to developing in- solutions to agriculturally and petro-
trinsically sustainable bio-based ingre chemically sourced oils and materials.
dients for the beauty and food industries. Driven by market need and collabo-
Existing investors EQT Ventures, rations with consumer brands, Insem-
Following an initial $15-mn seed BlueYard Capital, Possible Ventures, pra is growing lipids for cosmetic and
round conducted in 2021, this financing Taavet Sten and Acequia Capital partici- food applications. It is also developing
round will enable Insempra to continue pated in the round. New investors are the technology that offers a bio-based alter-
building a technology platform that corporate venture of international FMCG native to everyday materials such as
delivers these sustainable ingredients for giant Henkel, Henkel dx Ventures, polymers and textiles and progressing
a wide range of industries, while sup- Bayern Kapital and Alante Capital. its biological solutions to create new
porting the company in the scale up of natural molecules for use in functional
its technology scouting, development, By harnessing new technologies to ingredients, such as antioxidants, pre-
and manufacturing capabilities. advance biological manufacturing pro- servatives and flavours & fragrances.

162 Chemical Weekly May 28, 2024

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