Newsscan

22 December 2003 00:00  [Source: PCE]

The cost of implementing Europe's proposed Reach (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals) system could be cut by as much as Euro900m ($1.08bn) using new test methods, the European Commission (EC) claimed. Alternatives to existing toxicity tests, especially involving animal experiments, include in-vitro tests and computer models of hazard assessment.The EC previously estimated the cost of testing chemicals at about €2.3bn.

Chemical prices in the European Union (EU) fell 0.1% year-on-year in October in contrast with the rising trend in overall industrial producer prices, according to data from statistics agency Eurostat.

Degussa has started nano-scale production of zinc oxide from its new pilot reactor at Hanau-Wolfgang near Frankfurt. The new reactor will produce pyrogenic zinc oxide in tonne quantities. Meanwhile, the coatings and colourants business of Degussa plans to build a colourants plant and a manufacturing facility for producing coating polyesters at its Shanghai site.

Solutia Pharmaceutical Services Division has launched a peptide chemistry business, using its continuous flow solid phase peptide synthesis technology. It will enhance the process of producing large peptides at quantities intended for clinical and in-market use (up to 100 kg).

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