EUROPE: BSE AND GELATINE MARKETS

Article Abstract:

Leading producers of gelatine report no decline in demand despite the BSE scare. However, the industry is concerned about the supply of raw material and are eyeing North and South America as sources of safe raw material. In 1999 57.7% of the 108,886 tonnes of gelatine produced in Europe was out of pigs, while the rest was mainly made of bones and cattle hides. The food industry accounts for 58% of gelatine consumption in volume terms. Pharmaceuticals account for 19%, the film and photo industry 12% and technical applications 11%. The market is growing at an annual rate of 2-3%. While in the 1990s the pharmaceutical industry was the growth motor, now it is the food industry. A representative of Roche says that gelatine will not be replaced with non-animal-based materials, as the testing of new materials would be time- and cost-intensive. With an annual production of 254,550 tonnes and a turnover of US$ 1.2bn, DGF Stoess is the world market leader for gelatine. The runner-up is another German company, SKW Trostberg, which is, however, planning to divest this business. SwissCaps, which has presented a potato starch-based pharmaceutical coating, is to start up the first filling facility at the beginning of 2001 and plans to set up another 5 to 20 in the longer term.

European Union, Pharmaceutical preparations, Use of materials & supplies, Chemical preparations, not elsewhere classified, Gelatin, Tableting of Drugs, Tablets (Pharmacy), BSE, DGF Stoess Inc.

SWITZERLAND/US: CYDEX TECHNOLOGY FOR PEPTICHEMIO

Article Abstract:

The Swiss Bern-based company Peptichemio AG has acquired a licence from CyDex Inc. of the US for the Captisol drug administration technology. The technology will be used for a cancer treatment that is undergoing pre-clinical research. Captisol, which is based on a derivatised cyclodextrin, is suited especially to active agents that are not easily water-soluble.

United States, Drug Delivery Systems, Anticancer Drugs, Antineoplastic agents, Peptichemio, CyDex Inc.

SWITZERLAND: CIBA BOOSTS WATER TREATMENTS

Article Abstract:

Ciba Speciality Chemicals has set up a new business unit for water treatment in Basel. The new unit is led by Walter Meyer, head of waste water treatment, ore processing and industrial water treatment. The plant in Bradford, UK, will remain a research and production centre for acrylic chemistry.

Comment:

Has organized a new business unit in Basel, Switzerland for water treatment

United Kingdom, Facilities & equipment, Basic Chemical Manufacturing, Water Treatment Chemicals, Specialty Chemicals, Ciba-Geigy AG