Innovation and Product Development news

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  2 September 2026

  AkzoNobel opens €7.5m powder coatings innovation lab in Sassenheim

  Focuses on solvent-free, lower-temperature powder coatings and advanced particle analysis to cut energy use and CO₂ across the value chain.
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  2 September 2026

  Axens to deliver modular 5,000 m3/day Prime-D diesel hydrotreater to YPF

  Prefabricated modular Prime-D unit trims delivery by six months, reduces CAPEX and limits on-site work while enabling ultra-low sulphur diesel production.
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  2 September 2026

  ProLogium begins mass production of Gen 3.5 all‑solid‑state LCB — 381 Wh/kg, 903 Wh/L

  185.4 Ah cell posts 381 Wh/kg and 903 Wh/L in TÜV test; UL vacuum test classifies it as all‑solid‑state. Gen 3.5 now in mass production at Taiwan gigafactory.
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  2 September 2026

  Hycamite: Polaris confirms quality of natural gas-based battery graphite

  Independent lab found methane-derived graphite matches commercial anode grades, with >350 mAh/g reversible capacity and target carbon footprint <2.5 kg CO2e/kg.
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  1 September 2026

  Mitsubishi Chemical’s DURABIO adopted by ALBION for Excia compact cases

  Plant-derived isosorbide plastic blended with other transparent resins achieves pearlescent, seashell-like compact cases with retained durability and weather resistance.
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  1 September 2026

  Veolia signs three MOUs with Saudi partners on desalination, mining water reuse and LPG decarbonisation

  Three MOUs with Saudi industrial partners target desalination efficiency, mining water and waste reuse, and decarbonisation of LPG storage, with potential CO2 savings of 500,000 t/yr.

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  1 September 2026

  GSK advances mRNA seasonal flu vaccine to phase III

  Phase II showed higher immune responses vs licensed comparators and acceptable safety; phase III starts Sept 2026 with Fast Track FDA status.
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  1 September 2026

  Metso and Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) to deliver concentrator plant for GTK Mintec pilot in Outokumpu

  Engineering and delivery of process technology for a minerals pilot plant in Outokumpu; operations due by end‑2028; two test lines, HPGR, flotation, closed‑loop water and digital automation.
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  31 August 2026

  Lilly to acquire Merida Biosciences for antibody‑degrading immunology platform

  Precision platform targets pathogenic autoantibodies; MER511 Phase 1 shows strong reductions in thyroid‑stimulating antibodies; deal includes up to $2.875B in cash.
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  31 August 2026

  PPG ONE RANGE — PPG launches one-component marine coatings for onboard maintenance

  Five ready-to-use one-component marine coatings plus a battery-powered application tool to simplify onboard maintenance, reduce mixing and waste, and support low-VOC and low flame spread needs.
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  31 August 2026

  Eli Lilly: Taltz plus Zepbound sustain improved psoriatic and metabolic outcomes at 52 weeks

  Combination maintained or deepened psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis responses and reduced systemic inflammation while improving metabolic measures including BMI and HbA1c at one year versus Taltz alone.
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  31 August 2026

  John Cockerill to equip A1 Iron & Steel with integrated cold‑rolling complex in Tanzania

  Integrated plant will combine pickling with acid regeneration, a 6‑high cold mill and Galvalume coating to produce cold‑rolled and coated steel for East Africa.
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  31 August 2026

  Acelen Agripark marks first year with biofactory scarifying 1.7M macauba seeds/month

  Robotized scarification and automated nursery enable commercial-scale macauba seedling production for SAF and HVO feedstock.
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  31 August 2026

  Veloxis doses first patient in Phase 2 RENGEVITY-201 of pegrizeprument (VEL-101)

  Phase 2 trial compares pegrizeprument with tacrolimus in up to 120 de novo kidney transplant recipients; primary endpoints are safety, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
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  31 August 2026

  Uniper advances NorthStarH2 into FEED with AFRY, Carbon Clean, Siemens Energy and Topsoe

  Contracts worth >SEK100m launch ~1-year FEED for a 115,000 t/yr e‑methanol plant using renewable electricity and biogenic CO2; FID 2028, commissioning 2031.
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  31 August 2026

  Topsoe to deliver FEED for Uniper's NorthStarH2 e‑methanol project

  115,000 t/y e‑methanol plant in Östersund using modular ModuLite tech; FID targeted 2028; will combine renewable hydrogen with biogenic CO₂ and use existing road/rail logistics.
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  31 August 2026

  Axens chosen by Expander Energy for FT liquids upgrading to produce 2G drop-in biofuels

  FT liquids upgrading tech to convert cellulosic feedstock into drop-in SAF and renewable diesel; initial deployment at two Canadian facilities; FID targeted December 2026.
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  31 August 2026

  Amgen: Repatha reduces all‑cause mortality in high‑risk primary prevention (VESALIUS‑CV)

  Pre‑specified VESALIUS‑CV analysis shows evolocumab plus background therapy lowers deaths and major CV events in high‑risk adults without prior MI/stroke.
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  31 August 2026

  AGC Glass Europe and Saint‑Gobain launch hybrid furnace project

  Hybrid furnace to cut CO₂ from flat glass production; construction starts Jan 2027, production H2 2027; co-funded by the EU ETS Innovation Fund.
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  30 August 2026

  Toray launches two nanofiltration membrane elements

  Two nanofiltration elements launched in July 2026: one chemically durable for industrial wastewater and MLD/ZLD, the other low‑pressure with high PFAS removal and high permeate flow.
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  29 August 2026

  SONATRACH and Anton Oilfield Services sign MoU on unconventional resources and EOR

  MoU to evaluate cooperation on unconventional resources, marginal deposits, EOR, local completion tool manufacture and technology transfer.
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  28 August 2026

  SCG Chemicals, Earthology & Jim Thompson unveil ReNylon x ReSilk hybrid fabric

  Prototype merges recycled fishing-net nylon with silk production waste to boost durability and retain luster; Nets Up has recovered 80+ tonnes of nets, cutting ~450 kgCO₂eq.
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  28 August 2026

  Takeda: FDA approves MIMRYLO (rusfertide) for erythrocytosis in polycythemia vera

  First-in-class hepcidin mimetic approved for adult PV erythrocytosis; Phase 3 VERIFY showed hematocrit control, reduced phlebotomy and improved fatigue.
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  28 August 2026

  Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro approved by FDA to reduce cardiovascular risk in adults with type 2 diabetes

  First GIP+GLP‑1 agonist authorised to lower major adverse cardiovascular events in high‑risk adults with type 2 diabetes; SURPASS‑CVOT enrolled >13,000 with ~4‑year median follow‑up.
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  28 August 2026

  Roche: Vabysmo shows two‑year efficacy and extended dosing in PCV (SALWEEN)

  Dual Ang‑2/VEGF‑A inhibitor delivered vision gains, lesion regression and dosing intervals up to 20 weeks for most patients in a two‑year Asian PCV trial.
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  28 August 2026

  Wanhua Chemical shifts into new energy and battery materials

  Designates battery materials as its second core business; secures phosphorus and lithium upstream; opened Haiyang Green Power Industrial Park for LFP production in March 2025; broadened downstream battery-materials portfolio.
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  28 August 2026

  PETRONAS 1H 2026: resilient results and energy-security focus

  Revenue up 15% to RM152.4bn; PAT RM27.2bn; CAPEX RM41.4bn and full ownership of PRefChem expected in 2H 2026 amid West Asia conflict-driven volatility.
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  27 August 2026

  Formosa Smart Energy: CH Algae secures ISCC EU for algae oil, broadens SAF feedstocks

  Algae oil gains ISCC EU certification; pilot 500‑L line meets SAF feedstock specs with 50–60% oil content; company plans scale‑up to demonstration and commercial production.
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  27 August 2026

  Metso selected as process technology partner for New Simberi expansion

  EUR 10m order booked; deliveries include Vertimill regrind, TankCell flotation, VPA pressure filtration and HRT thickener to enable sulphide processing and ~200,000 oz/year target.
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  27 August 2026

  Evonik expands LNP GMP manufacturing with new Vancouver facility

  New plant adds clinical-scale lipid nanoparticle drug product capacity with federal support; production is planned to start at the end of 2029.