TCL #18: Climeworks' Carbon Capture Boost, Siemens' Green Hydrogen Push, Pfizer's FDA Win, Avantium's Bio-Based Packaging & More

In this edition of The Chem Ledger, I cover Climeworks’ latest advancement in Direct Air Capture through its collaboration with Avantium, Siemens’ strategic partnership to expand green hydrogen production, and Pfizer’s FDA approval for its antibody-drug conjugate Adcetris.

Plus, Avantium and Amcor’s push for sustainable, plant-based packaging, Owens Corning’s $755 million divestment in glass reinforcements, and Nxu’s merger with Verde Bioresins to drive sustainable materials innovation. Stay updated on the latest breakthroughs in the chemical and allied industries.

Carbon Capture

Climeworks and Avantium have collaborated to develop a custom-made, high-throughput adsorption testing unit specifically designed for Climeworks' Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology. This testing unit aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of testing new materials for CO₂ adsorption, which is crucial for improving the cost-effectiveness of DAC systems. 

Energy

1. Johnson Matthey and Bosch have announced a long-term collaboration focused on the development of zero-emission hydrogen technology. This partnership aims to enhance the production and application of hydrogen as a clean energy source, particularly in fuel cell technology. Johnson Matthey will provide high-performance Catalyst-Coated Membranes (CCMs) which Bosch plans to utilize these CCMs in its compact and scalable fuel cell power modules, which are designed for various applications, including automotive.
2. Siemens has partnered with Guofu Hydrogen, a prominent Chinese supplier of integrated hydrogen energy solutions, to enhance global green hydrogen production. The partnership focuses on several key areas including-

• Collaborating on the development and engineering of Guofu's electrolyzers and electrolyzer systems.
• Equipping new manufacturing facilities to produce these electrolyzers, particularly for deployment in the European market.
• Siemens has been designated as Guofu's preferred supplier and technology partner across its entire hydrogen value chain.

3. Accelera, a division of Cummins Inc., is set to supply a 100 MW proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer system for BP's Lingen green hydrogen project in Germany. This project is notable as BP's largest hydrogen production facility to date. The electrolyzer system will consist of 20 PEM HyLYZER®-1000 units, which is the largest assembly of electrolyzers produced by Accelera so far. Once fully operational in 2027, the system is expected to generate up to 11,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. The electrolyzers will be manufactured at Accelera's new facility in Guadalajara, Spain.

EV

Nxu, Inc. has received shareholder approval for its merger with Verde Bioresins. The merger was approved following a stockholder vote on February 11, 2025, and is expected to close in March 2025. Verde Bioresins is recognized for its innovative bioresin, PolyEarthylene™, which serves as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based plastics. The merger aims to leverage Nxu's expertise in energy storage and charging solutions alongside Verde's sustainable product innovations.

Pharma

1. Pfizer's antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) Adcetris (brentuximab vedotin) has received FDA approval for the treatment of large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). This approval allows Adcetris to be used in combination with lenalidomide and rituximab for patients with relapsed or refractory LCBL. The FDA's decision was based on positive results from the Phase 3 ECHELON-3 trial, which demonstrated that the Adcetris regimen significantly reduced the risk of death by 37% compared to other treatments. This marks an important expansion of Adcetris's indications, as it has been used for over 13 years in other cancer treatments.
2. Roche has received FDA approval for Evrysdi in tablet form, marking it as the first and only tablet treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This new formulation is expected to enhance convenience for patients, potentially giving Roche a competitive edge over other SMA treatments, particularly those from Biogen and other rivals that do not offer a tablet option.

Packaging

Avantium has partnered with Amcor Rigid Packaging to develop and explore the use of a plant-based polymer known as polyethylene furanoate (PEF), branded as Releaf. The agreement allows Amcor preferential access to future volumes of PEF produced by Avantium's licensing network. The initiative aims to enhance the sustainability of packaging by utilizing 100% plant-based materials.

Composites

Owens Corning has announced its decision to sell its glass reinforcements business to the Praana Group, an India-based holding company, for $755 million. The glass reinforcements business is part of Owens Corning's Composites division, which specializes in manufacturing and distributing glass fiber reinforcements. In 2024, this segment generated approximately $1.1 billion in revenue for the company.