Chemical makers try biotech paths

Breakthroughs in technology and pressure from investors are driving industrial chemicals makers established in organic chemistry to test production employing fermentation or enzyme catalysts. Roche reports it will establish a $75 mil fermentation plant in Grenzach, Germany, with B-2 production capacity equivalent to 3,000 metric tons annually. Lonza of Switzerland is integrating enzyme-based catalysis in the manufacture of niacinamide.