In The News
Economic Indicators: Business News
Plant Watch New chlor-alkali plant scheduled for Kazakhstan April 23, 2008 — Uhdenora received a contract from AO "Kaustik" for a new membrane chlor-alkali plant to be erected in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. The new plant will have a capacity of 91…
Chementator: Hot Potatoes
CLC bio (Aarhus, Denmark; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-550) and partners from Danish research institutions and crop-enhancing firms have started a project to develop potatoes into a multipurpose crop, which is not only used for animal and human food, but also for energy (biofuel)…
Chementator: Aseptic Filling
GEA Procomac, a Division of GEA Niro Inc. (Hudson, Wisc.; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-551) has received a letter of non-objection from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA; Washington, D.C.) for aseptic filling systems for low-acid, shelf-stable products. Used for filling PET containers,…
Chementator: Metal Pretreatment
Last month, Henkel KgaA (Düsseldorf, Germany; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-552) introduced a new conversion coating process called TecTalis, which replaces zinc phosphate, thereby offering "significantly" reduced cost and environmental footprint, says the firm. The new technology is easily applicable in existing lines. The…
Chementator: Smart Shoes
IQTex (Hamburg; Germany; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-553) has developed a ventilation element — integrated into the soles of shoes — that functions like a flower, which closes up in the rain and reopens when dry. As a result, stepping in a puddle causes…
Chementator: A New Way to Make Dispersions
At last month’s CosmoProf exhibition (April 10 – 14; Bologna, Italy), VMI-Rayneri (Montaigu, France; edlinks.chemengonline.com/7372-531) introduced a new vacuum-injection process for dispersing powder-like solids into liquids or pastes during the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food or other chemical products. Normally,…
Chementator: A Less Expensive Way to Make Boron Carbide Components
Because parts made from boron carbide have a higher rigidity and lower weight compared with those made from silicon carbide and alumina, boron carbide parts are important components for semiconductor manufacturing equipment and other components requiring high-temperature and abrasion resistance,…
Solvay launches new product for air-pollution control
Solvay S.A. (Brussels, Belgium; www.solvay.com) announces today that its subsidiary Solvay Chemicals, Inc. is expanding its portfolio with a new product named SOLVAir Select 300, which is designed for air-pollution control applications, in particular, the treatment of sulfur dioxide (SO2)…
BASF starts up new nitric-acid plant
BASF S.E. (Ludwigshafen, Germany; www.basf.com) has started operating a new plant for the production of nitric acid at its Antwerp Verbund site. Nitric acid is one of the most important inorganic intermediates, and the plant's output will be used mainly…
Hägglunds Drives acquires Rineer Hydraulics
Hägglunds Drives AB (Mellansel, Sweden; www.hagglunds.com) has signed an agreement to acquire the operations of the U.S. company Rineer Hydraulics Inc. for approx. $23 million. The acquisition will strengthen Hägglunds Drives’ product offering and position on the North American market.…