BioVerdant Inc Appoints Dr. Berkeley W. Cue to Its Scientific Advisory Board

BioVerdant, Inc., a private company
that utilizes biocatalysis to provide extremely cost effective Green
Chemistry solutions for chemical manufacture, today announced the
appointment of Dr. Berkeley W. Cue to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr.
Cue is currently co- chairman of the Green Chemistry Institute's
Pharmaceutical Roundtable and was elected to the Governing Board of the
Green Chemistry Institute in 2003. Dr. Cue has spoken extensively on a
variety of aspects of Green Chemistry since 2000 and is widely considered
one of the industry's thought leaders.
Dr. Cue is a former Vice President of Pharmaceutical Sciences with
Pfizer Global Research and Development in Groton, Connecticut, where he
spent 29 years before retiring in April of 2004. While at Pfizer he created
and led Pfizer's Green Chemistry initiative. In 2004, he testified before
the House of Representatives Science Committee in support of the 2004
Federal Green Chemistry Act (HB 3970). Also in 2004, he was appointed to
the National Academies of Science Committee on Grand Challenges for
Sustainability in the Chemical Industry. In addition to his work with the
Green Chemistry Institute, Dr. Cue currently occupies seats on the
Scientific Advisory Boards of a variety of companies and academic
institutions. He also consults with several technology companies who serve
the pharmaceutical industry to create innovative solutions for
pharmaceutical science and manufacturing challenges.
Dr. Kim Albizati, Chief Executive Officer of BioVerdant stated, "We are
extremely happy that Buzz has chosen to work with us at BioVerdant. He has
proven to be very particular about who he works with in the fields of
biotransformations and green chemistry. The fact that Buzz enthusiastically
joined our SAB is a statement about our commitment and ability to become
leaders in the use of biotransformations in the Green Chemistry movement in
the pharmaceutical and related chemical-based industries."
About BioVerdant
BioVerdant is a private, venture-backed company headquartered in San
Diego, California with a corporate philosophy dedicated to green chemistry
and a focus on Biocatalysis and Chemical Process Research and Development
to provide cost effective and environmentally friendly solutions for drug
manufacturing. BioVerdant develops innovative chemoenzymatic solutions for
chemical manufacture that significantly reduce the time and cost of
manufacturing. The Company is transforming the synthesis of drug molecules
at industrial scales by integrating chemical, genomic and proteomic
sciences with the art of modern chemical process development and drug
manufacturing.
The scientists of BioVerdant are world leaders in enzyme discovery,
protein evolution, chemical process development and drug manufacturing and
the company was founded by expatriates of a major global pharmaceutical
company who are internationally recognized in these fields. The Company's
"Green Chemistry" approach to drug manufacturing is geared to minimizing
the effects and waste products of drug manufacturing on the environment.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/01-29-2007/0004514848&EDATE=

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals Reports Positive Initial Results From Phase 2 Small Cell Lung Cancer Trial With SNS-595

Sunesis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SNSS) today announced that the company will advance the small-cell lung cancer trial in treatment-sensitive patients to Stage 2. The company reported initial results from the first stages of two Phase 2 clinical trials of SNS-595, a novel cell-cycle inhibitor, in first- line relapsed/refractory small cell and non-small cell lung cancers. Anti- tumor activity was observed, including evidence of stable disease, minor responses and partial responses reported in one arm of the small cell lung cancer study, and minor and mixed responses and stable disease in the non- small cell lung cancer trial.

Sunesis initiated the Phase 2 studies of SNS-595 in small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer in 2006 to evaluate the compound's activity as a single agent in the second-line treatment setting. Both clinical trials utilized a two-stage design, enabling an interim assessment of clinical activity in order to determine next steps for the compound's evaluation in each tumor indication. All patients received doses of 48 mg/m2 every three weeks, the maximum-tolerated dose identified in Phase 1 clinical trials. Consistent with prior findings, SNS-595 was generally well-tolerated.

Sunesis' Phase 2 small cell lung cancer clinical trial included two arms of relapsed or refractory patients -- treatment sensitive and treatment refractory. With nine of eleven evaluable patients in the treatment-sensitive arm of the trial having stable disease or objective responses by the end of two cycles of treatment, the clinical results have exceeded the pre-specified requirement of at least two partial or complete responses in the first 20 evaluable patients for advancing to Stage 2. Based on the interim data analysis reported today, Sunesis plans to continue Phase 2 clinical evaluation of SNS-595 in treatment-sensitive small cell lung cancer patients who had previously responded to first-line therapy, but subsequently relapsed after more than three months. At the completion of the study, all radiographs will be centrally reviewed.

In the second arm of the Phase 2 small cell lung cancer trial, twenty evaluable patients classified as treatment refractory (defined as those who relapsed after less than three months or never responded to front-line treatment) were enrolled. Although there were reports of stable disease, and one minor response, none of the patients in this arm of the trial achieved an objective response. Based on these data, Sunesis will discontinue enrollment in this arm of the small cell lung cancer study.

"SNS-595 has thus far shown promising results in relapsed patients with front-line treatment-sensitive small cell lung cancer, warranting further clinical investigation," said David S. Ettinger, M.D., Department of Oncology, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center and a lead investigator on the Sunesis SNS-595 study. "Small cell lung cancer patients have few new treatment options and disease recurrence rates and fatalities in this type of lung cancer are unfortunately high. The investigators and I look forward to enrolling the additional patients required to complete the study expeditiously and to evaluating the complete results of this Phase 2 study."

Sunesis' Phase 2 clinical trial of non-small cell lung cancer patients enrolled a total of 25 evaluable patients who had previously failed first-line therapy. Over 50 percent of patients achieved stable disease or better, including some minor and mixed responses. However, objective responses as defined by RECIST criteria have not been observed to date. Based on the strict requirements of the trial design, Sunesis does not expect to enroll additional patients in this trial; three patients remain on study. Based on the activity observed, the company will consider additional clinical evaluation of SNS-595 in combination with other anti-cancer agents in patients with non-small cell lung cancer once the complete results from this trial have been fully evaluated.

"SNS-595 is a promising cell-cycle inhibitor with broad clinical potential in cancer. We are particularly encouraged by the signs of anti-tumor activity observed to date in the small cell lung cancer trial. While no objective responses were reported, SNS-595 showed suggestions of clinical activity in the non-small cell lung cancer trial, including minor and mixed responses," said Daniel C. Adelman, M.D., Sunesis' Senior Vice President, Research and Development. "These two-stage trials were designed with strict criteria for advancement from the first to the second stages in order to provide early clinical read-outs on signals of anticancer activity and to allow us to focus our resources on the most promising indications for further development. The interim data announced today achieve these objectives, and provide clear guidance to continue the evaluation of SNS-595 as a single agent in the relapsed, front-line sensitive small cell lung cancer setting."

Sunesis will submit complete data from both trials for peer-reviewed presentation later this year.

About SNS-595

SNS-595 is a promising novel cell-cycle inhibitor currently in a Phase 1 acute leukemia clinical trial and Phase 2 lung and ovarian cancer clinical studies. SNS-595, a naphthyridine analog, has a novel mechanism of action that selectively targets and kills proliferating cells during the DNA replication phase of the cell cycle. SNS-595 works through the DNA-protein kinase and p73 dependent pathways to induce apoptosis, or programmed cell death. In clinical trials conducted to date, SNS-595 has been well tolerated and has shown promising signs of clinical activity in both solid and hematological tumor types. In earlier preclinical evaluation, SNS-595 demonstrated broad and potent activity across xenograft, syngeneic and drug- resistant models.

Conference Call Information

Management will host a conference call to discuss the data disclosed in this press release. The conference call will take place at 11:00 a.m. EST/8:00 a.m. PST today (Monday January 29, 2007).

Individual and institutional investors can access the call via (800) 289-0544 (U.S. and Canada) or (913) 981-5533 (international). To access the live audio broadcast or the subsequent archived recording, visit the "Investors and Media - Calendar of Events" section of the Sunesis website at http://www.sunesis.com . Please log on to Sunesis' website several minutes prior to the start of the presentation to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be necessary.

Other Business

Sunesis announced today that it has named Zelanna Goldberg, M.D., Associate Director, Clinical Science. The Compensation Committee of the company's Board of Directors approved an employment commencement grant of a non-qualified stock option to purchase 15,000 shares of Sunesis common stock, effective January 31, 2007. This option award was granted without shareholder approval pursuant to Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 4350 (i)(1)(A)(iv) and with the following material terms: (a) an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the company's common stock on the grant date, (b) a term of 10 years, and (c) a vesting schedule providing that the option is exercisable as to 1/4 of the total grant on the first anniversary of Dr. Goldberg's hire, and 1/48th of the total grant each month thereafter until each grant is fully vested.

About Sunesis Pharmaceuticals

Sunesis is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of novel small molecule therapeutics for oncology and other serious diseases. Sunesis has built a broad product candidate portfolio through internal discovery and in-licensing of novel cancer therapeutics. Sunesis is advancing its product candidates through in-house research and development efforts and strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies.

http://www.bio.com/newsfeatures/newsfeatures_industry.jhtml?cid=25800012

Alumina posts strong earnings

ALUMINA has forecast increased production in 2007 after today reporting a 62 per cent rise in full-year earnings.

The bauxite miner, and aluminium refiner and smelter today reported an annual net profit for calender 2006 of $511.1 million, up from $315.6 million in 2005.

Alumina's sole asset is its 40 per cent stake in Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC), with Alcoa holding the remaining 60 per cent.

Alumina said today that AWAC's production this year will increase on improved performance from several of its refineries. But it also flagged an expected increase in costs.

Alumina said AWAC's operating costs are forecast to increase by about $US4.00 per tonne, due to higher average energy prices and bauxite and shipping costs.

Aluminium sales and production at Point Henry and Portland smelters are forecast to increase marginally in 2007, the company said.

http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,10166,21152583-462,00.html?from=public_rss

Ruias ink deal with Eastman Chemical

Essar Chemicals Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding with Eastman Chemical Company to produce oxo and oxo derivatives for the domestic market.

Both the companies will undertake a feasibility study for a 1,50,000-tonne-per-year oxo aldehyde plant. These are used to manufacture end-use products such as coatings, paints, solvents and plasticisers. The project is estimated at $125 million. The unit will be set up near Essar Oil’s refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat from where the main feedstock, propylene, will be supplied.

Essar Group director Anshuman Ruia said, “The group is firmly on the path of expanding value chain in all its businesses and this foray would enhance the potential of Essar Oil’s refinery. Joining hands with Eastman is the first step in the value chain integration of Essar’s refining business.”

Eastman manufactures and markets chemicals, fibres and plastics worldwide. It provides key differentiated coatings, adhesives and speciality plastic products. It is the world’s largest producer of PET polymers for packaging and is a major supplier of cellulose acetate fibres. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Kingsport, US, Eastman posted sales of $7 billion in 2005.

“This relationship will help us expand our presence in India. We have the oxo and oxo derivatives technologies and Essar has refinery products upstream of oxo processes at a significantly advantaged cost. The combination will ensure that the investment secures the margins we need,” Robert J. Preston, vice-president and managing director of Eastman’s Asia-Pacific, said.

Meanwhile, the Ruias are planning to delist two of their remaining companies — Essar Steel and Essar Oil — from local stock exchanges.

The two companies would seek approval from their boards on January 29 and 30 to delist from Bombay and National stock exchanges.

Last year, the group delisted three other companies — Essar Shipping and Essar Teleholdings from domestic bourses and BPO arm Aegis Communications from the US market.

The group, which is eyeing Hutchison Telecom's 67 per cent stake in Hutchison Essar, said the delisting was aimed at gaining more flexibility in running the companies.
Top

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070129/asp/business/story_7319941.asp

Capital to Clamp Down on Chemicals

Beijing Vice-Mayor Lu Hao promised that authorities in the capital would ensure the security of toxic and hazardous chemicals during the 2008 Olympic Games.

Lu made these remarks at the Fifth Session of the 12th Beijing Municipal People's Congress over the weekend, according to a report by the Beijing News.

He said that over the past two years, authorities in Beijing had compiled a handbook on how to deal with possible accidents involving the capital's 254 toxic and hazardous chemical factories, transported chemicals and chemicals that are frequently used in daily life.

The handbook provides detailed explanations of what procedures, officials and materials should be involved in any response to accidents involving hazardous materials.

In response to the growing number of accidents involving toxic and hazardous chemicals in recent years, the authorities have tightened their management of such materials, for example, by requiring that they be registered.

The registration of new, dangerous, toxic or hazardous chemical substances is a necessary part of official efforts to protect the environment, Gao Yingxin, director of the State Environmental Protection Administration's (SEPA) Chemical Registration Center, said at a recent workshop.

Gao said registration would help the public understand that chemical substances could pose a threat to public safety, and help the environmental watchdog ensure that such materials are handled properly.

Citing the complexity of the process, Gao suggested that enterprises hire professional agencies to help them register chemicals.

Despite such measures, the possibility of an environmental catastrophe occurring at one of the country's chemical factories remains high.

The country's major waterways have been severely polluted by factories built along their banks, a source from SEPA said.

A review of 127 major chemical and petrochemical projects found that many were located too close to major bodies of water.

Inspections of existing chemical facilities, prompted by an explosion in November 2005 that released tons of toxic chemicals in the Songhua River, found 20 with serious environmental safety problems.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/817562/capital_to_clamp_down_on_chemicals/index.html?source=r_science

Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc Announces Fourth Quarter 2006 Earnings Conference Call

Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. will host a teleconference to discuss its Fourth Quarter 2006 results on Thursday, March 15, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Interested parties are asked to dial-in approximately 10 minutes before the call begins at the following numbers:

U.S. Participants: 866.713.8310

International Participants: 617.597.5308

Participant Passcode: 51283362

Live Internet access to the call will be available through the Investors Section of the Company's website: www.hexion.com.

A replay of the call will be available for three weeks beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, March 15, 2007. The playback can be accessed by dialing 888-286-8010 (U.S.) and 617-801-6888 (International). The passcode is 54784394. A replay and transcript will also be available on the Investors Section of the company's website: www.hexion.com.

About the Company

Based in Columbus, Ohio, Hexion Specialty Chemicals combines the former Borden Chemical, Bakelite, Resolution Performance Products and Resolution Specialty Materials companies into the global leader in thermoset resins. Hexion serves the global wood and industrial markets through a broad range of thermoset technologies, specialty products and technical support for customers in a diverse range of applications and industries. Hexion Specialty Chemicals is owned by an affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/818704/hexion_specialty_chemicals_inc_announces_fourth_quarter_2006_earnings_conference/index.html?source=r_science

Valuation of the Chemicals Manufacturing Industry

The chemicals manufacturing industry includes establishments producing basic chemicals and establishments manufacturing products by predominantly chemical processes. Companies in the industry make a diverse range of products including acids, salts, and other organic chemicals, synthetic fibers, plastics, pigments, cosmetics, soaps, paints, fertilizers, and explosives. The manufacturing of pharmaceutical compounds is a major segment of the chemicals industry. The industry makes products both for direct consumer use and for use in industrial manufacturing.

The Chemicals Sector

The chemicals manufacturing industry offers a diverse range of products used by a wide range of industrial sectors including electronics, agriculture, aerospace, and biotechnology. Industrial products offered by the chemicals industry include plastics, finishes, adhesives, sealants, and fibers. Sales in the chemicals sector vary across the wide range of products offered.

The chemicals industry has benefited over the past few years from ongoing growth in the industrial sector, which has created demand for a number of chemical products. It is not certain, however, that profits from the industrial market will continue to rise. The manufacturing economy's rate of expansion in October 2006 was its lowest in more than three years, according to data from the Institute for Supply Management. In addition, new orders and production in the industrial sector have been trending lower. Further decline in industrial manufacturing will likely decrease demand for industrial chemical products.

Growing interest in the development of biofuels, coupled with strong demand for food products, is expected to drive growth in corn and other crops. As a result, demand for fertilizers and agricultural chemical products should be strong over the coming year.

The search for new fuels may also promote further DUMMY TEXT ARTICLE 1; BATCH 2 developments in the chemicals industry. DuPont has entered into a partnership with ethanol producer Broin Cos. to build a US refinery capable of using corn products to develop ethanol. DuPont is developing technology to break down the complex sugar matrix found in corn into ethanol.

The Pharmaceuticals Sector

The pharmaceuticals sector performed better in the stock market in 2006 than in 2005. In 2005, potential investors in the industry were concerned with legal battles, patent expirations, and other issues. In 2006, the drug sector was the second-best stock performer in the overall healthcare industry, with the medical supplies sector taking the lead. Specialty drugmakers and large-cap makers of branded drugs fared particularly well on the stock market in 2006.

Profits for the pharmaceuticals industry have risen as a result of cost-cutting measures taken by many companies. Sales volumes have also received a boost from the Medicare drug benefits program that began in January 2006. Major drug companies, including Schering- Plough, Pfizer, and Merck, exceeded profit expectations in the first three quarters of 2006. Analysts have predicted that industry earnings will continue to rise through 2007 and into 2008.

The drug industry may have to face challenges in the political arena. With the Democrats holding both chambers of Congress, it is more likely that the pharmaceuticals sector will be challenged with legislation seeking to control drug pricing and promote public access to generic medicines.

Mergers and Acquisitions

The chemicals sector has seen a number of significant M&A deals over the past years. Agrium invested in the fertilizer sector with the acquisitions of Royster-Clark and Nu-Gro, along with the purchase of certain assets of Pursell Technologies. Georgia Gulf acquired vinyl products maker Royal Group and Dow Chemical has agreed to acquire cellulose chemical company Wolff Walsrode from Bayer. In July 2006, investment firm Madison Capital Partners bought German plastics firm Mannesmann Plastics Machinery GmbH.

The number of chemicals industry M&A deals in the large-cap market has risen steadily each year since 2002. The deals have fluctuated greatly in price relative to revenues and assets, however.

Outlook

Although the diverse range of chemical products makes it difficult to predict the industry's fortunes, the future for the sector appears cautiously optimistic. Industrial demand for plastics, resins, and other chemical products should continue, despite a slow down in the manufacturing sector. Profits are rising in the pharmaceuticals sector as well, although the drug industry may face challenges from lawmakers in Washington.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/819602/valuation_of_the_chemicals_manufacturing_industry/index.html?source=r_science

Alcar Chemicals Continues Take Over Talks With US Sustainable Energy Corp

Alcar Chemical Group Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ACMG) announces today that it is continuing talks with US Sustainable Energy Corp. for the acquisition of controlling interest in Alcar Chemicals Group Inc. to proceed towards a US expansion for an estimated USD $280 million, representing approximately $2.00 per share.

According to the company, Alcar Chemicals Group and US Sustainable Energy Corp. have progressed beyond the memorandum of understanding and would sign a letter of intent to outline the terms and condition by which US Sustainable Energy Corp. would acquire the controlling interest of Alcar Chemicals Group Inc. The companies plan to sign a letter of intent on or before February 19, 2007.

"This take-over by US Sustainable Energy Corp. is truly welcome at this phase of our development. It will enable the company to expand its non-food based ethanol technology quickly throughout North-America," said Dr. Cavasin, CEO of Alcar Chemicals Group. "The progress we have made with our technology continues to spark interest in our industry world wide and is quickly becoming the next contender," further added Dr. Cavasin.

About The Alcar Group

The Alcar Chemicals Group (PINKSHEETS: ACMG) represents a significant market opportunity due to a serious worldwide supply shortage of raw materials for polymers as well as an increased requirement for ethanol and biodiesel. ACMG has been concentrating on innovative methods for biomass (forestry waste, agricultural waste and non-food crop) valorization for the past decade, specifically petroleum-independent fuel and plastics resin production. Its proprietary technology represents today's most economical and advanced manufacturing process for plastic raw materials, ethanol and bio-diesel, allowing production at cost savings of up to 40% when compared to current production methods.

Important Information About Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this news release that are other than statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements, which contain our current expectations about our future results. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. We have attempted to identify any forward-looking statements by using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "could," "expects," "intends," "may," "should" and other similar expressions. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in all of our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct.

A number of factors may affect our future results and may cause those results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Such factors include our limited operating history; our need for significant capital to finance internal growth as well as strategic acquisitions; our ability to attract and retain key employees and strategic partners; our ability to achieve and maintain profitability; fluctuations in the trading price and volume of our stock; competition from other providers of similar products and services; and other unanticipated future events and conditions.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=209337&tsource=3

AEC Announces Addition of Two New Chemicals to Its By Product Offering

Alternate Energy Corporation (OTCBB: ARGY) announced that it has filed provisional patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to protect the development of two new proprietary processes for the production of a third and fourth commodity chemical by-product. Both by-products are made while simultaneously producing the Company's economical bulk hydrogen. These two additional by-products, potentially the most profitable to date, complement the Company's existing family of commodity chemical derivatives, now totaling four.

Mr. Blaine Froats, Chairman & CEO of AEC, stated, "Early market analysis indicates that our third commodity chemical by-product, a recognized food ingredient, has a world-market opportunity of $3.6 billion annually that is growing steadily at a rate of 4%. This represents the largest and most accessible market of the four by-products we can produce so far. The fourth by-product, commonly used in water purification, has an estimated market size exceeding $3 billion annually."

Under the terms of a provisional patent, the Company has one year to 'fine tune' its processes before they become officially filed. To spearhead this initiative, the Company has retained a specialized chemical consulting firm, led by Steve J. Bodzay, Ph.D., Chemistry, McGill University, with a background in organic chemistry. His firm, Bodzay & Company, Inc., will work with AEC's technical staff towards the certified refinement of its most recently developed by-products. Dr. Bodzay was referred to AEC by Mr. David I. Gordon, Advisory Board member and Vice-President, Secretary Treasurer of Experchem Laboratories Inc.

Mr. Froats continued, "It has been AEC's longstanding objective to insure product diversification by continuing to develop a wide range of valued by-products which can be readily sold into large and established global markets in high volume, with minimal impact on price. We are pleased with the recent advances made with the development of two new by-products and welcome the expertise of a specialized organic chemist to assist us with their further refinement.

"While it has taken a bit longer than expected to move forward with other initiatives, such as the BOM Brasil project, the need to have the provisional patent application filed for these latest by-products made delays in other areas unavoidable. AEC remains on track with its goal to have its first bulk hydrogen production plant installed and in production as soon as is feasibly possible," Mr. Froats concluded.

About Alternate Energy Corporation (AEC; www.cleanwatts.com)

Alternate Energy Corporation (AEC) is energizing the hydrogen economy with a novel technology that provides bulk production of hydrogen and saleable chemical by-products. These systems have global opportunities in multiple market segments. AEC's proprietary discovery in metallurgy and process technology permits the generation of hydrogen through an environmentally "green" process at a competitive price. AEC believes its systems can have a revolutionary impact on a wide range of global industries.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Statements herein express management's beliefs and expectations regarding future performance and are forward looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, raising working capital and securing other financing; responding to competition and rapidly changing technology; and other risks. These risks are detailed in AEC's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms SB-2, 10-KSB, 10-QSB and 8-K. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements.

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=209905&tsource=3

Great Barrington Oil Facility to Pay Fine for Clean Water and Chemical Inventory Violations

John B. Hull, Inc., a Massachusetts fuel supply company, has agreed to pay $60,000 in penalties to resolve alleged violations of environmental laws at its oil storage and distribution facility in Great Barrington, Mass.

EPA cited the firm for a 2004 oil spill, for allegedly failing to adequately plan for and guard against oil spills at its facility, and for late filing of a “Tier II Emergency and Hazardous Chemicals Inventory” form with state and local authorities.

According to an administrative complaint filed by EPA's New England office, John B. Hull, Inc. illegally discharged approximately 1,600 gallons of diesel fuel from piping connected to two of its above ground storage tanks in Feb. 2004. The facility is located approximately 100 feet from the Housatonic River and an unknown quantity of the discharged oil reached the river. The oil discharge prompted an emergency response from the local fire department and the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection. The spill was reported to the National Response Center.

EPA’s administrative complaint cited the company for violations of the federal Clean Water Act for the illegal discharge, and for failure to have an adequate "Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure" (SPCC) plan in place at its facility, as required by the law. SPCC Plans, which must be certified by a Registered Professional Engineer, specify spill prevention and response measures at facilities that store oil above threshold amounts.

The EPA complaint claimed that the facility’s most recent SPCC plan, completed in 1993, did not adequately address potential oil spill hazards. Specifically, the company failed to provide adequate oil containment measures for all of its aboveground oil storage tanks and oil transfer areas and had failed to complete a review and evaluation of its SPCC plan at least once every three years, as required by the regulations.

Recently the facility has taken steps to correct its SPCC plan and upgrade its oil storage tanks and secondary containment systems. The facility has cleaned out and removed its five largest bulk oil storage tanks and upgraded spill protection systems for the remaining oil tanks and transfer areas, and the company has prepared and fully implemented an SPCC plan that meets all federal requirements.

“Oil spills can do significant damage to the environment,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England office. “EPA will continue to ensure that facilities handling oils follow established procedures to minimize risks of oil spills.”

EPA filed an amended complaint on Jan. 16, 2007 alleging that facility was required under Section 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (“EPCRA”) to file an Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Form (“Tier II form”) with state and local authorities, and that the facility had filed its 2005 Tier II form more than seven months late. The threshold reporting quantity for oil or oil products under Section 312 of EPCRA is 10,000 pounds. EPA alleged that the facility used or stored more than 200 times the threshold reporting quantity of oil in 2005.

Spill prevention and control laws help ensure that a tank failure or spill does not lead to oil being released into rivers or streams, and EPCRA Section 312 reporting ensures that emergency planning and response personnel are able to respond safely and effectively in the event of a release.

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/E487A8616CF6156B85257274006DF113

Tata Chemicals and Tata International sign MOUs

Tata Chemicals Limited and Tata International Limited have entered into two memoranda of understanding (MOUs), one for imports of fuels and raw materials for Tata Chemicals and the other for overseas marketing of Tata Chemicals' products.

Prasad Menon, managing director, Tata Chemicals and Sudhir Deoras, managing director, Tata International on 25 March 2005 at Bombay House, signed the MOUs.

Under the Imports MOU, Tata International and its overseas subsidiaries will organise the imports of the entire requirements of Thermal Coal and Anthracite of Tata Chemical's Mithapur plant, the entire Sulphur requirements of Tata Chemical's Haldia plant, while imports of rock phosphate will be for quantities not covered under JVs that Tata Chemicals may have with overseas suppliers.

The overseas marketing MOU provides for exports of soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, etc to specified markets.

Menon emphasised the need to look at additional opportunities of businesses for benefit to both the companies. Deoras desired that Tata International and Tata Chemicals look at providing a strategic basis to the cooperation.

The MOUs will further strengthen the relationship between the two companies and provide for a systematic working to attain the objectives. A steering committee has been set up to guide and review the performance of the companies. The steering committee will report to both the MDs.

The MOUs cover an annual sales turnover estimated at over Rs 290 crore at the current levels of prices.

http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/releases/20050328.htm

Tata Chemicals and Tata International sign MoU for overseas marketing and imports of raw materials

Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) and Tata International Limited (TIL) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding, at Mumbai on 25 March 2005 at Bombay House. According to the MoU, TIL or its wholly owned subsidiaries - Tata South East Asia Limited (TSEA) / Tata West Asia Limited (TWA), shall sell to TCL the agreed raw Materials for Mithapur and Haldia on a principal-to-principal basis. The parties also entered into an agreement for the Overseas Marketing of the agreed products from Mithapur and Haldia.

Prasad Menon, MD, Tata Chemicals and S L Deoras, MD, Tata International, were present on the occasion and signed the MoU on behalf of the companies. The MoU comes into force with effect from April 1, 2005 and will be valid for three years with formal reviews at the end of the first and second year by the Steering Committee. The MoU can be terminated or extended by mutual agreement between both parties.


http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/releases/20050404.htm

Tata West Asia signs agreement with Tata Chemicals for marketing branded salt in West Asia region

Sudhir Deoras, managing director, Tata International and director, Tata West Asia (TWA) and Prasad Menon, managing director, Tata Chemicals (TCL) signed an agreement on April 27, 2005, in Mumbai. Under the terms of this agreement, Tata West Asia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata International, is responsible for the marketing of TCL’s branded salt in West Asia region.

TWA has developed a new brand identity for Tata Salt for this region with the help of a marketing consultant. Tata Salt will be marketed as “Topp”, and positioned on a platform of purity.

Topp will be available in iodized and super refined variants and in a 750 gm plastic dispenser pack as well as a 1000 gms refill pack. Topp will be launched in the United Arab Emirates shortly and in Oman, Qatar and Bahrain in the next few months. Topp will also be available in
Kuwait and Saudi Arabia in the next phase of the programme.

At the signing ceremony, Sudhir Deoras and Prasad Menon conveyed their best wishes for the success of Topp. Satish Sohoni, chief operating officer, food additives business, TCL praised the effort and interest demonstrated by TWA during the preparatory phase of the project, and hoped that Topp would do well.

http://tatawestside.com/tata_international/releases/20050429.htm

Tata Chemicals introduces Indias first free flowing table Topp Salt dispenser

Tata Chemicals, the pioneers and leaders of branded iodized salt, has introduced India’s first free flowing table top salt dispenser. Packed in a classy see-through bottle Tata Topp Salt Sprinkler is specially designed to avoid problems like top clogging and moisture seeping in the bottle.

Topp Salt Sprinkler promises to make the use of tabletop salt more convenient and also adds a touch of class to tabletop salt usage. Backed by a strong aesthetic appeal and the functional benefits of a sprinkler, Topp Salt Sprinkler promises to be a boon for the consumers.

Tata Topp Salt Sprinkler is available in a pack of 100 grams, priced at Rs 10. It is available across cities like Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Ludhiana.

“In the Indian households, the name of salt is synonymous with Tata Salt. Being one of India’s most respected brands, Topp Salt Dispenser is the latest addition from the house of Tata’s. A premium product that is both aesthetically appealing and functionally sound, we are confident that Topp Salt Sprinkler will become very popular among the consumers.” says Satish Sohoni, chief operating officer, food additives business, Tata Chemicals.


http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/releases/20050804.htm

Tata Chemicals acquires controlling stake in Brunner Mond Group UK

Tata Chemicals (TCL), through its subsidiary has signed definitive agreements with the selling shareholders viz Wayland Investments and Barclays Bank for acquiring 63.5 per cent stake in the UK based Brunner Mond Group UK (BM), for a total consideration of about Rs 508 crore.

The Brunner Mond Group manufactures soda ash and sodium bicarbonate and has manufacturing locations in three countries – UK, Netherlands and Kenya. With this acquisition, TCL will now be one of the leading producers of soda ash in the world.

Prasad Menon, managing director, Tata Chemicals, said, "This is yet another milestone on our journey towards becoming a globally competitive company. As a first step towards internationalisation, earlier this year, we became an equal partner in Indo Maroc Phosphore S.A. (IMACID), a company manufacturing phosphoric acid in Morocco. The combined entity of Brunner Mond and Tata Chemicals will now propel us further to greater strengths in technology, customer relationships and cost leadership. Furthermore, it will consolidate our position as a leading manufacturer of Soda Ash in the world."

This acquisition makes TCL one of the most diversified companies with manufacturing facilities in three continents and markets across the world. This deal will add over 1,000 employees across Africa and Europe. The total Soda Ash production capacity of the combined entity will now be close to 3 million tones per annum.

http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/releases/20051226.htm

Tata Chemicals decides to exit detergents business

Tata Chemicals, on Wednesday, announced its intent to exit from the detergents business. "The company is in discussion with potential buyers for the business and expects to exit from the detergents business during the December quarter," a company press release said.

The Financial Express had, on August 28, reported that the company plans to exit the detergents business as part of an internal restructuring plan. The detergents business, however, accounts for just around two per cent of the company's business. Key Tata Chemicals detergent brands are Shudh and Rakshak.

Tata Chemicals vice president marketing Kapil Mehan also indicated that the cement and urea businesses (which accounts for 50 per cent of business) are also under review. Speculation is, however, rife on the imminent sale of its cement business as well in the short-term.

An official spokesperson of Tata Chemicals had earlier said no decision had been taken on the sale of the cement business but management studies were continuing on long-term marketing and viability issues.

Sources, however, affirm that the management is clearly looking out for a buyer for the cement business, as well. Tata Chemicals' cement is marketed by the Associated Cement Companies. The cement business sales at Rs 52.52 crore in 1999-2000, were higher by 33 per cent over the previous year. The company is into the manufacture of pozzolana portland cement and its clinker production capacity stands at 3.2 lakh tonnes.

Tata Chemicals has, in the recent past, witnessed a host of top-level management changes including the stepping down of managing director Manu Seth. The company has since announced that Mr Prasad R Menon, who is currently the technical director and agri business sector chief at the Nagarjuna Group, will be the new managing director of the company.

The company's businesses have been under pressure with soda ash impacted by Chinese dumping, and urea being a controlled fertiliser suffering from a reduction in the retention price fixed by the government.

Tata Chemicals reported a 35 per cent drop in net profit in the fiscal 1999-2000 to Rs 117.3 crore from Rs 182 crore last year. Sales increased marginally to Rs 1,521 crore from Rs 1,464 crore during the year.

http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/media/20000928.htm

Tata Chem merges arm Sabras to fatten bottom line

Tata Chemicals has found a convenient way to prop up its bottom line and reduce tax liability in a difficult year by merging its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sabras Investment, with itself.

The company’s shareholders had approved the merger at an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday. With the merger, profits on sale of investments held by Sabras will directly accrue to Tata Chemicals.

Sabras held 65.65 lakh ACC shares at the end of March 2000. This block of ACC shares is to be sold to Gujarat Ambuja group at Rs 370 a share during the current year, in line with the plans of the Tata Group to completely divest its stake in ACC.

The sale of the block of ACC shares will lead to a capital gain of Rs 207.75 crore. After paying capital gains tax, the net profit on sale of ACC shares would have gone to Tata Chemicals by way of dividend.

Sabras would have paid dividend tax of 22 per cent on the amount paid to Tata Chemicals as dividend.

In the hands of Tata Chemicals, the dividend from Sabras would have been tax free. But, if Tata Chemicals distributed the dividend it received from Sabras as dividend to its shareholders, it would again be required to pay a dividend tax of 22 per cent. This can be construed as some form of double taxation.

With the merger, double payment of dividend tax on profit on sale of investments, including that on ACC shares, is avoided. The merger is effective from April 1, 2000.

When contacted by the Economic Times, top Tata Chemicals officials said: "The merger will help the company save on its tax liability, as otherwise there would be an incidence of double taxation on dividend payout."

The official also confirmed that the decision to merge the investment company was taken as "it was a cost-effective way to bolster the bottom line of Tata Chemicals."

Sabras earned pre-tax profit of Rs 160 crore for 1999-2000. Of this, Rs 153.41 crore was on account of sale of investments. Sabras paid a dividend of Rs 200 per share (Rs 100 paid-up) and distributed Rs 17.60 crore for 1999-00.

Tata Chemicals earned dividend income of Rs 37.07 crore, including Rs 17.60 crore from Sabras.

Sabras has already sold nearly 42 lakh ACC shares to Gujarat Ambuja during the current year, since March 31. It currently holds 23,68,587 equity shares in ACC, which constitutes a 1.39 per cent equity capital of ACC.

Sabras Investments’ average cost of the ACC holding is around Rs 53.58 per share, which will translate into a profit of Rs 316.42 per share in the cement company.

Also, Tata Chemicals holds 5.65 lakh ACC shares (0.33 per cent), which will generate another profit of Rs 20.85 crore. Out of the Tata Group’s current stake of 3 per cent plus in ACC, Sabras Investments has the largest share at 1.39 per cent.

The remaining stake is shared by Tata Sons (0.71 per cent), Tata Chemicals (0.33 per cent), Tata Tea (0.12 per cent) and Bambino Investments (0.48 per cent).

The Tata Group, it may be recalled, has already divested around 10.3 per cent stake that it held in ACC to Gujarat Ambuja at Rs 370 per share.

Apart from its holdings in ACC, Sabras Investments holds large equity investments in some other Tata Group companies, including Tata Tea, Rallis India, Tata Telecom and Tata Finance.

Tata Chemicals is in the process of finalising a major restructuring programme after its profitability took a severe hit during the last fiscal.

For the financial year ended March 31, 2000, Tata Chemicals has reported a lower profit of Rs 117.29 crore against Rs 181.67 crore in the previous year.

Heavy dumping from China and reduction in retention prices of urea have negatively impacted its core soda ash and fertiliser businesses. With global soda ash capacities lying unutilised, the pressure on prices will continue in the current year.

The bleak outlook has forced the management to refocus the operations of the company.

The company is also planning to strike marketing alliances with established domestic players, since its non-core businesses like cement and detergents do not have critical mass.


http://tatawestside.com/tata_chemicals/media/20000904.htm

Mitsubishi Chemical Launches Sales Subsidiary in China

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) has announced that a sales subsidiary for marketing the MCC Group products and procuring materials in China launches operations as of January 3, 2007.

MCC established subsidiary Mitsubishi Chemical Hong Kong Limited in 1972, and then its local offices were established in Shanghai and Guangzhou. These offices have supported sales activities in the Group.

MCC hopes to develop wide-ranging businesses in the Chinese market by employing the sales subsidiary as a sales base in China. The sales subsidiary will deal with not only sales activities of the MCC Group products, but also environmental business such as licensing of resource-saving and energy-saving technologies in the future.

http://www.japancorp.net/Article.Asp?Art_ID=13949

Niskayuna chemical company gets Canadian distribution

SI Group Inc.,a Niskayuna chemical company, has entered into a distribution relationship with Canada Colors and Chemicals Ltd.

The Don Mills, Ontario, company will represent SI Group, formerly known as Schenectady International, in Canada.

Canada Colors and Chemicals is the largest independent distributor of chemical products in Canada and the sixth largest in North America.

Canada Colors is primarily distributing alkaloids used in paint manufacturing produced at SI Group's plant outside of Toronto. The company also distributes products made at SI Group's other plants, said corporate spokeswoman Kim Perone.

SI Group is a family owned company that has 20 operations in 13 countries. SI Group also has a resins plant in Rotterdam Junction.

http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2007/01/08/daily24.html?surround=lfn

Novartis to build first raw materials facility in China

Switzerland-based Novartis is building its first chemical raw material development and production base on the Chinese mainland.

The foundation of the project was laid in Suzhou City, east China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday, according to a company official.

The official said the project will cost 83 million U.S. dollars.

The base, due to start operation at the end of 2007, will be an important part of the Novartis' global supply chain, providing chemical raw materials for medicines for the global market, the official added.

The project will include a new development center for chemical medicines and two workshops designed to produce intermediates for innovative pharmaceuticals to be used to treat leukaemia, epilepsy and hypertension.

A Fortune 500 company, Novartis garnered 32.2 billion U.S.dollars in sales income last year, including 1.97 billion Renminbi yuan (some 240 million U.S. dollars) in China. It has launched five enterprises in the country, with a combined investment of more than 100 million U.S. dollars.

http://www.supplychain.cn/en/art/?518

Cabot opens new plant in China

Cabot Corp., a maker of fumed silica and carbon black that has operations in Billerica, said it has completed a $27 million fumed silica manufacturing plant in China.

The plant was developed through the company's Cabot China Ltd. subsidiary, which partnered with Blue New Chemical Materials Co. Ltd. Cabot said the facility has an annual capacity of 4,800 metric tons. Fumed silica is a material used in the creation of optical fiber for telecommunications.

Carbon black, Cabot's other specialty, is used to reinforce rubber as well as an ingredient in paints, inks and polishes. Cabot reported 2005 sales of $2.1 billion.

http://www.supplychain.cn/en/art/?950

Hercules to Build Manufacturing Plant in Nanjing

Hercules Incorporated (NYSE: HPC) announced that its Aqualon business unit will build a world-scale manufacturing plant in Nanjing, China for its hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) family of products.

Hercules signed a Letter of Intent today with the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP), where the plant will be located. The NCIP is a modern, highly integrated chemical manufacturing complex strategically located with excellent logistics to supply Chinese and export customers. The new plant's annual production capacity will be 15,000 metric tons and is expected to start up in mid-2008.

http://www.supplychain.cn/en/art/?1296

Swedish paper maker opens new factory in Guangzhou

SWEDEN'S Eka Chemicals AB inaugurated a paper chemicals plant in Guangzhou yesterday to tap the rapidly growing Chinese paper industry and double its presence in the country.

The 4.4 million euro (US$5.8 million) site, with an annual production capacity of 24,000 tons of paper sizing chemicals, will help serve the southern China market.

In 1999 the company established a similar plant in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province with the same capacity, mainly targeting the eastern market.

Company executives said the new plant in the Guangzhou Economic & Technological Development District was strategically located close to the Pearl River Delta port area and can also serve as an export base for other areas in Asia Pacific.

Jan Svard, Eka's president, said the global demand growth for paper was moving to emerging markets like China.

He said China's paper market was growing at an annual rate of five percent, more than doubling the world average, on strong demand.

Eka is a global leader in bleaching technology and paper chemistry with a turnover of 889 million euros last year. It is the pulp and paper chemicals unit of Dutch chemical group Akzo Nobel NV.

"The demand for paper and board in China is among the highest in the world. With the trend to continue, we need to ensure that we remain a leading supplier in the market," Svard said.

He also said the Suzhou facility would start producing paper coatings chemicals next year.

The Guangzhou plant has 15 employees and staff numbers may expand as demand grows, officials said. The Suzhou facility has 90 people as it houses Eka's administration team in China.

Eka also said they are looking to start their own research and development operations on the Chinese mainland.

http://www.supplychain.cn/en/art/?1299

Is Ethanol The Alternative Fuel

Ethanol (commonly called "Alcohol") has assumed a very important place in the world’s economy. It is a vital raw material for a number of chemicals. It has been a major source of revenue by way of excise duty for the Governments.

Industrial alcohol produced from sugarcane molasses has a significant role to play in the world's economy. Alcohol is a by-product of sugar industry which is linked to agriculture. Sugarcane crop is a renewable source of energy. Therefore alcohol produced from molasses deserves a preferential place as a substitute feed stock for chemicals industry to bridge the gap in any country’s energy needs for increasing requirement for potable purpose. Sugarcane can also be directly used to produce ethanol.

Alcohol Based Chemicals

Ethyl Alcohol is an important feed stock for the manufacture of chemicals. These chemicals are Acetic Acid, Acetone, Butanol, Butadiene, Acetic Anhydride, Vinyl acetate, styrene, MEG PVC etc. Synthetic rubber industry also requires large quantity Of Alcohol. The main product INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL is used in the manufacturing of the following Alcohol based chemicals, the uses of which are also given below.

a) Acetaldehyde : Can be used for industrial use as Chemicals derivatives Pharmaceutical applications and synthetic resins and for manufacture of Acetic Acid.

b) Acetic Acid : Used in Pharmaceuticals applications, Textiles, Dyestuffs, Ethyl Acetate, and is the basic chemical for Alcohol based chemicals via Acetaldehyde route...

c) Acetic Anhydride : Used in Bulk Drug manufacturing

d) Ethyl Acetate : Used in manufacturing of Paints, Dyestuffs and Pharmaceuticals .

e) Substitute to : Used in manufacture of HDPE, LDPE etc. Chemicals and other Petroleum based petroleum based chemicals such as Ethylene Glycol.

Potable Alcohol

Manufacture of alcoholic beverages from alcohol is also an attractive diversification. There is large demand for alcoholic beverages i.e. Brandy, Whisky, Rum, gin , Vodka and Wine. The need for alcohol for potable purpose is as high as the alcohol being used for industrial purposes.

Alcohol as fuel/Ethanol Blended petrol

The trend in the world (particularly Brazil and USA) is towards the use of alcohol as an alternative fuel. During World war II, alcohol in the form of power alcohol was used for blending with petrol in the proportion of 80% petrol and 20% power alcohol. Brazil has developed a technology which has made possible large scale substitution of petroleum derived fuel. Now Anhydrous Alcohol is exclusive fuel for automobiles. Alcohol powered vehicles have taken the first position in Brazil & accounting for 80% of overall sales of about 500,000 alcohol powered vehicles every year.

Anhydrous Alcohol (99.5% v/v) is being used as fuel, by mixing it with Petrol. The blend of Anhydrous Alcohol and petrol is called Gasohol. In Brazil 4 million Vehicles are running on Gasohol. The content of alcohol in Gasohol varies from 10% to 85%. Alcohol works as Oxygenate in petrol combustion and superior to other oxygenate MTBE and ETBE. Alcohol reduces CO (Carbon Monoxide) emission and cause less pollution compared to petrol.

It can be seen that demand for alcohol will be ever increasing & there would not be any problem in marketing alcohol (either for Industrial or for potable purpose ) produced by distilleries.

It is debatable whether corn should be used for producing ethanol or for that matter any food grain.

http://www.amazines.com/Current_Affairs/article_detail.cfm/193470?articleid=193470&Title=Is%20Ethanol%20The%20Alternative%20Fuel%3F

Dixie Chemical lands investment from Chicago firm

Houston-based Dixie manufactures high-purity specialty and industrial chemicals, complex compounds and chemical intermediates used in the pharmaceutical sector at its Pasadena plant.

Dixie produces chemicals for a range of uses, including paper manufacturing, building and construction, packaging, consumer electronics, industrial coatings and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The company's laboratories can support design and production from the kilogram level to multi-ton orders.

"Dixie Chemical's leading position in anhydride chemistry presents an excellent opportunity for organic growth, with existing clients and in new markets," said Donald Evans, managing partner of Glencoe Capital. "Dixie has proven technical competency and a leading position in a number of global markets."

Glencoe Capital invests in middle-market businesses valued between $50 million and $150 million.

http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2006/08/14/daily8.html

EuroChem Finds the Right Chemistry for Collaboration With IBM

EuroChem is the largest agrochemical company in Russia, accounting for a third of the entire country's production of fertilizers. EuroChem needed to improve collaborative capabilities; introduce corporate document management; unify business processes; and boost personal productivity. EuroChem worked with Concern of Information Technologies, an IBM Premier Business Partner, to build a new strategic platform for communication and document management based on IBM Lotus Notes and Domino technologies

http://industries.bnet.com/casestudy.aspx?cid=252&docid=256229&part=rss&tag=rss&subj=BNET+Industries&promo=100112

NChZ Deploys iSeries as a Catalyst for Growth

Novacke chemicke zavody, a.s. produces chemicals for industrial use, including calcium carbide, acetylene, polyvinyl chloride and various organic compounds. The company needed to upgrade current IT systems to support ambitious growth plans:, reduce the number of physical servers; provide high performance and increase storage capacity. The company consolidated applications running on five separate eServers to two IBM iSeries systems - one model 550 for SAP solutions, and one model 520 for other business applications.

http://industries.bnet.com/casestudy.aspx?cid=252&docid=256238&part=rss&tag=rss&subj=BNET+Industries&promo=100112

Eastman Chemical 4Q Profit Jumps

Eastman Chemical Co. said Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose 44 percent on improved results from most of its businesses, but sales fell short of expectations and the company guided below consensus for fiscal 2007.


Quarterly earnings grew to $95 million, or $1.12 per share, from $66 million, or 81 cents per share, in the prior-year period. Excluding asset impairments and other items, Eastman said it earned $1 per share in the recent quarter.

Sales rose to $1.75 billion from $1.73 billion as higher volumes offset lower selling prices.

Wall Street, on average, expected earnings of 93 cents per share on higher revenue of $1.78 billion.

Eastman said it recorded a $12 million gain in the quarter on an award from the Army related to reimbursement for benefits being provided to a subsidiary's retirees.

Eastman's operating earnings fell to $108 million from $112 million in the prior-year quarter, as weaker results in its performance polymers segment offset earnings for its other four divisions, excluding depreciation costs and other items.

For the full year, Eastman said earnings fell to $409 million, or $4.91 per share, from $557 million, or $6.81 per share. Revenue grew to $7.45 billion from $7.06 billion.

Looking ahead, Eastman expects first-quarter earnings per share above 90 cents, compared with analysts' expectations of $1.17. For the full year, Eastman sees 2007 earnings per share less than 10 percent below Wall Street's consensus of $4.53.

Eastman shares fell 84 cents to close at $61.93 on the New York Stock Exchange, and dipped 94 cents to $60.99 after-hours.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070125/earns_eastman_chemical.html?.v=1

Dow Chemical Full Steam Ahead

Dow released earnings for the fourth quarter this morning. Earnings came in as expected. They were down from last year but for a very good reason: people had stocked up earlier last year after hurricane forecasters gave us the end of the world scenario. When that did not develop (sarcastic surprise inserted here), they have spent the last two quarters working off the excess inventory. The good news? This will lead to increased demand in the first half of 2007, boosting results.

So, has anything changed from the reasons I encouraged you to buy DOW in Saturday's post? In a word, NO.

CEO Andrew Liveris said on CNBC that DOW was:

-The low cost producer in its lines of business
- After 17 consecutive quarters of increases, feedstock and energy prices dropped and look to remain low, this both increases demand for its products and lower its costs. Result? Continued margin improvement
- Reduced it's "cyclical" business to 47%, he declared "we are no longer a cyclical company"
- Had record revenue and earnings
- Balance sheet is "very, very strong" - Cash is increasing and debt decreasing. This can be used for more stock buybacks, increasing the dividend or purchases
- Looking for "acquisitions at the right price and synergies." Translation: If it will not add to earnings this year they will not do it.

In short, there is nothing happening at DOW that should dampen our enthusiasm for the company (if anything, we should be getting more excited). Liveris has done a masterful job positioning DOW for the future. Each quarter DOW is creating more value for shareholders. It will not be long before Wall Street recognizes this and jumps on the bandwagon.

http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/070126/25230_id.html?.v=1

Sumitomo Chemical Unveils New Three Year Corporate Business Plan Roadmap to Becoming a Truly Global Chemical Company

Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited (TSE: 4005) announced today a Three-Year Corporate Business Plan covering fiscal years from 2004 to 2006. The Plan sets forth a series of major milestones for the company, as it moves along its vision for the 21st century, toward a truly global chemical company as a major player in every area of its business operations. The gist of the company's vision of the company for the 21st century is as follows:

- A company that operates with competitive strength in global markets
- A company that continues to grow, on the strength of accumulated technologies, with a focus on high added value and high profitability
- A company that operates in accordance with global standards, places importance on shareholder value, and is sensitive to aspirations of its employees for fulfillment of their lives.

Prior to preparing the new Plan, Sumitomo Chemical set up a target business portfolio with a view to realizing it within upcoming ten years. In the process of preparatory work, the company set a target of generating consolidated net income of at least 100 billion yen by 2010. The new Three-Year Plan represents the first step toward achieving this goal, and we will aggressively pursue the following initiatives:

1) Moving quickly to achieve higher profitability
- Vigorously focusing on core competencies through "Selection and Concentration". By concentrating investment on life sciences, particularly pharmaceuticals, and IT-related chemicals, the company will lay the groundwork for achieving its objectives.
- Shifting to higher value-added products The company will improve profitability by emphasizing higher value-added products such as polyolefins, enhancing its downstream capabilities in the agricultural chemicals and IT-related chemicals fields, and strengthening its solutions business activities.
- Extending its global reach The company will reinforce its overseas operational bases and accelerate its business expansions, with particular emphasis on the fast growing Asian markets.

2) Solidifying its financial base
The company will strive to build a basis for high profitability, while at the same time maintaining its sound financial base

3) Carrying out full-scale reform of its business operations

4) Enhancing global management on a consolidated basis

5) Promoting corporate social responsibility initiatives

Performance Targets

(Billion Yen)
FY2003 FY2006 2010
(Projections) Targets (Long-Term Targets)

Consolidated Sales 1,160 1,330 -
Consolidated
Operating Income 68 120 -
Consolidated
Net Income 33 65 100
Shareholders'
Equity Ratio 32% 35% Approx. 40%
Debt/Equity Ratio 1.1 1.0 0.8

In fiscal 2006, the final year of the new Three-Year Corporate Business Plan, the company is targeting consolidated sales of 1.33 trillion yen, consolidated operating income of 120 billion yen and consolidated net income of 65 billion yen.

The company has set the goals of achieving a shareholders' equity ratio of 35% and the debt-equity ratio of less than 1.0.

Sumitomo Chemical is confident that, by rapidly and steadily implementing the new Three-Year Corporate Business Plan, it will be able to achieve stable, high-earnings growth and maximize corporate value. Moreover, by fulfilling the goals set forth in the new Plan, Sumitomo Chemical Group will make steady progress toward becoming a truly global chemical company.


About Sumitomo Chemical Co. Limited

Sumitomo Chemical (TSE:4005) is one of Japan's leading chemical companies, offering a diverse range of products in the fields of basic chemicals, petrochemicals, fine chemicals, IT-related chemicals, agricultural chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. While expanding business worldwide and aggressively pursuing cutting-edge R&D, we continually strive to contribute to the sustainable development of society through our Responsible Care activities.

Degussa says its selling industrial chemicals business to management

Germany: Degussa AG, the German chemical company that was taken over by the mining and energy company RAG AG this year, said Thursday it is selling its industrial chemicals business in a management buyout.

They did not give a price on the deal.

In 2005, the industrial chemicals business in Germany and Mexico generated sales of more than €85 million (US$112 million), the company said in a statement.

"We are parting with a non-core business activity in line with our approach of consistently optimizing our portfolio," said Chairman Klaus Engel.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/14/business/EU_FIN_COM_Germany_Degussa.php

Foster Wheeler to design petrochem complex

Officials at Russia's CJSC Nizhnekamsk refinery have hired Foster Wheeler Ltd. to design a refinery and petrochemical plant in Tatarstan.

The complex will consist of a refinery with production capacity of 7-million tons per year, a deep conversion plant and a petrochemical plant, the New Jersey company said in a news release Tuesday.

Upon completion the entire complex is expected to have cost about $3 billion.

The value of the design contract for Foster Wheeler was not revealed.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Business&article=UPI-1-20060919-15462400-bc-russia-fosterwheeler.xml

Stradivarius kin scoff at sound theory

The descendants of Italy's famed violin-making Stradivarius family are dismissing research that purportedly explains the sweet music the instruments produce.

Researchers in the United States said this week they believed a Stradivarius owes its distinct sound to chemicals used to kill woodworm and fungi when the exquisite instruments were made in the 1700s.

But the BBC reported Saturday from the northern Italian town of Cremona, where the Stradivari family made the instruments, that family members scoff at the idea their family secret has been decoded.

Many of the techniques to produce the instruments may never be fully understood by modern science, the report said. It is known that the wood used included spruce for the harmonic top and internal parts, and maple for the back, strip and neck; and that the wood was treated with several chemicals, including potassium borate, sodium and potassium silicate.

One current violinmaker told the BBC that trying to figure out the exact secrets of the Stradivarius was "like trying to fathom the depths of Michelangelo's genius."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Entertainment&article=UPI-1-20061202-14464500-bc-italy-strad.xml

Sonoco plant closings to hit 50 in Chicago

Sonoco Products Co., a packaging company, will close 12 facilities next year, including two Chicago injection molded plastics plants next month.

Effective Jan. 31, the two plants are being shuttered, in a cost-cutting move that also will result in 10 other facilities being closed, Sonoco said Monday in a news release.

The Chicago injection molded plastics plants have about 50 employees combined and produce plumbing-related plastic components. Sonoco will offer outplacement services and severance to all employees affected by the closing.

Germans pay to relocate Celanese assets

A Celanese Corp. subsidiary will receive about $855 million from the Frankfurt, Germany, airport to settle a relocation dispute.

Celanese's engineered polymers subsidiary, Ticona GmbH, will move so Fraport Airport can expand, the U.S. parent company said Wednesday in a news release.

In a five-year period, Fraport will pay Ticona for the costs associated with the transition of the business from the current location and the closure of Ticona's Kelsterbach plant.

"The terms of the settlement will allow Ticona adequate time and resources to select a site, build new production facilities and transition business activities within Germany to a new location by mid-2011," Celanese said. "The relocation will affect production and administrative ... personnel."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Business&article=UPI-1-20061129-08305400-bc-germany-celanese.xml

DuPont sells subsidiary to Swiss firm

Switzerland's Sika AG, a specialty chemical maker, is buying E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co.'s protective coatings product lines.

The assets being acquired are designed to protect concrete, steel and other materials from corrosion, water, fire and environmental forces, DuPont said Monday in a statement.

The deal, which must be approved by regulatory authorities, includes a DuPont factory at Vaihingen, Germany, where the coatings are made.

The price of the deal was not disclosed.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Business&article=UPI-1-20061204-15162400-bc-us-dupont.xml

Celanese sells German U.S assets

Advent International, a private equity group, is buying European Oxo GmbH, a joint venture of Celanese Corp.'s German unit and Degussa AG.

The $630 million deal advances Celanese's ongoing divestments of non-core assets, the U.S. chemical company said Wednesday in a release.

The sale includes oxo and derivative businesses at Celanese's Oberhausen, Germany, and Bay City, Texas, facilities, and portions of its Bishop, Texas, facility. EOXO's facilities within the Oberhausen and Marl, Germany, plants are also included in the sale, Celanese said. As part of the transaction, Celanese will transfer all of the EOXO business to Advent International, including Degussa's 50 percent interest of the venture.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/index.php?feed=Business&article=UPI-1-20061213-12583600-bc-us-celanese.xml

Microbes may lead to low cost ethanol

U.S. scientists say a tiny microbe may hold the key to simpler, lower-cost production of ethanol from biomass sources such as trees, grasses and cornstalks.

The researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory are studying a bacterium known as Clostridium thermocellum, which has the ability to degrade cellulose into sugars and then ferment the sugars into alcohol or ethanol.

Current ethanol production methods involve a costly, multi-step, enzyme-and-yeast-based process that would price the fuel at more than $2.20 per gallon. But the ORNL scientists say gene expression in the microbe might determine the enzymatic function, thereby revealing strategies for further reducing the cost of ethanol production.

The scientists say they hope to demonstrate their process enhancements on an industrial scale within five years.

Adsorption Site of CO on Pt (111) Density Functional Theory Study To Lead To Better Catalysts and Sensors Supplier Data By Accelrys

Researchers at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan and Accelrys have used MS Modeling’s DMol3 to study the adsorption of CO on the Pt(111) surface.

The study successfully showed the correct site-preference for the CO adsorption site as suggested by experiment.

This finding will enable the design of better catalysts and sensors.
Metal and Carbon Monoxide Interaction

The interaction of CO with metal surfaces has attracted a great deal of interest because it is an important step in many surface and catalytic reactions, such as CO oxidation and hydrogenation.

In particular, the adsorption of CO on Pt surfaces has attracted much attention because of the many potential applications, such as in car exhaust catalysts where it promotes the oxidation of CO to CO2. The heats of adsorption and local bonding geometries of the interaction have been investigated both experimentally and theoretically.

However, in studies of the CO adsorption on Pt(111), theoretical and experimental results differ. Density functional theory (DFT) predicts adsorption at the fcc-hollow site, whereas experiments reveal adsorption occurs at the atop site.

Discoveries

Reporting in Chem. Phys. Lett. the researchers discovered:

· All electron scalar relativistic (AER) calculations are essential to obtain the correct site-preference, atop followed by bridge and then hollow (fcc and hcp)

· The AER calculations give a deeper Fermi level in good agreement with work function measurements for a Pt surface with all the functionals

· The deeper Fermi level enables the interaction of the LUMO of CO with the metal substrate to be decreased

· This effect suppresses backdonation from the metal substrate to the LUMO of CO, hence it destabilizes fcc-site, that, in turn, stabilizes the atop-site.

Dr Orita, a senior research scientist at AIST, said “Since localized d-orbitals were expected to be important in the model studied, we chose to use DMol3 for this work, as it is based on localized basis sets, which is more appropriate than DFT codes based on plane wave basis sets.”

“As DMol3 is good at performing geometry optimization, the code enabled us to perform geometry optimization taking account of all the electrons in a system, even when running on a personal computer. Such a low computational cost of performing fast calculations is essential for the practical analyses of changing calculation parameters systematically, such as core treatment, functional, number of slab layer, k-points, and size of unit cell.”

Advanced Materials for Athletes Prostheses

Competition amongst paralympians is no less fierce than that experienced by their able bodied compatriots, with competitors producing athletic performances that are truly inspiring. The current world record for the 100 metre sprint by an amputee athlete is 11.03 seconds, only about a second slower than the fastest Olympic sprinters. What makes this possible?

Major factors are, of course, the strength, technique and determination of the competitors, but an important part of the equation is the materials technology found within the prosthetic limbs they use. The days of the wooden leg are long gone and, as they have for many other sports, advances in materials technology have revolutionised performance levels in disabled sport.
Design of Prosthetic Limbs

The process of designing a prosthetic limb is a complex one. Consider the case of an athlete with a below knee amputation. The remaining stump is often very tender, and is composed of a variety of tissue types, some of which are pressure sensitive and some of which are pressure tolerant. The prosthetic practitioner fitting the athlete with the limb begins by designing a hard socket that supports the limb under the stump’s pressure tolerant areas. These hard sockets are made from polypropylene or woven carbon fibre composite materials. To provide protection for the pressure sensitive tissue a soft silicone rubber liner is worn over the stump, and together the hard and soft socket combination provides comfortable support for the athlete.

To replace the tibia and fibula of the lower leg a hollow circular bar is attached to the hard socket via a metallic nut and bolt assembly. The bar is made from several different carbon fibre materials, with woven and unidirectional fibres being used in combination with filament wound fibres. Attached to the base of the circular bar is a curved foot section, also made from carbon fibre composites. Its purpose is to act as a spring to aid forward motion.

To understand how this is possible the human walking pattern, or gait cycle, must be considered. Walking is an activity that we seldom think about, but the process can be separated into four distinct stages - heel strike (HS), foot flat (FF), heel off (HO) and toe off (TO), (see figure 1). The point at which the heel contacts the ground is known as the heel strike. At the midpoint of the stride the foot is flat on the ground, and as the stride progresses the heel leaves the ground followed by the toe, the cycle then repeats. At the point of heel off, the foot section begins to bend under the load of the athlete, and in doing so the section stores elastic strain energy. The load on the foot, and the energy stored, reaches a maximum midway between the heel off and toe off stages, beyond this point the stored energy is returned, providing a forward impulse. This spring-like action helps the athlete achieve a more natural gait, which contributes to the faster times for the 100 metre sprint.

Carbon fibre composites are used to manufacture the foot sections partly because the resulting structure exhibits high strength and stiffness together with relatively low mass. These materials are also used because they enable such a high degree of design flexibility. Varying the degree of fibre orientation in the foot varies the bending stiffness, which is fundamentally important given the variation in mass of the competing athletes. The bending stiffness of a given foot can now be tailored to ensure that the loading is elastic and that energy storage is maximised.
The Future

The future of prosthetic limb technology is exciting, and may lie particularly in the area of osteointegration, in which the prosthetic device is fixed directly to the bone via a titanium implant. This technology is not without difficulties. The fact that the prosthetic limb is connected to the bone means that the skin does not form a continuous surface over the area of the limb and bone fixing, increasing the potential threat of infection and subsequent illness. However, if the problem of infection is solved then we could see Paralympic athletes competing alongside their Olympic counterparts.

http://www.chemicalindustryinfo.com/articles/

Advanced Materials for Gas Turbine Engines

Developments in advanced materials, more than anything else, have contributed to the spectacular progress in thrust-to-weight ratio of the aero gas turbine. This has been achieved in the main through the substitution of titanium and nickel alloys for steel, fig 1. Aluminium has virtually disappeared from the aero engine, and the future projection illustrates the potential for composites of various types. The aero engine designer requires a much wider range of materials than the airframe designer because the temperature range is large, whereas a civil airframe, even that of Concorde, lies entirely within the capability of aluminium. Materials also supply the enabling technology for equally significant improvements in performance and reliability.

The RB211 and Trent families of engines provide good illustrations of the link between material capabilities and engine performance. Civil engine programmes are becoming the drivers for materials development, replacing the military programmes that were the leaders at the beginning of the gas turbine era. The earlier approach of technology transfer from military to civil is tending to switch direction.

The turbine entry temperatures of modern civil engines are now approaching those of the latest military combat engines, and the longer operational lives expected by airlines place greater demands on materials technology.
Design Parameters

The key design parameters are fan airflow, which is related directly to thrust, particularly at take-off, and the pressure ratio and flow size of the core, which determine the fuel consumption and climb thrust for a given engine size. Take-off thrust is determined by the airflow, with a direct relationship to fan diameter. Increasing physical size places considerable importance on design, not only for low weight but also for structural stiffness.

Core engine size is equally important The power output to drive the fan is determined by core mass flow and combustor temperature rise. Component development provides increased temperature capability, but the physical size of the compressor is not easily changed and mass flow through the core can only be increased by supercharging to higher overall pressure ratios.

Three examples of aerospace components - the fan blade, the rear of the high-pressure compressor and the high-pressure turbine illustrate how materials are responding to the required performance and design parameters. They also highlight the potential of advanced materials such as titanium and nickel alloys, plus the possibilities for composite materials. In the production of larger diameter, low weight fan blades, the contribution of advanced materials is vital, not only in terms of density but also through advanced methods of fabrication. New materials must also be able to withstand the demands for increasing compressor delivery temperature and turbine entry temperature. Specific fuel consumption depends on thermal as well as propulsive efficiency. Thermal efficiency depends in turn on the maximum temperature of the cycle, as with any heat engine. Maximising efficiency within the design compromise on each component is clearly important for fuel consumption.

http://www.chemicalindustryinfo.com/articles/

Advanced Materials for Gas Turbine Engines Fan Blades

Fan blades for high by pass aero-engines were, for many years, manufactured from solid titanium alloy forgings and were designed with mid span snubbers to control vibration. However, snubbers impeded airflow and reduced aerodynamic efficiency, penalising fuel consumption. Modern designs have deleted the snubber to provide a more aerodynamically efficient aerofoil, and increased the blade chord for mechanical stability, reducing the number of blades by approximately one third. This has been achieved at reduced weight with a hollow construction and an internal core.

For both snubbered and wide chord blades, a conventional fine grain titanium alloy - 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium (Ti6Al4V) is used. It is simple in terms of chemistry, with the aluminium offering strengthening and low density, and the vanadium making hot working of the material easier. It is used for discs and compressor blades up to about 350°C, but excellent superplastic forming and solid state diffusion bonding capabilities make it particularly suitable for the wide chord blade.

The low density core for the hollow design is an integral part of the structure. The two external skins are separated by either honeycomb filler or a superplastically formed corrugation which carries a share of the centrifugal load. Both panel-to-panel and core-to-panel joints must achieve parent material properties to withstand the effects of foreign body impact and fatigue.

For the first generation design the joints are made by a transient liquid phase diffusion bonding process, whereas the second generation employs solid state diffusion bonding in association with superplastic forming of the assembly. The cavity of the bonded construction is inflated at elevated temperatures between contoured metal dies using an inert gas to expand the core and simultaneously develop the blade’s external aerodynamic profile.

The reliability of these wide chord blades has been second to none. The step in technology produced a major competitive advantage and ten years passed before an equivalent design appeared from a manufacturer other than Rolls Royce. This service record was the result of thorough development testing. Fatigue testing in both low and high cycle modes was essential. Groups of blades were repeatedly accelerated to maximum speed in vacuum to establish low cycle endurance, and high cycle fatigue was investigated on a static vibration rig up to the maximum stress levels likely to be encountered in service.

With a large forward facing area, resistance to bird ingestion is required. Ingestion of a number of medium size birds has to be demonstrated by running an engine at take-off power and requiring it to ingest four birds within the space of one second. The engine continued to deliver power, accelerating and decelerating for a total period of thirty minutes to simulate the likely operating procedure following a severe ingestion incident.

In the very unlikely event of a blade mechanical failure, the engine has to be shown to be structurally sound and to contain all the debris, even if the failure occurs at maximum power. Containment in modern engines is achieved with aluminium or titanium casings through which the blade fragments can penetrate, to be caught in external windings of Kevlar.

As an indication of the benefits of materials development and design enhancements, engines incorporating the wide chord blade have fan modules that are approximately 24% lighter and an engine which is 7% lighter (typically the Trent 800 engine as used in the Boeing 777).
The Future

Looking to the future, some believe that carbon composite materials can be used to reduce weight. At present these materials limit the speeds for which the blade can be designed, requiring a greater diameter for a given thrust. It may be that this alternative approach will converge with the hollow design because airworthiness requirements have led to the incorporation of titanium sheathing around a large part of the composite blade with, of course, some weight penalty. The composite can be considered as an alternative core to the titanium honeycomb or corrugation. Rolls-Royce is studying the future possibility of titanium based metal matrix composites with selective reinforcement provided by silicon carbide monofilaments to control blade untwist.

http://www.chemicalindustryinfo.com/articles/