Famous Quotes

“Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.”
Baltasar Gracian

“A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. “
Herm Albright

“In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. “
Warren Buffett

“Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.”
Carol Burnett

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Norman Vincent Peale

“The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it.”
Laurence J. Peter

“The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.”
Pearl Buck
 

 Imponderables

How Do X-Rays Work?
 

German physicist Wilhelm Roentgen discovered x-rays in 1865. Roentgen had enclosed a glass tube inside of a black paper box. Wiring, similar to that of a light bulb, ran inside of the tube and allowed for electrical currents to accumulate within it. An induction coil enabled electrical current to travel into the tube, with the result being a faint green-colored light which spread across the room. While the rays were not visible to the naked eye, they penetrated materials like wood and metal. After reproducing these findings, Roentgen’s hand came in contact with the tube one day. The shadows he saw of his hand and fingers showed darker shadows representing the bones, with the shadow moving as his hand moved. A screen across the room was coated with a chemical. The shadow hit the screen and the end result was the first x-ray picture. Within a year of the discovery, the new technology was being used for imaging the human body.

Unlike visible light, x-rays penetrate through materials of light atoms, including those which compose the human body. While they pass through human flesh, which is composed primarily of water, heavier atoms like metal absorb them. X-rays are produced when a beam of high energy electrons collides with a metal target. Low energy rays are blocked by a filter by the x-ray source while the high energy rays pass through a patient towards a sheet of film. A shadow of the inside of the body is produced. A second sheet of film is used to prevent scattered x-rays from fogging the picture.

The various tissues that make up the human body absorb x-rays to different extents and only three tissues are sufficiently different from each other in terms of x-ray absorption to show up on an x-ray film. Calcium in bones is considered a type of metal, which offer high absorption and show up white, while soft tissues, muscle, heart and blood vessels appear in similar shades of grey. Air, which may appear in areas such as the lungs, appears black on an x-ray. Because many of the soft tissues tend to look alike on an x-ray image, a variety of artificial contrast materials are often used. A thick suspension of barium sulphate can be introduced to coat the desired areas. Being the salt of a heavy metal, it absorbs the x-rays quite well, making the areas it has coated appear much whiter. Other media, usually containing iodine can also be introduced to the body and are used to show greater contrast. Angiography, which involves injecting the substance directly into an artery, will reveal the vessel, and any organ (or tumor) which it supplies. From this type of investigation, the sub-specialty of interventional radiology developed, transforming radiology from a purely diagnostic specialty to one where radiologists can also treat patients. In many areas, radiological techniques have replaced major surgical procedures when performed under local anesthetic with or without light sedation.
 

 Companies

Chemical Information Services Adds Becker Products to Portfolio

Chemical Information Services has partnered with Becker & Associates to add a new line of offerings to its product portfolio. Becker & Associates’ database products provide essential scientific, technological, commercial and patent data gathered to fulfill the information needs of drug development and manufacturing professionals. Nearly 3 gigabytes of complex expert information is edited in state of the art proprietary programs to enable easy and instant access to the most complicated data. Text and structure are compressed in original SQL databases, available in CD-ROM and on-line versions. The Becker products offered include the following:

• B.I.C.-3000 – Becker Intermediates Catalog
• F.G.D. – Future Generics Database
• P.P.D – Pesticide Production Database
• P.I.D. – Pharmaceutical Intermediates Database
• Conceptus – Combination of B.I.C and P.I.D Databases


For additional information on any of our products, please visit www.chemicalinfo.com.

Praxair to Build and Operate New Hydrogen & Nitrogen System in India

Praxair, Inc. was recently awarded a major order from the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. for the long-term supply of hydrogen and nitrogen gases to its new 300,000 barrels per day greenfield oil refinery. Praxair will build the new facility at Paradip, Orissa on the eastern coast of India. It will consist of a 90 million standard cubic feet per day hydrogen plant and a 500 tons per day nitrogen plant, with start-ups scheduled for the first quarter of 2012. The new refinery is designed to process lower-cost high-sulfur and heavy crude oil.

The hydrogen supplied will be used by Indian Oil for the processing of various crude oil slates as well as for the production of low sulfur, clean fuels. Indian Oil is augmenting its existing refining ability by establishing the Paradip refinery, with the capacity of 300,000 barrels per day at a cost of about $6.5 billion. The endeavor will help meet the current growing energy demands of the Indian domestic market and the needs of the South East Asian export market expected in the near future.

Lapolla Industries Signs Agreement with Exova

Houston, Texas-based Lapolla Industries, Inc. has contracted with nationally accredited Canadian testing laboratory Evoxa, to conduct the In-Field Quality Assurance Program for the FL-2000 (FoamLOK), Evaluation listing CCMC 13414-L.

Lapolla Industries, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of spray polyurethane foam for insulation and coatings targeting residential and commercial applications in the building envelope construction industries. International organization Evoxa serves local markets in a wide range of industries and specializes in testing, engineering technology, certification, calibration and advising and consulting. The company was recently added to the short list of qualified In-Field Inspection Firms recognized by CCMC for the Canadian markets.

AlumiFuel Power, Inc.’s Technology Generates Interest at Naval Energy Forum

AlumiFuel Power, Inc. (“API”), an early production stage hydrogen generation company, showcased its technology at the Naval Energy Forum recently held in McLean, Virginia. API is a Pennsylvania-based, wholly-owned operating subsidiary of AlumiFuel Power Corporation.

The Naval Energy Forum was a major conference conducted within the Department of Defense. Attended by over 700 people from government and industry, it featured the key themes of energy security, energy efficiency, environmental stewardship, and energy science and technology (S&T). Interest in API’s technology for a variety of target applications included undersea vehicle propulsion, feeding fuel cells for on-demand remote power generation, lift gas for special purpose naval balloons, hydrogen boost for diesel engines, flameless heaters for military rations (Meals Ready to Eat, or MREs), and the combustion source for a Navy “hydrogen gun.” The company also submitted three white papers at the conference.

Sigma-Aldrich Launches Facebook® Application

Sigma-Aldrich has launched a unique life science-focused application for the social media site, Facebook®. Entitled ‘What’s Your Favorite Gene?, the application was developed and marketed by Sigma® Life Science. It provides a platform enabling scientists and researchers to network with each other, facilitating discussions among users. In addition, it allows researchers to post and share gene information using gene details, associated pathways and interactors from Sigma-Aldrich’s online search platform, 'Your Favorite Gene powered by Ingenuity'. The application is designed to encourage scientists to become “fans” of their favorite genes and then connect and network with colleagues to share their experiences while simultaneously building their own scientific profile.

 Personnel

American Pacific Appoints Two New Directors

Custom manufacturer of fine chemicals, specialty chemicals and propulsion products American Pacific Corporation (AMPAC) recently announced the election of Barbara Smith Campbell and William F. Readdy to serve on its Board of Directors. The addition increased the size of the company’s board to ten directors.

Ms. Campbell is President of Consensus, LLC, a company which she founded in 2005. Prior to starting Consensus, she served as a member of the Nevada Tax Commission for 5 consecutive terms and as the Commission's Chairman from 1996 to 2005. She currently serves as a Trustee for the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation and Advisory Board Member of Amerco, parent company of U-Haul International.

In 2005, Mr. Readdy established Discovery Partners International LLC, a consulting firm to provide strategic planning, risk management, safety and emerging technology solutions to aerospace and high-tech industries. Prior to that, he served as NASA’s associate administrator for space operations and chaired the Administration’s Space Flight Leadership Council until 2005.

Rexam Announces New Chief Executive

Graham Chipchase has been chosen to succeed Leslie Van de Walle as Chief Executive Officer of global consumer packaging company, Rexam PLC. The appointment will be effective January 1, 2010, when Van de Walle retires to pursue other non-executive interests. Chipchase has been Group Director Plastic Packaging since July 2005 and joined the Rexam Board as Group Finance Director in February 2003.

BIA Appoints Director in Scotland

The BioIndustry Association (BIA) has appointed Scott Johnstone as Director in Scotland. Based in the Edinburgh office, he will lead the organization’s work with the biotech community in Scotland, including both the Scottish Parliament and BIA members.

Scott will work part-time for the BIA while retaining his existing part-time position as Chief Executive Officer of Antoxis Ltd., the company founded by him in 2005. In addition, he will continue with his duties as Life Science Business Advisor and Technology Entrepreneur for the Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept program.

 Business/Finance

Clairiant Optimizes Global Network

In an effort to address overcapacities and reduce costs, specialty chemical leader Clariant plans to further optimize its global production network. The company’s ‘Global Asset Network Optimization’ (GANO) project is composed of a detailed evaluation of its entire production network and is part of Clariant’s broader restructuring program. The program focuses on closing the gap the company has realized when compared to its peers on several key performance factors. GANO addresses both structural deficits in the production network and long term overcapacity issues.

The project involves initial proposals to close various sites. The sites nominated for closure are Huningue, France; Pontypridd, UK; CIVAC, Cuernavaca in Mexico; and parts of two plants at Clariant sites in Germany, at Gendorf and Frankfurt. An evaluation of all strategic options for the facility in Onsan, South Korea will also be initiated. Approximately 570 jobs worldwide will be affected by the proposals. Completion and full implementation of the initial proposals is expected to occur between 2011 and 2013. The company feels that the restructuring will significantly improve the efficiency of its production network while increasing its competitiveness.

Mitsubishi Rayon to Stop Production of Silpalon

Due to decreased sales in Japan, Mitsubishi Rayon has pulled out of the Silpalon acrylic filament yarn business. In addition to decreased sales, manufacturers are switching to alternative fibers due to falling textile prices, therefore sales volumes in China and South Korea have fallen.
While Mitsubishi Rayon’s subsidiary Mitsubishi Rayon Textile, located in Otake, Hiroshima, normally produces 2,200 tonnes/year of acrylic filament, production fell to only 1,000 tonnes/year last year. End of production is scheduled for March 2010.

Air Products Completes Sale of Polyurethane Pre-Polymers Business

Air Products has finalized the sale of the assets of its polyurethane pre-polymers business, marketed under the Airthane® and Versathane® trade names, to COIM USA Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of global polyurethane chemicals producer COIM SpA. While terms of the agreement are not being disclosed, the sale included Air Product’s Paulsboro, New Jersey manufacturing facility.

Air Products will continue to focus on the global growth of its Dabco® and Polycat® polyurethane catalysts and surfactants, Versalink(TM) curatives and their new Innovathane® and Ancarez® ISO products for the Polyurea coatings and construction markets.

Biota Completes Two Drug Discovery Acquisitions

Biota Holdings Limited has announced it has completed two acquisitions.

The assets and drug development programs of MaxThera, Inc., an antibacterial drug discovery company in Boston, Massachusetts, are being acquired subject to conditions Biota expects to meet in the near future. MaxThera has developed a lead program which targets inhibitors of an essential bacterial enzyme in the Coenzyme-A biosynthetic pathway, which is responsible for metabolic processes in bacteria. This acquisition will expand Biota’s drugs in development beyond antivirals into other anti-infectives. MaxThera’s assets will be acquired for $1.2 million in cash and $30,000 in Biota shares.

The assets and programs of Prolysis Limited, an antibacterial drug discovery company in Oxford, England are also being acquired by Biota. Prolysis is developing two projects focusing on multiple drug resistant infections and new antibiotics; the Gyrase program and a Cell Division Inhibitor (CDI). All staff and main activities at its laboratory facilities in Oxford will be retained by Biota. Prolysis’ assets and programs will be acquired for $10.8 million in Biota shares, 60% of which will be subject to a 12-month escrow period. Also included in the agreement is the ability to receive up to 15% share in milestone and royalties earned after commercialization.

 Fine & Specialty Chemicals

Solutia’s Therminol® 55 Selected by IMTT

Solutia Inc. announced that International Matex Tank Terminals (IMTT) has chosen Solutia’s Therminol® 55 heat transfer fluid for its 2009 tank terminal expansion project.

IMTT, a world-class provider of bulk liquid handling services, has used Therminol® at its St. Rose, Louisiana plant for over 30 years. This is the largest expansion of the 50 year old company.

Therminol® 55 provides indirect heat to storage tanks to prevent high melting point compounds, such as asphalt and diesel fuel, from solidifying. Unlike conventional mineral oils, Solutia’s Therminol® 55 is resistant to oxidation and has outstanding thermal stability.
Solutia manufactures its heat transfer fluid on four continents, offering a worldwide product supply..

  Pharma

Abbott Acquires Global Rights to PanGenetics’ PG110

Expanding its pain care portfolio, Abbott has announced its acquisition of global rights to PanGenetics BV’s PG110 humanized antibody to Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Delivering long-lasting analgesia without the potential for dependence and abuse, PG110 is a biologic in Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of chronic pain.

Currently, pain signals transferred by the central nervous system are blocked with treatments such as NSAIDS, opioids, Cox-2 inhibitors, and other analgesics. However, besides potential for addiction and abuse, tolerability and safety issues arise. If Phase I trials of PG110 are successful, other pain states will be studied, including cancer pain, lower back pain, and diabetic neuropathic pain.
 

Novarits’ Agriflu Approved by FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved Agriflu for the prevention of disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B.

Manufactured in Siena, Italy by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Agriflu was placed on the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway making it available sooner. Novartis must continue to demonstrate, as part of the accelerated approval process, that Agriflu is able to prevent seasonal influenza by inducing levels of antibodies in the blood.

It is administered as a single injection and is available to people ages 18 years and older. The company also manufactures Fluvirin for use in the United States.
 

 Agrochemicals

DuPont and Dow AgroSciences Commit to Cross-Licensing Deal

Dow AgroSciences and DuPont have entered into a cross-licensing agreement that will offer farmers additional weed control options for soybean production. Dow AgroSciences, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dow Chemical Company, is licensing its herbicide tolerant trait technology to DuPont business Pioneer Hi-Bred. In turn, Pioneer is granting Dow AgroSciences its proprietary Optimum® GAT® trait for soybeans.
The new technology being developed will be based on 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid technology and will provide improved control of glyphosate-resistant weeds, as well as broadleaf weeds like pigweeds and morning glory, ragweed, and velvetleaf. Commercialization is expected in the next decade pending approval by U.S. regulatory agencies this year. Dow AgroSciences is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.A.

Syngenta Corn Traits Receive Approval in Brazil

Following the approval by the National Biosafety Committee and a 30-day clearance period, Syngenta’s genetically modified corn traits - M1R162 and Bt11xGA21 - have been approved for cultivation in Brazil. These advanced technologies will enable growers to increase global competitiveness and efficiency through higher grain quality, increased productivity, and reduced production costs.

Bt11xGA21 offers combined insect resistance and herbicide tolerance, while the effectiveness and broad spectrum of M1R162 control the fall army worm. Together, these approvals strengthen Syngenta’s portfolio and reinforce its position in innovation and technology. The company employs more than 24,000 in over 90 countries.

 Commodity  Chemicals

Braskem/Idesa Form Ethylene Joint Venture

Braskem and Idesa are partnering to form a petrochemical project in Mexico after winning Pemex Gás’ auction for the acquisition of raw materials.

Natural gas will be supplied for 20 years to be used in a cracker with an ethylene capacity of 1 million tons per year. Three polymerization units will use the ethylene to produce 450,000 tons of HDPE and 200,000 tons of LDPE per year.

Braskem (Brazil) and Idesa (Mexico) will form a joint venture in the Coatzacoalcos Petrochemical Complex in Veracruz, Mexico, supplying the domestic market, which currently imports polyethylene. The new complex is expected to provide competitive access to the raw materials needed to produce HDPE and LDPE. Operations are projected to begin in 2015.

   Paints & Coatings

AkzoNobel Acquires Powder Coatings Activities from Dow

AkzoNobel will acquire Dow Chemical Company’s powder coatings activities, expanding its portfolio of sustainable technologies and allowing it to further penetrate industrial coatings segments in the U.S. Powder coatings contain no solvents, offering a sustainable alternative to liquid coatings, with application efficiency levels of 99%. This deal will add thermoplastic and MDF capabilities to AkzoNobel’s expertise, delivering improved operational efficiency and allowing better service to worldwide customers.

The powder coatings activities of Rohm & Haas, located in the U.S., Europe, and China, were purchased by Dow earlier this year. The segment currently employs around 700 people and achieves global sales of several hundred million dollars.

 Plastics

CalciRC100S™ Launched by CalciTech

A new product has been launched by CalciTech Ltd. for use as a filler in plastics. CalciRC100S™ promises to bring benefits over conventional calcium carbonates as well as improved sustainability for plastics producers.

In PVC profiles, trials have such benefits as higher gloss and toughness, thermal stability and improved whiteness, lower costs, and consistent high quality. Less polymer resin is used because CalciRC100S™ can be used with higher loading levels. Additionally, Synthetic Calcium Carbonate (SCC) is manufactured using CalciTech’s process of utilizing waste lime and effluent carbon dioxide (CO2), thereby capturing the CO2 rather than relying on unsustainable freshly mined materials.

CalciTech operates out of Geneva, Switzerland.

A.Schulman Receives SPE Recognition for AgriPlas™

A. Schulman, Inc. announced that one of its products has received innovation recognition from the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE) Automotive Division.

Its AgriPlas™ wheat straw fiber bio-filler was a Blue Ribbon Finalist for an Environmental Innovation Award. Featured in Ford’s new Flex crossover vehicle, AgriPlas™ is an application for an injection-molded storage bin and inner lid for the interior of the Ford Flex.
AgriPlas™ is polypropylene containing wheat straw fiber – a by-product of harvesting wheat. This “bio-filler” offers advantages talc- and/or glass-filled polypropylene do not, such as weight savings of 10%, less energy used in manufacturing, increased dimensional stability, and lower carbon footprint.

Currently, A. Schulman supplies high-performance plastic compounds and resins for use in consumer, automotive, industrial, and packaging applications. They are exploring other uses for the AgriPlas™ wheat straw fiber in non-automotive applications, as well as additional automotive interior and under-the-hood applications.

Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, the company employs about 2,000 people at 16 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia.
 

 Food/Flavoring

Symrise Expands Portfolio

Flavoring and fragrance manufacturer Symrise has expanded its portfolio with a new Consumer Health business unit for food supplements, health care and specialty products. In addition to satisfying the growing demand for health-oriented foods, the expansion increases the company’s competency and improves its competitive advantage. The new Consumer Health unit will focus on functional ingredients for modern food supplements and offer flavor solutions for health products. The company’s Consumer Health team will be lead by Dirk Bennwitz and will be the driving force in Symrise’s health and nutrition strategy. The business unit will be supported by the Symrise Competence Center for Health & Nutrition, which works as an independent entity for all four of the company’s business units – Beverages, Savory, Sweet and Consumer Health. The Competence Center provides the unit’s market and consumer data, product safety information, and assistance with product and ingredient development.

 General

ACC Supports Prioritization of Chemicals

In reaction to the recent hearing on “prioritization of chemicals”, the American Chemistry Council (ACC) sent a letter to Chairman Bobby Rush and Ranking Member, George Radanovich of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection to be submitted as part of the record of the hearing on prioritizing chemicals for safety determination.

The letter strongly endorsed prioritization as a linchpin for modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Prioritization is the first step in a program focused on providing for the safe, beneficial use of chemicals as well as boosting the public’s confidence in the system. Adequate information about those chemicals must be provided to the EPA in order for all chemicals in commerce to be prioritized.

The ACC released principles this summer aimed at enhancing the manner in which chemicals are managed in commerce. The Council is working with Congress, the EPA and a varied group of stakeholders to ensure that the TSCA reform adheres to the priority of public health, restores confidence in the chemical regulatory system, reflects scientific/technological advances, and assures continued innovation from the U.S. chemical industry.

Featured Article

Famous Quotes

Imponderables

Companies

Personnel

Business/Finance

Fine & Specialty Chemicals

Pharma

Agrochemicals

Commodity Chemicals

Paints & Coatings

Plastics

Food/Flavorings

General