“Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.”
Napoleon Bonaparte

“The highest proof of virtue is to possess boundless power without abusing it.”
Lord Macaulay

“Science may set limits to knowledge, but should not set limits to imagination.”
Bertrand Russell

“Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.“
Immanuel Kant

“You see what power is - holding someone else's fear in your hand and showing it to them!”
Amy Tan

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.”
Carl Sandburg

“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.”
Rodin

"To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead."
William Hazlitt
 

How Do Birds Navigate?

With the change of seasons in full swing, many may ponder how our feathered friends find their way. Without the benefit of technology or even a flight plan, how do birds navigate?

It has been theorized that many species of birds and animals use the earth’s magnetic field to find their way. Through a variety of experiments, scientists have shown that it’s possible for birds to “see” this magnetic field. Photoreceptors found in the retinal system of migratory birds absorb light, resulting in a chemical that forms a short-lived charge. Birds translate magnetic compass information into visual patterns. A combination of this along with light and the bird’s own inner compass enable birds to utilize their own visual system to reference direction and see the magnetic field. In migratory birds, the magnetic compass is calibrated based on certain light patterns, especially sunrise and sunset, when polarized light patterns are the strongest.

In addition to a basic appreciation of how birds find their way, this information could also provide additional understanding about man-made magnetic fields generated by power lines and other communications equipment disrupt the orientation and interfere with the navigational abilities of certain species.
 

2010 Directory of World Chemical Producers Soon Available

The 2010 book edition of the Directory of World Chemical Producers (DWCP) will soon be available. Published annually, the DWCP provides worldwide producers of all chemicals and bulk pharmaceuticals. Users may search by chemical name,  manufacturer, and CAS number. The book provides full contact details including available email addresses and websites.

For further details on the 2010 edition including pre-ordering information, please inquire at info@chemicalinfo.com.


 

Air Products Continues to Expand Asian Market Share

Air Products has signed a long-term contract to provide nitrogen to NexPower Technology Corporation (NexPower), at its new thin-film photovoltaic (PV) facility in the Central Taiwan Science Park (CTSP) in Houli, Taichung, Taiwan. The agreement was made through its subsidiary Air Products San Fu Co. Ltd. in Taiwan. Nitrogen is being supplied to the facility through Air Products’ pipeline network in the CTSP. The CTSP is one of the two new government-sponsored science parks in Taiwan to attract investments and the development of high-tech industries to the central Taiwan district. NexPower is one of the first Taiwan companies to achieve successful thin-film mass production.

Air Products won over 20 new contracts last year in Asia, serving both thin-film PV and crystalline markets. The company has since signed gas supply contracts with leading PV manufacturers. Its established service history in both the semiconductor and thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) industries makes Air Products well positioned to serve the thin-film PV industry.
 

KMG Chemicals Forms Alliance with AgriLabs, Inc.

Global provider of specialty chemicals KMG Chemicals, Inc. has formed a strategic partnership in the Animal Health marketplace with Missouri-based AgriLabs, Inc. The alliance will provide KMG’s animal insecticide product line with AgriLabs’ sales, marketing and technical support necessary to enhance customer service and increase the exposure for products in the cattle, swine, dairy and equine markets. AgriLabs’ technical support team will provide both customers and producers with veterinary and animal production expertise while KMG’s Avenger® and Patriot® ear tags and quality insecticides will be added to the AgriLabs product portfolio.

 

Sigma-Aldrich Elects New Company Director

Dr. George M. Church has been elected Director of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation. The Professor of Genetics at the Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center for Computational Genetics in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Church has more than 10 U.S. patents granted and several pending. He pioneered technology innovations in both the Chemistry and Biomedicine fields. His background in science and research will help the company it its efforts to strengthen its leadership position in the industry.

 

Executive Changes Take Place at Air Products

Air Products has announced several executive changes, effective October 2009.

As an expansion of his current role as Latin America/South Africa vice president, Michael A. Olivares has been appointed vice president, International. His responsibilities will include growth and profitability of all international joint ventures and partnerships of Air Products. He joined Air Products in 1978 and has held engineering and operations positions as well as management roles for Air Products Puerto Rico and Air Product’s joint venture company, Bangkok Industrial Gas Ltd. in Thailand.

Alexander W. Masetti will be responsible for expanding Air Product’s Six Sigma and Lean capabilities in his appointment as vice president, Continuous Improvement. Masetti joined Air Products in 1981 as an engineer and has held management positions within the Process Gas Division. He’s held vice president positions at Air Product’s joint venture companies; San Fu Chemical Company in Taipei, Taiwan and Daido Air Products Electronics in Osaka, Japan. Masetti’s most recent vice president position was within Air Product’s Tonnage Gases North America Division.

Replacing Masetti as vice president, North America Tonnage Gases, is Wilbur W. Mok. His responsibilities will include growing and directing existing pipeline, franchise, and on-site offerings. Mok joined Air Products in 1986 as a financial analyst and held various domestic and international engineering, commercial, and management positions. Mok served as president of Air Products China before his most recent position as president of the Asia region.
 

Innophos Elects Salmon Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Innophos recently announced that Neil Salmon had been elected Vice President and Chief Financial Officer by its Board of Directors. Mr. Salmon will oversee the financial activities of the Innophos companies, including accounting and regulatory reporting requirements, management of external financial relationships, and compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley.

Mr. Salmon has held various finance and accounting positions with Imperial Chemical Industries P.L.C. for nearly twenty years most recently serving as ICI’s Adhesives Business Group’s Chief Financial Officer. He assumed his responsibilities at the specialty phosphate producer’s corporate headquarters in Cranbury, New Jersey the first week of October.

Lonza Completes Acquisition of Simbiosys Biowares

Lonza Group has expanded its cell-biology platform with its acquisition of Simbiosys Biowares India Pvt. Ltd. Based in Bangalore, India, Simbiosys Biowares is a premier biology outsourcing company with core competencies in molecular and cell biology and clinical services. The deal is in sync with Lonza’s strategy to further develop its life-science platform and to expand its global cell biology portfolio. In addition, it strengthens the company’s position as global leader in cell discovery by integrating a unique service model into Lonza’s portfolio.

Simbiosys Biowares India Pvt Ltd offers preclinical services in the areas of drug discovery, molecular biology contract research and biopharmaceuticals

.

DyStar Files Insolvency, Stops Production in Germany

Major textile chemical manufacturer, DyStar, has been forced to stop production at its 5 manufacturing sites in Germany – Frankfurt, Leverkusen, Brunsbuttel, Gerestried and Ludwigshafen.

Three temporary insolvency administrators were appointed by a Frankfurt court after the company filed insolvency late in September due to its inability to pay wages and bills. While DyStar management and the administrators work to secure financing to resume production, KPMG consultants have been hired to find an investor to buy DyStar.
In the meantime, DyStar’s 1,300 workers are receiving insolvency pay by the employment office. It is unclear whether the insolvency had affected DyStar’s production outside Germany.

DyStar ranks with Clariant and Huntsman as one of the world’s largest textile chemical producers.

Dow Chemical Completes Divesture of Morton Salt

 Dow Chemical Company recently completed the sale of its interest in Morton International Inc. to K+S Aktiengesellschaft for $1.68 billion. The deal for the Morton Salt business is expected to make the Kassel, Germany-based company the largest salt producer in the world.

Dow will use approximately $1billion of the proceeds from the sale to pay off a bridge loan used for its acquisition of Rohm and Haas Co. from earlier in the year. As part of its broader deleveraging plan, Dow will use the remaining sale proceeds and those from future, non-strategic definitive divestiture agreements to pay down other debt.
 

Trimeris Announces Merger Agreement

Biopharmaceutical company, Trimeris, Inc. has entered into a merger agreement with Korean corporation, Arigene Co., Ltd. Under the agreement, Arigene will acquire Trimeris for approximately $81 million through a cash tender offer of $3.60 per share. A merger will follow whereby Arigene will obtain all remaining Trimeris shares at the same price per share paid in the tender offer. Voting agreements from Trimeris’ stockholders have been executed in support of the merger and the transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies. The parties expect the tender offer and merger to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009. If successful, Arigene’s wholly owned subsidiary, RTM Acquisition Company will be merged with and into Trimeris. Trimeris will continue as the surviving corporation and as a result of the merger, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Arigene.
 

Solvay’s Pharmaceuticals Business Acquired by Abbott

Abbott is to acquire Solvay Group’s pharmaceuticals business providing a presence in global emerging markets. The $6.6 billion acquisition will provide Abbott with global right to the fenofibrate franchise. Abbott currently owns U.S. rights to fenofibrate and pays royalties to Solvay.

Solvay’s treatments for Parkinson’s disease, vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, and Ménière’s disease as well as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and men’s and women’s hormonal health, will complement Abbot’s presence in the neuroscience, gastroenterology, and cardiovascular disease markets.

The transaction will also include Solvay’s small molecular diagnostics unit and vaccines business, which will expand Abbot’s global vaccines presence.

As a result of this acquisition, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, based in Belgium, will add more than $3 billion in annual sales, primarily outside the U.S. in such markets as Eastern Europe and Asia. Abbott will increase its annual pharmaceutical Research and Development investment by $500 million.
 

Clariant Closes Two Masterbatch Facilities

Clariant plans to close its Lachine, Quebec and Milford, Delaware masterbatch facilities as a result of over-capacity in the North American market. The Toronto, Ontario and Albion, Michigan masterbatch locations will assume production responsibilities.

To allow for the transferred manufacturing business, the Albion and Toronto facilities will hire workers locally. Production at Lachine will cease the end of December 2009, while Milford’s production will be phased out gradually, ending mid-2010.

Transferring Lachine’s production to Toronto’s larger site will allow Clariant to utilize capabilities to better serve its customers. Albion provides a modern manufacturing facility to accommodate Milford’s workload.

Ten (10) full-time employees at Lachine and 33 at Milford have agreed to work until a pre-arranged release date and will receive severance packages which comply with local law.

 

CalciTech Synthetic Minerals Files New Patent

CalciTech Synthetic Minerals Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CalciTech Ltd., has filed an application for a new patent at the UK Patent Office. The new patent will extend the patent protection of CalciTech’s process and product to be utilized in production of a Synthetic Calcium Carbonate ("SCC"). Equivalent applications will be filed in due course claiming the benefit of the UK filing date to obtain patent coverage in all major markets.

The SCC possesses a variety of features including a unique morphology (rice grain shape), a very narrow particle size distribution and exceptional purity, which produces a very high brightness. To satisfy the large majority of applications, the company typically produces particles in the sub-micron range. In this scenario however, CalciTech can use the identical process for production of other particle sizes in the nano and micron range. Such a wide range of capability opens up additional applications in expanding markets. The company has focused considerable time and energy towards the development of the processes at both laboratory scale and in the pilot plant.

Albermarle Introduces New Cost-Effective Catalyst

Baton Rouge, Louisiana-based specialty chemical developer Albemarle Corporation has produced a cost-effective catalyst that improves both hydroprocessing and profitability. The company recently introduced Ketjenfine® 868 (“KF 868”), a product designed to significantly improve the performance of vacuum gas oil ("VGO") hydrocracking pretreatment performance. Built on Albemarle's patented STARS™technology, KF 868 offers best-in-class hydroprocessing activity for VGO units where both high aromatics saturation and hydrodenitrogenation activity are required. It improves VGO hydrocracking operations by providing step-out performance and represents the high-end solution for hydrocracking pretreatment units. It optimizes catalyst cycle length while increasing output and enabling refiners to process cheaper, lower-quality feedstocks without additional capital expenses.

KF 868 is the latest catalyst development from Albemarle and is a major asset for the Hydroprocessing Alliance between the company and Honeywell’s UOP. A collaboration of resources between Albermarle and UOP, the Hydroprocessing Alliance delivers the most comprehensive portfolio of processes, catalysts, equipment and services available. The Alliance offers customized hydroprocessing solutions designed to optimize unit performance and improve yields in refineries worldwide.

Folotyn™ Granted Accelerated Approval in U.S.

The FDA granted accelerated approval of Folotyn™, manufactured by Allos Therapeutics, Inc. The single agent treatment is now available for commercial sale in the United States.

Folotyn™ (pralatrexate injection) is a new therapeutic option used to treat patients with relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). It is the first and only drug approved by the FDA for this indication. It is now available to U.S. health care providers and will be marketed and sold through Allos’ 25 sales specialists, which is expected to increase to approximately 50 sales specialists before its full-scale launch in January, 2010.

Allos Therapeutics, Inc., headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of anti-cancer therapeutics.

ISP Pharmaceuticals Embarks on Drug Solubility Initiative
 

Leading global supplier of specialty chemicals ISP Pharmaceuticals has launched a Drug Solubility initiative. The emphasis of the enterprise will be on R&D in support of those pharmaceutical companies working with drug actives that exhibit poor solubility. ISP will expand its facilities and increase its personnel dedicated to solubilization efforts and establish alliances with other companies involved in developing technologies for solubilization and outreach programs to the industry.

By using its expertise in material science as well as a broad portfolio of ingredients as the foundation for activities ranging from traditional formulation technologies to work with emerging formulation technologies, ISP will address the solubility issue on several fronts and opening up numerous opportunities for pharmaceutical companies. Companies could realize improved safety and efficacy, better patient compliance and the ability to maximize their intellectual property over a longer period of time. ISP will develop a database of solutions to assist pharmaceutical companies develop workable commercial solutions, with every drug active having its own range of requirements and each project having specific physical and cost parameters.

Converted Organics’ Fertilizers See Continued Success

Cranberry growers in the northeast continue to re-order organic granular and liquid fertilizer products manufactured by Converted Organics Inc. Feedback being provided by cranberry growers particularly in Massachusetts is evidence of the fertilizer’s value to production strategy, namely higher yields, better growth, and a reduction in berry rot.

Converted Organics uses its proprietary High Temperature Liquid Composting (HTLC) system to convert food waste into its dry pellet and liquid concentrate organic fertilizers. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, it currently runs two manufacturing facilities located in Woodbridge, New Jersey and Gonzales, California. A third is under development in Johnston, Rhode Island.
 

Novapex Starts Isopropanol Production

Novapex announced it will start isopropanol production at its new unit in Roussillon, France. The phenol and acetone producer will begin production at its 40,000 tonne/year unit January 1, 2010. Novapex will use its own acetone supply as feedstock to produce isopropanol in three grades to serve cosmetic, technical, and pharmaceutical markets. In addition, local contractor ERAS and Mitsui-licensed technology will allow the facility to be fully upstream integrated. Novapex, a Novacap subsidiary, is the only isopropanol production unit in Southern Europe. Novacap has been active in the acids, phenol/acetone, soda ash, and sodium bicarbonate sectors since 2003.
 

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Expands Alaskan Coatings Projects

Nanoscience solutions leader Industrial Nanotech, Inc. continues expansion of its coatings projects in Alaska. The company’s exclusive distributor in the state, Nanotech Energy Solutions, Inc., is increasing both the number and diversity of projects for the Nansulate® insulation and protective coatings product line which is used to insulate buildings and reduce energy costs. Multiple projects are underway including a large municipal building project in the City of Fairbanks and radiant heat foundations in the North Pole.

An increase in demand brought about by the technology’s effectiveness, has lead to requests for application classes from the trade unions in the area. Nanotech Energy Solutions presents training programs on product application for painting contractors who are union members.

Dia Moulding Starts Factory in Slovakia

Japanese parent company, Mitsubishi Plastics has opened its Slovakian plastic moulding production facility – Dia Moulding Slovakia. Located in Nitra, Slovakia, the $33.9 million factory will initially produce moulding parts used in home appliances, and may also manufacture car parts in the future. Start-up of the facility will enable Mitsubishi Plastics to provide the same goods it supplies to the Japanese market to those in Europe. Dia Moulding was established in 2008 to provide production bases in eastern and central Europe.

Metabolix Awarded USDA Grant

Bioscience company, Metabolix, Inc. has received a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Awarded by the Department’s Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES), it will fund a program designed to produce advanced formulations of bioplastic for use on commercial scale equipment running at manufacturing spee. Metabolix will use the award to further enhance biobased, biodegradable resins suitable for blow molding operations.

According to the American Plastics Council, more than 2 million tons of HDPE plastic each year is used to produce blow molded bottles, containers and other products. As the major components of the traditional petroleum-based plastics manufacturing industry, they are suitable for replacement by biobased, biodegradable materials.

 

Frutarom Industries Initiates New Global Branding

Global flavor and specialty ingredient leader Frutarom Industries Ltd. has launched new branding for its activities in 46 locations worldwide. The company’s new branding includes unique colorful elements for each of its different products and solutions segments, combined to achieve visual harmony.

In business since 1933, Frutarom has utilized nature symbols to characterize the synergy between its businesses and the unique added value offered its customers. The company has an established legacy in citrus specialty products. Oranges were chosen to symbolize the company’s Taste abilities and proficiency with flavors and food systems. Chili illustrates Frutarom’s Savory Solutions abilities to create fresh, tailor-made products in the delicatessen, convenience food, meat and fish industry sectors. The Echinacea flower was selected to represent the Frutarom Health, a segment which provides ingredients for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and functional food industries. The company’s activity in the area of flavor & fragrance ingredients is symbolized by the image of a coffee tree.

ACC Praises Chemical Management Policy Gathering

A Future U.S. Chemicals Policy conference was held recently, with the purpose of exploring fundamental changes to the current federal chemical management policies. Organizations representing chemical manufacturers, public health and environmental advocates, environmental justice leaders and product goods companies came together at the historic event to discuss a law regarding the safety of products and the main concern of public health.

While chemical products are fundamental to the American modern way of life, current primary federal law is over 30 years old. The focus of the conference was harnessing scientific and technological advances and applying them to the development of a comprehensive chemical management law to protect the health and safety of Americans while still promoting innovative products and creating new jobs.

While there is much to be done, the dialogue will continue as colleagues in other similar organizations and government work towards the development of a gold-standard approach to chemicals management.