Chemical Business Newsbase articles from April 2011, page 8

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from April 2011

BioLegend releases Brilliant Violet 421 antibody conjugates for advanced flow cytometry applications.
April 13, 2011... BioLegend Inc announced the release of over fifty Brilliant Violet 421 antibody conjugates for use in flow cytometry and microscopy. BioLegend developed these reagents using Brilliant Violet 421, the first in a series of novel polymer-based...

RegeneRx reports new statistically significant data confirming repair of corneal damage in dry eye model.
April 13, 2011... RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals Inc announced positive new data related to RGN-259, its preservative-free ophthalmic drug candidate. In a second 'dry eye' study conducted by Ora Inc using their Pre-clinical CAE Murine (mouse) Model, four active...

iBioLaunch technology versatility confirmed in peer-reviewed scientific publications.
April 13, 2011... iBio Inc announced release of results from a series of scientific studies of the breadth of product applicability of its iBioLaunch technology. The results were published in a supplemental edition of the scientific journal Human Vaccines. The...

Unigene increases support for Tarsa in preparation for oral calcitonin NDA submission.
April 13, 2011... Unigene Laboratories Inc (Unigene) announced that on 8 Apr 2011, along with the founding investors of Tarsa Therapeutics (Tarsa), the company entered into an agreement to purchase $1.5 M in convertible promissory notes and warrants from Tarsa to...

BioSante Pharmaceuticals announces Teva new drug application for Bio-T-Gel.
April 13, 2011... BioSante Pharmaceuticals Inc (BioSante) announced that a New Drug Application (NDA) has been accepted for filing by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following submission in Jan 2011 by a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd...

4SC announces treatment of first patient in Phase I TOPAS study with the selective HDAC inhibitor 4SC-202.
April 13, 2011... 4SC announced that the first patient has been treated in the Phase I TOPAS study with 4SC-202, a selective histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor which is also characterised by an anti-mitotic mechanism of action. The study will evaluate the...

Constellation Energy to develop 4.5 MW solar power system with Holyoke Gas & Electric.
April 13, 2011... Constellation Energy and Holyoke Gas & Electric Department (HG&E) announced the development of a new 4.5 megawatt solar installation which will generate electricity for the municipally owned utility's 18,000 customers in Holyoke, MA. The...

Nuevo Midstream launches with $65 M equity commitment.
April 13, 2011... Nuevo Midstream LLC has secured a $65 M equity commitment to support formation of the company. Nuevo Midstream is a start-up midstream company based in Houston. The company will focus on developing and operating midstream infrastructure for...

Commission Implementing Decision of 11 Apr 2011 concerning the non-inclusion of dichlobenil in Annex I to Council Directive 91/414/EEC.
April 13, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011.The European Commission having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 Jul 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market,...

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6140 - Dupont/Danisco).
April 13, 2011... On 4 Apr 2011, the European Commission decided not to oppose notified concentration (Case COMP/M.6140 - Dupont/Danisco) and to declare it compatible with the common market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No...

Communication from the Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands pursuant to Article 3(2) of Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using author.
April 13, 2011... The Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation hereby gives notice that an application has been received for authorisation to prospect for hydrocarbons in an area known as Terschelling-Noord. The area covered by the application is...

Communication from the Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands pursuant to Article 3(2) of Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conditions for granting and using author.
April 13, 2011... The Minister for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation hereby gives notice that an application has been received for authorisation to prospect for hydrocarbons in a segment of block K1 as indicated on the map attached as Annex 3 to the...

New and generic drug approvals: Donepezil Hydrochloride Oral Tablet, Actavis Pharma.
April 13, 2011... On 13 Apr 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the tentative approval of ANDA 090551 for Donepezil Hydrochloride Oral Tablet. The product contains donepezil hydrochloride at 5mg or 10mg and is manufactured by Actavis Pharma. There...

New and generic drug approvals: Zolmitriptan Oral Tablet, Teva Pharms.
April 13, 2011... On 13 Apr 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the tentative approval of ANDA 090861 for Zolmitriptan Oral Tablet. The product contains zolmitriptan at 2.5mg or 5mg and is manufactured by Teva Pharms. There are no therapeutic...

New and generic drug approvals: Theophylline Oral Solution, Silarx.
April 13, 2011... On 13 Apr 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration announced approval of ANDA 091156 for Theophylline Oral Solution. The product contains theophylline at 80mg/15ml, is manufactured by Silarx, and is prescription only. There are no therapeutic...

New and generic drug approvals: Calcium Acetate Oral Tablet, Paddock Labs.
April 13, 2011... On 13 Apr 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration announced approval of ANDA 091561 for Calcium Acetate Oral Tablet. The product contains calcium acetate at eq 160mg calcium, is manufactured by Paddock Labs, and is prescription only. There are...

FDA approves new treatment for large brain aneurysms.
April 13, 2011... The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the cPAX Aneurysm Treatment System for surgery on brain aneurysms that are difficult to manage because of their size and shape. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of a blood vessel, which can...

Topsoe awarded contract for a coal to SNG plant with Hui Neng in China.
April 13, 2011... Haldor Topsoe A/S has been awarded the contract for the second out of four SNG projects approved by China's National Development and Reform Commission. The plant will be commissioned by the Hui Neng Group, a major coal mining company in the...

Rhodia invests to improve the competitiveness of its Acetow plant in Germany.
April 13, 2011... On 13 Apr 2011, Rhodia SA started up a new cellulose acetate production unit at its Freiburg site in Germany. The EUR 14 M investment increases the competitiveness of cellulose acetate production and is one of a number of investments made by...

Rhodia completes the acquisition of PI Industries' engineering plastics business in India.
April 13, 2011... Rhodia SA has completed the acquisition of the engineering plastics business of Indian company PI Industries Ltd (PIIL), after receiving approval of country's authorities. Rhodia Polymers & Specialties India Private Ltd is the name of the...

Drug advice.
April 13, 2011... The Drugs Testing Lab, Bangalore, India has classified few batches of drugs produced by some Indian pharmaceutical companies to be of substandard quality. The drugs include Aspirin delayed release tablets USP/Ecosprin-150 tablets Batch No....

Determination that Novantrone (mitoxantrone hydrochloride) injection, euivalent to 25 mg base/12.5 mL and equivalent to 30 mg base/15 mL, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
April 13, 2011... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that Novantrone (mitoxantrone hydrochloride) Injection, equivalent to (EQ) 25 mg base/12.5 mL and EQ 30 mg base/15 mL, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness....

Escherichia coli O157:H7 specific bacteriophages; temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance.
April 13, 2011... This regulation, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes a temporary exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of lytic bacteriophages that are specific to Escherichia coli O157:H7, sequence negative...

Etoxazole; pesticide tolerances.
April 13, 2011... This regulation, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes tolerances for residues of etoxazole in or on pepper/eggplant subgroup 8-10B at 0.20 ppm; tea, dried at15 ppm; berry, low growing, subgroup 13-07G at 0.50 ppm;...

Notice of withdrawal of pesticide petitions for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.
April 13, 2011... This notice, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announces the withdrawal of pesticide petitions (0G7716, 8F7489, 9E7635, and 9F7587) proposing the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide...

Streptomyces strain K61, and wood oils and gums; registration review final decisions; notice of availability.
April 13, 2011... This notice, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announces the availability of the EPA's final registration review decisions for the pesticides Streptomyces strain K61, and wood oils and gums. Registration review is EPA's...

Natural gas buoys mineral output. 2010-2011's production jump mainly due to KG-D6 fields. [1 table in original article].
April 13, 2011... India's mineral output was up by 12%, mainly due to increase in natural gas production from KG-D6 fields for 2010-2011. Output of bauxite was lower by 4% but its value was higher by 10%. Total output of minerals, excluding atomic minerals, was...

Determination that Keflex (cephalexin) capsule, equivalent to 333 mg base, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness.
April 12, 2011... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that Keflex (cephalexin) capsule, equivalent to (EQ) 333 mg base, was not withdrawn from sale for reasons of safety or effectiveness. This determination will allow the FDA to approve...

Purified carboxymethylcellulose from Mexico: notice of preliminary results of antidumping duty administrative review.
April 12, 2011... The US Department of Commerce is conducting an administrative review of the antidumping duty order on purified carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) from Mexico in response to a request from petitioner Aqualon Co, a unit of Hercules Inc. The review...

Aroma Performance showcases at Chempspec India exhibit in Mumbay.
April 12, 2011... RhodiaAroma Performance is the world leading manufacturer of diphenol derivatives such as catechol, hydroquinone, guaiacol, veratrole and others products of this range, widely used as intermediates in active ingredients synthesis for the crop...

Construction starts at chemical alumina plant site in Indonesia.
April 12, 2011... Showa Denko KK (SDK) and PT ANTAM (Persero) Tbk (Antam), of Indonesia, have started building a chemical alumina plant in the Tayan District, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, based on their agreement reached in Aug last year. A ground-breaking...

SDK names its heat-resistant transparent film "SHORAYAL".
April 12, 2011... Showa Denko KK (SDK) has decided to give the name of "SHORAYAL" to its new heat-resistant and transparent film for use in displays. Having established a process for commercial production of the film, SDK is building a pilot plant within the...

INDEX 2011: Wacker showcases polymer binders for high-quality textile and nonwoven applications.
April 12, 2011... At INDEX 2011, the Munich-based WACKER Group will showcase a wide range of water-based polymer binders for coating and modifying high-quality textiles and nonwovens. The focus will be on VINNAPAS and VINNOL copolymer dispersions based on vinyl...

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6063 - Itochu/Speedy).
April 12, 2011... On 1 Apr 2011, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 by which the undertaking Itochu Corp (Japan) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b)...

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6193 - TNK-BP/PVN/ConocoPhillips/NCS Pipeline) .
April 12, 2011... On 31 Mar 2011, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 by which TNK Overseas Ltd (TNK, Cyprus), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TNK-BP (Russian...

Prior notification of a concentration (Case COMP/M.6126 - Thermo Fisher/Dionex Corp).
April 12, 2011... On 4 Apl 2011, the European Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 and following a referral pursuant to Article 4(5) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 by which the undertaking Thermo Fisher...

Commission implementing Regulation (EU) No 351/2011 of 11 Apr 2011 amending Regulation (EU) No 297/2011 imposing special conditions governing the import of feed and food originating in or consigned from Japan following the accident at the Fukushima nuclea.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 Jan 2002 laying down the...

Commission implementing Directive 2011/38/EU of 11 Apr 2011 amending Annex V to Directive 2004/33/EC with regards to maximum pH values for platelets concentrates at the end of the shelf life.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Directive 2002/98/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 Jan 2003 setting standards of quality...

Commission implementing Directive 2011/39/EU of 11 Apr 2011 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include fenazaquin as active substance and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 Jul 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market...

Commission implementing Directive 2011/40/EU of 11 Apr 2011 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include sintofen as active substance and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 Jul 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market...

Commission Implementing Directive 2011/41/EU of 11 Apr 2011 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include dithianon as active substance and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 Jul 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the...

Commission Implementing Directive 2011/42/EU of 11 Apr 2011 amending Council Directive 91/414/EEC to include flutriafol as active substance and amending Commission Decision 2008/934/EC.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 91/414/EEC of 15 Jul 1991 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the...

Commission Decision of 11 Apr 2011 amending Decision 2000/367/EC establishing a classification system for resistance-to-fire performance for construction products, construction works and parts thereof.
April 12, 2011... Adopted on 11 Apr 2011. The European Commission, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Council Directive 89/106/EEC of 21 Dec 1988 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative...

Xention Discovery and Ono Pharmaceutical Co Ltd extend drug discovery agreement.
April 12, 2011... Xention Ltd has extended its collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (Ono). The drug discovery agreement between the companies was entered into in Mar 2009 for a two-year term. The collaboration has been successful in identifying multiple...

Astex Therapeutics announces commencement of Phase I study for AZD5363 in anti-cancer collaboration with AstraZeneca PLC.
April 12, 2011... Astex Therapeutics (Astex) confirms the commencement of a Phase I study for AZD5363, a Protein Kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) inhibitor. AZD5363 is a clinical candidate selected in Jan 2010 by AstraZeneca subsequent to its collaborative...

Zealand Pharma and Sanofi-Aventis (France)'s antidiabetic sees Phase III success.
April 12, 2011... Zealand Pharma and partner sanofi-aventis reported positive data from the largest of its nine-trial Phase III programme evaluating the once-daily GLP-1 agonist lixisenatide in the treatment of patients with Type 2 diabetes. The...

Intellect Neurosciences Inc files Orphan Drug Application in the US for its clinical candidate OX1 for the treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia.
April 12, 2011... Intellect Neurosciences Inc has filed an orphan drug application with the Office of Orphan Products Development of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to have Orphan Drug Designation granted to its clinical stage drug candidate, OX1...

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Inc (formerly known as NovaCal Pharmaceuticals Inc) spotlights positive results for its novel anti-infective at 2011 Simon Foundation Conference.(Conference news)
April 12, 2011... NovaBay Pharmaceuticals Inc presented a poster on the efficacy of its Aganocide compound as a potential agent for prevention and treatment for urinary catheter blockage and encrustation, often leading to urinary tract infections, at the 2011...

Trius Therapeutics announces patent term extension for torezolid phosphate.
April 12, 2011... Trius Therapeutics Inc has received official notification from the US Patent and Trademark Office that US Patent No 7,816,379 which covers the composition of matter of torezolid phosphate (TR-701), the company's lead investigational drug, has...

Tafamidis, an oral, investigational compound for the treatment of Transthyretin Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) sustained a slowing of disease progression over 30 months.
April 12, 2011... Pfizer Inc announced data from an open-label extension study (Fx-006) of the pivotal Phase II/III (Fx-005) trial. This extension study evaluated the long-term clinical outcomes of tafamidis, a novel, oral, investigational compound being studied...

FDA Advisory Committee finds data support the favourable benefit-risk profile Of Sutent in unresectable pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (NET).
April 12, 2011... Pfizer Inc announced that the US FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 8-2 that Sutent (sunitinib malate) provides a favourable benefit-risk profile for the treatment of unresectable pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NET). The...

Research and Markets: Global Alzheimer prevalence and drugs demand.
April 12, 2011... Research and Markets has announced the addition of the 'Global Alzheimer Prevalence and Drugs Demand' report to their offering. The report on Global Alzheimer Prevalence and Drugs Demand includes the overall market for the treatment of...

Biodesix issued four additional US patents for blood-based oncology tests.
April 12, 2011... Biodesix Inc announced that the US Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) has issued four patents which collectively provide broad intellectual property protection for the company's products and technology. The patents provide additional coverage...

Ensemble Therapeutics achieves milestone in Bristol-Myers Squibb collaboration.
April 12, 2011... Ensemble Therapeutics has achieved an important milestone in its research collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co by successfully developing Ensemblins against one of the designated key drug targets, resulting in an undisclosed milestone...

Affymetrix releases Axiom Genome-Wide CHB 1 Array.
April 12, 2011... Affymetrix Inc announced the expansion of its Axiom product line with the launch of the Axiom Genome-Wide CHB 1 Array, the first commercial product to maximize genetic coverage of common alleles in Han Chinese populations. This array is the...

Yissum presents promising pre-clinical results for oral delivery of the anti-cancer drug Docetaxel using a novel nanotechnology approach.
April 12, 2011... Yissum Research Development Co Ltd (Yissum) announced successful pre-clinical data of oral delivery of Docetaxel, an anti-cancer drug, utilizing a novel nanotechnology platform. The technology, invented by Professor Simon Benita, Head of...

Onset Medical announces new patent for SoloPath endovascular access catheter.
April 12, 2011... Onset Medical Corp announced that the US Patent Office has notified the company a new patent has issued entitled Expandable Transluminal Sheath. This new patent provides 24 claims surrounding Onset Medical's fundamental Controlled Deployment...

Nano Terra acquires Surface Logix, biomedical development firm.
April 12, 2011... Nano Terra Inc is acquiring Surface Logix Inc, a drug development company founded by renowned Harvard scientist Professor George Whitesides. Surface Logix has made significant breakthroughs in enhancing the molecular functionality of...

OriginOil signs first major distribution deal with process partner.
April 12, 2011... OriginOil Inc announced that a process partner, World Water Works Inc, has agreed in principle to distribute OriginOil's dewatering and extraction systems to its global customer base. The agreement covers product integration, manufacturing and...

Solar Power Partners and JCM Capital Solar fund signs 20 MW of projects.
April 12, 2011... Solar Power Partners (SPP) and JCM Capital jointly have signed an agreement with Solar Power Network (SPN), to provide full project financing for up to 20 MW of commercial-scale rooftop installations to be located throughout southwestern...

Carmanah Technologies develops solar engine for ADB Airfield Solutions.
April 12, 2011... Carmanah Technologies in partnership with ADB Airfield Solutions announce the completion of the wireless solar engine power supply (SEPS) for ADB airfield lights and visual navigation aid products. Carmanah Technologies, internationally...

DeWind Co announces acquisition of 20 MW wind project in Northern Texas.
April 12, 2011... DeWind Co announced that it recently acquired the rights for the 20 MW Frisco wind project, located in the northern-most portion of Hansford County, TX, from local developer Distributed Wind Systems LLC, of Guymon, OK. The 20 MW Frisco project...

Ontility opens new distribution centre and retail store in Houston, TX.
April 12, 2011... Ontility is opening one of the largest solar products distribution centres in the solar industry on 2 May 2011. The new distribution centre will bring Ontility's warehouse capacity to over 80,000 sq ft. Additionally, Ontility's new 50,000 sq ft...

Solar3D successfully completes design of a key element of its high efficiency solar cell.
April 12, 2011... Solar3D Inc has completed the design of the Light Collector section, a critical part of its novel solar cell. Inspired by light management techniques used in fibre optic devices, the company's innovative solar cell technology utilizes a...

Flint Hills Resources finalizes long-term arrangements with Anadarko Petroleum and Harvest Pipeline.
April 12, 2011... Flint Hills Resources has completed long-term arrangements with Anadarko Petroleum Corp and Harvest Pipeline Co that will bring additional quantities of Eagle Ford crude and condensate production to Corpus Christi. Flint Hills Resources LLC,...

Group to certify recycling of construction waste.
April 12, 2011... Various groups headed by Eola, IL, USA-based Construction Materials Recycling Association is developing a nationwide recycling rate certification programme for the construction and demolition debris reuse and recycling sector. Public comment is...

Lanxess expands capacity for HNBR.
April 12, 2011... Lanxess AG is raising by 40% the output capacities for Therban-branded hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber at its plants in Orange, TX, USA and Leverkusen, Germany. The Leverkusen project is slated to be finished in Apr 2012, while the...

Compounder Polymer-Chemie expands in Russia.
April 12, 2011... Polymer-Chemie GmbH officially launched on 8 Apr 2011 the initial expansion stage of the compounding facility of its Tula Polymer subsidiary in Russia's Tula region. The initial investment of more than EUR 12 M is expected to be increased to...

Europe ahead of PVC recycling goals.
April 12, 2011... The final Progress Report on Vinyl 2010 indicated that the European PVC industry is well ahead of its preliminary target of recycling a further 200,000 tonnes/y of unregulated post-consumer PVC waste by 2010. In 2010 alone, Vinyl 2010's European...

Phoenix Packaging expanding in Virginia.
April 12, 2011... Phoenix Packaging Operations LLC is doubling the size of its packaging operations in Dublin, VA, USA to keep up with the company's rapid growth. Phoenix's $25 M, 100,000 sq ft Dublin plant was just officially unveiled on 30 Mar 2011. Bids are...

German plastics processors report rebound.
April 12, 2011... Germany's plastics processing sector bounced back from a 14% decline in 2009 by posting a 14% gain in sales to EUR 51.3 bn ($74.3 bn) in 2010. Production volume totalled 12.2 M tonnes, up 7% year on year. Exports stood at EUR 18.3 bn ($26.5 bn),...

Peru to invest billions in mining.
April 12, 2011... The Peruvian mining industry is to invest heavily. Companies would like to undertake more research and development and development work on uranium reserves and rare earths. The mining ministry has given the green light for 13 mining projects....

Romania: Airbus will produce biokerosene.
April 12, 2011... European aircraft manufacturer Airbus together with Romanian state airline Tarom and a consortium of other investors has begun a project to develop bio-kerosene. A fuel will be produced from Camelina plants and will be an alternative to fossil...

US: BP sells sheet business to Japan.
April 12, 2011... BP is selling its subsidiary Arco Aluminium Inc to a consortium comprising Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Furukawa Sky Aluminum Corp, Sumitomo Corporation, Itochu Corporation and Itochu Metals Corporation for $680 M in cash. The deal is...

Study believes nickel high-point is reached.
April 12, 2011... The nickel price could have already reached its highest point this year. The price has risen 11.9% since the start of 2011. The market has been supported by problems in the availability of supply, including the close of Vale's Copper Cliff...

Brazil: Petrobras must finance investments with billions in loans.
April 12, 2011... Petrobras will have to raise $12-18 bn to finance its extensive in the next few years. This sum is needed to cover annual writedown costs. Petrobras may not obtain all the money via bonds. It could also turn make use of credit lines or revolving...

S Korea: Bosch and Samsung to spend $500 M on expanding battery production.
April 12, 2011... Bosch and its joint venture partner Samsung are to expand battery production in S Korea and will invest $500 M on this by 2013. The venture, SB LiMotive Co currently produces 50,000 rechargeable automotive batteries per month. Capacity will...

US: Infineon files patent lawsuit against chip producer Atmel.
April 12, 2011... Chip producer Infineon Technologies and its subsidiary Infineon Technologies North America have filed a patent lawsuit against Atmel Corp in a District Court in Delaware. Infineon says Atmel has infringed eleven of its patents. It is seeking a...

China: copper imports up in Mar 2011.
April 12, 2011... China's copper imports in Mar 2011 have recovered somewhat from their fall in Feb, showing the typical seasonal effect of a recovery in late 1Q and 2Q. Imports of copper, alloys, and semi-finished goods were 304,399 tonnes in Mar, a rise of 29%...

Switzerland: Meyer Burger taking over machinery construction company Roth.
April 12, 2011... Roth & Rau is to become part of Swiss group Meyer Burger. Mayer Burger Technology AG will offer shareholders EUR 22/share in cash. This represents a premium of 41%. The deal will be completed in 3Q 2011. It will make Meyer Burger a...

Bayer MaterialScience raises prices for coatings and adhesives raw materials.
April 12, 2011... Bayer MaterialScience AG is raising the selling prices for its coatings and adhesives resins in the regions Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Latin America (LATAM) by 7% to 15 % with immediate effect. Product lines affected include...

Celanese announces ethylene vinyl acetate price increases.
April 12, 2011... On 12 Apr 2011, Celanese Corp announced that its subsidiary, Celanese EVA Performance Polymers Inc, will increase the price of all grades of Ateva EVA by $0.06/lb and all grades of LDPE by $0.05/lb effective 1 May 2011, or as contracts allow....

Evonik invests in isophorone plants in China.
April 12, 2011... Evonik Industries plans to construct new isophorone and isophorone diamine plants in Shanghai, China. Basic engineering at the Multi User Site China (MUSC), Evonik's production site in Shanghai, should be complete within the next few months and...

Agreement concluded: Evonik's collaboration with Unilever extended.
April 12, 2011... Lipton, a Unilever subsidiary, has been relying on the expertise of Evonik Industries AG's Advanced Intermediates Business unit for decaffeinating its black, green, and cold-brew teas. Lipton produces decaffeinated teas, which are in...