Chemical Business Newsbase articles from December 2009

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from December 2009

Communication from the Commission Guideline on the operation of the procedures laid down in Chapters II, III and IV of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1234/2008 concerning the examination of variations to the terms of marketing authorisations for medicinal.
December 31, 2009... Commission Regulation (EC) No 1234/2008 of 24 Nov 2008, concerning the examination of variations to the terms of marketing authorisations for medicinal products for human use and veterinary medicinal products (1), hereinafter 'the variations...

Nalco to locate smelter project in East Kalimantan: Due diligence report for Indonesian project to be ready by Feb 2010.
December 31, 2009... National Aluminium Co (Nalco) plans to set up its proposed 5 lakh-tonne aluminium smelter project in East Kalimantan province in Indonesia. The company has shelved the plan to set up the plant in South Sumatra region, as rail and port facilities...

Nitta Gelatin to set up unit in Gujarat.
December 31, 2009... Gelatine and related products manufacturer Nitta Gelatin plans to invest about Rup 30 crores to set up a plant to manufacture ossein, an intermediary product to manufacture gelatine, in Vadodara in Gujarat. The company expects to derive revenues...

Product recall mechanism for tyres.
December 31, 2009... The All-India Tyre Dealers' Federation has welcomed the Government of India's decision to make BIS quality control mandatory for tyres and tubes for automobiles and has urged the Government to put in place a product recall and product liability...

EndoGastric Solutions announces key patent issued.
December 31, 2009... EndoGastric Solutions (EGS), the recognized leader in the emerging field of Natural Orifice Surgery (NOS), announced that the US Patent and Trademark Office has issued a key patent covering its SerosaFuse fastener and 'over the wire' delivery...

Anika Therapeutics acquires Fidia Advanced Biopolymers: a leading innovator in hyaluronic acid based tissue engineered products.
December 31, 2009... Anika Therapeutics Inc announced that it has acquired Fidia Advanced Biopolymers Srl, a wholly-owned subsidiary of privately held Italian pharmaceutical company, Fidia Farmaceutici SpA FAB provides hyaluronic acid-based (HA) products in several...

ALL Fuels obtains stay pending the hearing on the motion to reconsider the order of approval of bankruptcy sale of ethanol plant.
December 31, 2009... ALL Fuels & Energy announced that its subsidiary, ALL Fuels - Jefferson, LLC, obtained a Stay Pending the Hearing on the Motion to Reconsider the Order signed on 17 Dec 2009, preventing Valero Renewable Energy Company from closing its...

Rentech says purported class-action lawsuits are without merit.
December 31, 2009... Rentech, Inc confirmed that purported class-action lawsuits were filed and announced on 29 Dec 2009 and 30 Dec 2009 against the company and certain of its officers and/or directors alleging that during the periods of 8 Feb 2008 through 15 Dec...

International Isotopes Inc announces submission of the license application for their uranium de-conversion and fluorine extraction processing facility.
December 31, 2009... International Isotopes Inc announces it has submitted its license application to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its depleted uranium de-conversion and fluorine extraction processing facility. In Mar 2009, the company announced...

Anesiva announces merger with Arcion Therapeutics will not be completed.
December 31, 2009... Anesiva Inc announced that it was unable to satisfy the closing conditions set forth in the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated 4 Aug 2009, among Anesiva, Arca Acquisition Corp, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anesiva, Arcion Therapeutics Inc...

Hard to Treat Diseases finalizes sale of its MindUp BioResearch Division to Hiru.
December 31, 2009... Hiru Corp and Hard to Treat Diseases (HTDS) are pleased to announce the finalization and completion of the purchase and sale of the MindUp BioResearch Division. The buyer Hiru focuses on production and manufacturing of premium herbs, herbal...

China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals projects higher net income and EPS on reduced revenue for full-year 2009.
December 31, 2009... China Yongxin Pharmaceuticals Inc (China Yongxin) announced its projected financial results for the year ending 31 Dec 2009. Revenues for 2009 are projected to be $46.1 M (-22% from $59.1 M in 2008). While a broader product portfolio and...

D-Pharm announces enrolment of first patient in DP-b99 Phase III efficacy study, MACSI.
December 31, 2009... D-Pharm Ltd announced enrolment of patients with acute ischemic stroke into its Phase III clinical study of DP-b99 (MACSI). The first patient has been enrolled at the Wolfson Medical Center, Israel. The MACSI trial involves numerous medical...

Positive response from FDA over Photocure's Hexvix.
December 31, 2009... The FDA has informed Photocure, Norway, that its product for detecting bladder cancer, Hexvix (hexaminolevulinate), could be approved in the US under certain conditions. These are that approval is granted for the blue light cytoscopy that is...

Brazil Braskem, Petrobras near deal on petrochem giant - sources.
December 31, 2009... Brazilian petrochemicals company Braskem (controlled by the Odebrecht group) and state-run energy giant Petrobras have reached an agreement on the formation of a petrochemicals giant that will incorporate the assets of Quattor (an association...

Global demand for flexible packaging grows by 3.5%/y up to 2013. [1 table in original article].
December 31, 2009... According to a report by Freedonia Group the world demand for flexible packaging will grow by 3.5%/y to reach 19 M tonnes by 2013. The factors improving demand will be a growth in the consumption of soft dinks and packaged foods which are the...

Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers should grow by 6%/y up to 2013. [1 table in original article].
December 31, 2009... Freedonia is predicting a 6.0%/y growth in global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) to 4.2 M tonnes by 2013. China will account for 42% of the new demand. In 2008 China's share of the world TPEs market was 32%, with a 42% share of the...

Hamza Industry produces mineral-filled PP pipes.
December 31, 2009... The Egyptian pipe manufacturer Hamza Industry has received an extrusion line for the direct production of pipes from highly mineral-filled polypropylene. Hamza has previously purchased pipes in Europe. The unit, which was supplied by Kraussmafei...

Arkema introduces Apolhya thermoplastic polymers.
December 31, 2009... Arkema has brought onto the market Apolhya, a series of thermoplastic polymers which, thanks to their nano-structure, are flexible and resistant to high temperatures and chemicals, combining the properties of polyamides with those of...

LyondellBasell HDPEs for rotary moulders.
December 31, 2009... LyondellBasell Industries has brought onto the market 2 new types of Lupolens (HDPE), GX 5002 and GX 5003, for rotary moulders. Both materials are resistant to temperatures as low as -30degC and to stress corrosion which, together with the...

New Bayer PC/ABS mixture for medical applications.
December 31, 2009... Bayer MaterialScience has expanded its PC/ABS mixtures programme with the medical variety Bayblend M850XF. The material is impact resistant, rigid, shape retentive, colour fast, resistant to high temperatures, and easy to process. It complies...

DoKaSch introduces air freight container made from Dyneema and Aeronite.
December 31, 2009... At the start of Oct 2009 the aircraft equipment manufacturer DoKaSch GmbH introduced the new AKE lw-65 air freight container which is constructed from RP10 panels comprising composite materials made from DSM's Dyneema fibres and Aeronite, a...

Copper price down 26% in 2009, but closes on a high: regional.
December 31, 2009... Copper traded at an average price of $2.34217/lb on the London Metal Exchange in 2009, down 26% from the previous year, according to the Chilean state copper agency Cochilco. Cash copper prices, however, stood at a high of $3.33209/lb on 31 Dec...

Xstrata resorts to helicopters to keep Altonorte equipment working.
December 31, 2009... Xstrata has had to use helicopters to ferry its non-striking workers to its Altonorte copper smelter in northern Chile so as to avoid striking workers who have blockaded roads to the smelter and keep operations running. Essential equipment at...

Rusal aims to raise $2.6 bn in Hong Kong: Guyana, Jamaica.
December 31, 2009... Rusal, an aluminium and alumina producer based in Russia, plans to launch an initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong to raise up to $2.6 bn of funds. Scheduled on 27 Jan 2010, the IPO will offer about 10% share in the company. Rusal reported...

Nickel, cobalt output in 2009 reportedly lowest of decade: Cuba.
December 31, 2009... Cuba reportedly produced 60,000-65,000 tonnes of unrefined nickel and cobalt in 2009, its lowest output for the decade. Moa, a jv between Canadian firm Sherritt International and local firm General Nickel Co, accounted for 37,000 tonnes of the...

Sener: 2.3%/y gas production increase through 2024, 5.2% jump in imports: Mexico.
December 31, 2009... Mexico will see its natural gas production increase 2.3%/y to 8.67 bn cu ft/day (245 M cu m/day) during 2008-2024, according to the country's energy ministry Sener. The Burgos basin, the country's largest non-associated gas producing field, is...

Natural gas consumption to rise 2.8%/y through 2024, says Sener: Mexico.
December 31, 2009... Mexico will consume 11.2 bn cu ft/day of natural gas by 2024, representing a 2.3%/y increase from the 2008 level, according to the country's energy ministry Sener. The energy and oil sectors will see their consumption grow 3.5% and 2.3%,...

PDVSA, Eni agree to Junin 5 jv: Venezuela.
December 31, 2009... Venezuelan state oil PDVSA and Italy's Eni have agreed to form a jv to extract and refine oil from the Junin 5 block in the Orinoco belt, Venezuela. PDVSA will own 60% of the jv while Eni will own the rest. In its first phase, the project is...

Sener forecast calls for two new refineries in 2017, 2022: Mexico.
December 31, 2009... Mexico's Pemex Refinacion will construct two new refineries in 2017 and 2012, according to the country's energy ministry Sener. The first refinery, which will have a processing capacity of 250,000 bbls/day crude, could be built in Salina Cruz,...

2010 rubber directory and buyers guide.
December 31, 2009... This is a directory of global rubber product manufacturers and rubber industry suppliers. It includes alphabetical supplier and manufacturer listings of companies based in the US, Canada and Puerto Rico, providing one-stop shopping for...

Chemical Week: 2010 Buyers' Guide.
December 31, 2009... The directory lists over 12,000 chemical products and almost 1000 companies under 8 major sections: chemicals, raw materials and specialities; packaging, containers and bulk shipping; hazardous waste and environmental services; transportation...

Eastman introduces Solus 2300 performance additive.
December 31, 2009... Eastman Solus 2300 is the new performance additive for high-solids, Volatile Organic Compound-compliant coatings from Eastman Chemical Company. The product is designed for applications where performance and aesthetics are important (such as...

BYK-3350: surface-active additive based on patented macromer technology.
December 31, 2009... BYK-3550 is a surface active additive from BYK-Chemie which has been developed using a new process. The product is a silicone macromer modified polyacrylate which combines acrylate and silicone properties. Its performance depends on the polarity...

Bayer MaterialScience increases capacity in China to aliphatic coatings raw materials.
December 31, 2009... Bayer MaterialScience is to expand Desmodur N aliphatic coatings feedstock capacity in Caojing, China to 27,000 tonnes/y in order to satisfying the increase in demand from Asia (especially China). The company began production at the unit in Apr...

Milliken expands colorants portfolio for global thermoset plastics industry.
December 31, 2009... Milliken and Company has acquired N American company Rebus Inc (which makes pigment and additive dispersions for thermoset plastics and industrial coatings). The deal will expand Milliken's product portfolio (by complementing its Reactint...

Toupret extends its coatings range.
December 31, 2009... French coatings specialist Toupret currently employs 180 people and has 15% of the French decorative coatings market. The company makes powder coatings in Corbeille and paste coatings in St-Etienne. It also has sites in Spain and Lebanon, and...

Bostik: creativity is an absolute priority.
December 31, 2009... For 2008 Bostik registered a EUR 1.4 bn. It employed 5000 people in 50 production sites in 40 countries. The company is one of the world's leading suppliers of adhesives and mastics, making products for the consumer market, industry and...

Illuminating wear with composite electroless nickel coatings.
December 31, 2009... The US firm Surface Technology Inc has developed a new type of electroless nickel coating that can be made to glow in the dark. The phosphorescent material is being used a customer who needs to know when a coating is wearing. This could prevent...

Shape memory alloys for bridges.
December 31, 2009... Research by the University of Nevada suggests that shape memory alloys (SMAs) made of nickel and titanium could be used for bridges in earthquake-prone regions. Incorporation of SMAs could reduce bridge damage while only increasing capital costs...

The stainless alternative in public pools.
December 31, 2009... Stainless steel is becoming the material of choice for municipal governments in France for the construction of new swimming pools and refurbishment of existing facilities. The Vichy Water Sports Centre in Bellerive-sur-Allier, opened in 2008,...

A tale of two nickel economies: Australia and Germany. [3 tables in original article].
December 31, 2009... The importance of nickel in the economies of Australia and Germany is examined. Australia accounts for 12% of world nickel production. Germany accounts for 9% of nickel use. A table gives world rankings for production and usage. A further table...

Threatening prices. [2 figures in original article].
December 31, 2009... The European Plastics Converters (EuPC) has attacked the price increases for plastics announced by many suppliers. Converters are unable to pass these increases on to customers. EuPC considers that the suggested price increases endanger economic...

PP tsunami (overcapacity).
December 31, 2009... Chemical Market Associates Inc (CMAI) has warned of an imminent crisis in the polypropylene (PP) market with oversupply, falling product margins and lower prices for processors. There could be 3 M tonnes of extra PP capacity. However a flood of...

Fall of BOPP [1 figure in original article].
December 31, 2009... According to PCI Films Consulting demand for bioriented polypropylene (BOPP) in Western Europe fell by 3.1% in volume in 2008. This contrasts with a growth rate of 7% in Asia. In 1H 2008 increase in world oil and PP resin prices encouraged...

Dyes & Pigments. [1 table in original article].
December 31, 2009... According to the Freedonia Group world demand for dyes and pigments will increase in volume by 3.9% passing form a value of $13.4 bn in 2008 to $16.2 bn in 2013. . Volumes will grow by 3.5%/y to reach 2.3 M tonnes by 2013. A table givers world...

Future of bioplastics. [1 table in original article].
December 31, 2009... A report on bio-based plastics has been issued by European Bioplastics and European Polysaccharide Network of Excellence (EPNOE). The research carried out at Utrecht University focussed on capacity developments and technical substitution...

Continental recovery (plastics).
December 31, 2009... European decision makers have been asked to support the plastics recycling markets after the negative impact of the financial crisis. The annual report of PlasticsEurope shows that recycling is under threat as plastics demand increases and...

Waste to Far East (plastics).
December 31, 2009... Since Aug 2009 the Chinese authorities allow import of additional plastics (ethylene, styrene, PVC, PET bottles and CD-ROM scrap). According to European Plastics Recyclers (EuPR), this new policy will have negative impact on European recyclers....

Production and consumption (plastics). [1 figure in original article].
December 31, 2009... According to AMI Consulting a strong recovery in European sales for most thermoplastics is foreseen for 4Q 2009. In 41 2008 demand for thermoplastics shrank by 25%. Underlying demand is likely to be down by 4% for the whole of 2009 compared with...

AstraZeneca finances EGFR-mutations tests.
December 31, 2009... AstraZeneca is prepared to pay for the tests to provide evidence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosinkinase mutation, which is a criteria for the administration of the pharmaceutical Iressa (gefitinib) in the National Health...

Everolimus for kidney cancer now available in the UK.
December 31, 2009... Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd launched the protein kinase inhibitor Afinitor (everolimus) in Great Britain for the treatment of advanced kidney cancer in patients who failed to respond the a first-time therapy with a pharmaceuticals against a...

Amgen launches romiplostim for thrombocytopenic purpura.
December 31, 2009... Amgen launched the pharmaceutical Nplate (romiplostim) in Great Britain, a new drug to increase the formation of thrombocytes. Nplate is indicated for the long-term treatment in patients with chronic immunothrombocytopenic purpura. Romiplostim...

Saxagliptin to treat type 2 diabetes now available without prescription in the UK.
December 31, 2009... The pharmaceutical Onglyza (saxagliptin) by AstraZeneca and Bristol Myers Squibb for the improvement of the blood sugar adjustment in type 2 diabetes, is now available in Great Britain without a prescription. The drug is an additional therapy...

Roche launches tocilizumab for rheumatoid arthritis in the UK.
December 31, 2009... Roche launched the new pharmaceutical RoActemra (tocilizumab) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in Great Britain. Tocilizumab is an Interleukin-6-Receptor-Antagonist which has been approved for the treatment of medium-severe to severe...

FDA approves Lysteda for the treatment of heavy periods.
December 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lysteda tablets (tranexamic acid) manufactured by Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals, the first non-hormonal product for the treatment of heavy periods or menorrhagia. The drug stabilises the protein...

FDA approves Istodax against cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.
December 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pharmaceutical Istoday (romidepsin) from Gloucester Pharmaceutical Inc as injection solution for the treatment of the cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) in patients who beforehand received at...

Arzerra for the treatment of chronic lymphatic leukaemia.
December 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pharmaceutical Arzerra (ofatumumab) by Glaxo Group Ltd for the treatment of patients with chronic lymphatic leukaemia (CLL). Ofatumamab is a monoclonal antibody which increases the...

Table of pharmaceuticals recently approved by the FDA.
December 31, 2009... A table lists new pharmaceuticals which were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) during 26 Oct-18 Nov 2009 as follows: Arzerra (ofatumumab) for blood cancer by Glaxo Group Ltd; Byetta (synthetic exenatid) for diabetes by...

FDA approves Pennsaid for osteoarthritis in the knee.
December 31, 2009... Covidien, a global supplier of medical products and Nuvo Research Inc, a Canadian biotechnology company, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pharmaceutical Pennsaid (diclofenac sodium 1.5%, topical solution)....

FDA approves Qutenza for pain after shingles.
December 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Qutenza (capsaicin) plaster from NeurogesX for the treatment of pain due to a post-therapeutic neuralgia (PHN), ie neural pain which can follow shingles. Capsaicin is a substances which occurs...

Roche reports favourable results.
December 31, 2009... Swiss Roche Group announced positive results of a study with Actemra for the treatment of the systemic form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis which causes intermittent fever, skin rashes and arthritis symptoms. The study showed that patients...

AstraZeneca reports favourable results for Brilinta.
December 31, 2009... New data from the phase III study PLATO for the anticoagulant Brilinta (ticagrelor) from AstraZeneca showed that the drug can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in acute cardiac infarction patients compared to the conventional treatment...

NICOX prepares the marketing of a blockbuster drug.
December 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration accepted the documents filed by NICOX regarding the anti-inflammatory drug Naproxcinod and therefore paved the way for the blockbuster drug expected for 2010. This lead to a significant financial support by...

Advanced Cell Technologies plans application for stem cell therapy.
December 31, 2009... During the next few weeks, Advanced Cell Technology (ACT) will file for approval of clinical trials on humans with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the treatment of different eye disorders with pigment epithelial cells derived...

Protective influence vaccine derived from caterpillars.
December 31, 2009... US company Protein Sciences Corp failed to prove the safety of an experimental influenza vaccines according to a verdict by the advisory committee of the US Food and Drug Administration. The protective vaccine called FluBlok can be produced in...

Thai firms to develop blow moulding.
December 31, 2009... PTT Chemical and machinery supplier SMC have inked an MOU to further cultivate Thailand's blow moulding sector. PTT Chemical will bring online a 400,000 tonne/y LLDPE facility and 300,000 tonne/y LDPE plant by 2010. The company has an 800,000...

Complexes in China up and running.
December 31, 2009... ExxonMobil Chemical, along with partners Sinopec, Fujian Province and Saudi Aramco, has finished the Fujian Integrated Refining and Ethylene Project, China's first integrated refining and petrochemicals facility with foreign involvement. The...

VAM output in China.
December 31, 2009... Jiangsu Sopo will bring online by 2013 a new vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) plant in Zhenjiang, China. The 330,000 tonne/y unit will be based on a technology developed by DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. It will be integrated with Sopo's...

PU raw materials to be upped.
December 31, 2009... Perstorp will raise its production of aliphatic polyisocyanates in China by 2012, with capacity to hit 12,000 tonnes/y. The investment is in response to an anticipated 6%/y growth of the market. Plans are also in place to debottleneck existing...

Middle East catalysts jv.
December 31, 2009... Albemarle Corp and Sabic affiliate Ibn Hayyan Plastic Products will establish an equal jv to construct a 6000 tonne/y tri-ethyl aluminium plant, for startup in 2012. Tri-ethyl aluminium is applied as a co-catalyst in Ziegler-Natta olefin...

US slaps duties on bags from Asia.
December 31, 2009... The US Commerce Department has implemented antidumping duties, between 29% and 96%, on plastic bag imports from about 20 processors from Vietnam, Indonesia and Taiwan. The duties were the government's response to an appeal filed by US plastic...

Engineering resins boom to continue in Asia.
December 31, 2009... A BASF official expressed optimism that consumption of engineering resins for automotive applications will expand in Asia. Compared with the 25 kg used in vehicles in Europe, Asian cars use less than 5 kg of PA. Additionally, the automotive...

Middle East lure for companies.
December 31, 2009... Two antioxidant makers have set their eyes on the Middle East as a growth market for their products. South Korean firm Songwon has established a regional base to cater to the Middle East and African markets, and local warehouse units in Bahrain....

Attraction of the Indian market.
December 31, 2009... Chemical firms are starting to take notice of the prospects in India, as the country's economy continues to grow rapidly as that of China. Composites resins maker Reichhold has established a plant in Ranjangaon, Pune that will specialize in the...

Bioplastics on the uptrend.
December 31, 2009... A new study by market research company Freedonia forecasts the Asia Pacific region to be the main growth driver of the bioplastics market in 2013, with polylactic acid (PLA) to dominate the scene. This early, PLA grades are being improved and...

Thermoset technology breakthrough.
December 31, 2009... Resin maker DSM Composite Resins, in collaboration with machinery supplier Dieffenbacher and German industrial research institute Fraunhofer ICT, has developed a new direct compounding process that extends thermoset composites production into...

Sustainability drives sectors: eco-friendly plastics receive awards from SPE.
December 31, 2009... A number of material firms focusing on eco-friendly materials have been nominated and recognized at the recent 2009 Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) awards in the USA, reflecting the industry's stand to develop more...

Heavy weights in a light-weight world: JSP's EPP extends car applications.
December 31, 2009... Japanese foamed plastics maker JSP Corp still feels the effects of the dramatic decline in demand for new vehicles, but is hopeful with the market showing signs of recovery. The company produces P-Block, an expanded polypropylene (EPP), which it...

Localized show for the industry: eco-friendly materials exhibited at the M-Plas show in Malaysia.
December 31, 2009... The Malaysian plastics industry posted growth of 5.2% in sales, and 4.6% in exports in 2008. Against this backdrop, the recently concluded M-Plas show organized by Messe Dusseldorf Asia was held, with roughly 200 exhibitors from 20 countries and...

NR much more in demand.
December 31, 2009... A new report by the International Rubber Study Group indicates that planting of natural rubber increased six fold, following increased prices of the commodity in the last three years. The study covers 11 Asian countries, whose combined NR...

Carbon black output in China upped.
December 31, 2009... US firm Cabot is adding 150,000 tonnes/y to its carbon black capacity in China, boosting its total to 300,000 tonnes/y. The Tianjin plant is a jv between Cabot China and Shanghai Coking Chemical.

Asian HQ for butyl rubber.
December 31, 2009... Lanxess is relocating from Fribourg, Switzerland, to Singapore the global head office for its butyl rubber business division to be nearer to Asia Pacific's growing market. The firm is also constructing a 100,000 tonne/y butyl rubber unit on...

Michelin enters the Indian market.
December 31, 2009... Michelin will construct a $900 M production facility for radial truck and bus tyres in Tamil Nadu, India, for startup by 2012. The plant is intended to serve the country's fast-growing automobile market.