Chemical Business Newsbase articles from January 2009

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from January 2009

Sale of ready-mix concrete biz boosts L&T: Company expects slowdown in products, shipyards biz.
January 31, 2009... Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has reported a 216% higher net profit at Rup 1520 crores on net sales of Rup 8615 crores for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 482 crores on net sales of Rup 6383 crores in 3Q ended Dec 2007). The higher profit is...

Venkys (India): Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... Venkys (India) Ltd has recorded a net profit of Rup 1325 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 41,616 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 2373 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 39,365 lakhs in 3Q ended Dec...

Hindalco profit flat, sales down: Weak demand for aluminium in 4Q 2008-2009 seen.
January 31, 2009... Hindalco Industries has posted a net profit of Rup 545 crores for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 543 crores in 3Q ended Dec 2007). The company derived revenues of Rup 1980 crores from its aluminium and Rup 2139 crores from copper...

Surya Pharmaceutical: Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... Surya Pharmaceutical Ltd has posted a net profit of Rup 1330.84 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 19545.24 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 1197.18 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 11891.52 lakhs...

KCP Sugar: Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... KCP Sugar and Industries Corp Ltd has recorded a net profit of Rup 126.86 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 6333.17 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net loss of Rup 233.24 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 6599.28...

KSE: Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... KSE Ltd has registered a net profit of Rup 208.25 lakhs on net sales of Rup 9371.65 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 88.90 lakhs on net sales of Rup 7450.35 lakhs in 3Q ended Dec 2007). During 3Q 2008-2009, the company derived...

HBL Power Systems: Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... HBL Power Systems Ltd has registered a net profit of Rup 1757 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 29854 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 2644 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 28628 lakhs in 3Q ended...

Tide Water Oil: Results for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... Veedol brand lubricants manufacturer Tide Water Oil Co (India) Ltd has posted a net profit of Rup 521.51 lakhs on net sales/income from operations of Rup 12602.54 lakhs for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 898.84 lakhs on net sales/income...

Sagar Cements net profit down 65% for 3Q 2008-2009.
January 31, 2009... The Hyderabad-based cement firm Sagar Cements Ltd has recorded a 65% lower net profit at Rup 5.36 crores on total income of Rup 79.85 crores for 3Q ended Dec 2008 (net profit of Rup 8.88 crores on total income of Rup 69.32 crores in 3Q ended...

Zydus gets new approvals.
January 31, 2009... The United States Food and Drug Administration has granted marketing approval to Cadila Healthcare Ltd (Zydus Cadila) for the company's Lamotrigine chewable tablets, Lamotrigine tablets and Divalproex sprinkle capsules 125 mg, all in the...

Rio Tinto raises $1.6 bn selling mines to Vale.
January 31, 2009... Rio Tinto is selling two mines to Vale, a Brazilian rival, for $1.6 bn (#1.1 bn), just days after admitting that it may have to resort to a rights issue to pay down its debts. The mining giant is selling its Potasio Rio Colorado project in...

Government opens low-cost drug outlet at Amritsar.
January 31, 2009... India's Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has introduced a low-cost medicine bank scheme. The initiative was taken with a view to help out people by supplying medicines at slashed prices. In Nov 2008, such an outlet was opened. The...

Drug sales in negative territory.
January 31, 2009... According to the data collected by ORG-IMS, a 1.2% drop in the sales of retail drugs in Oct 2008 was reported. Despite the 12% growth of the industry in Aug 2008 and 14% in Sep 2008, a fall in the sales of the industry was observed in Oct...

NPPA increases prices of insulin drugs.
January 31, 2009... The NPPA has increased the prices of many insulin and cancer drugs. However, prices of drugs for the cure of diseases like meningitis and diphtheria have been slashed. Besides, NPPA will control the prices of 254 newly introduced medicine...

Ranbaxy reconstitutes its board of Directors.
January 31, 2009... Ranbaxy Laboratories and Daiichi Sankyo have declared the reconstitution of Ranbaxy's board of directors. This was done with a view to make available high quality, affordable medicines to the people. The declartion was made on 19 Dec 2008 at...

ConocoPhillips reports loss for 4Q 2008.
January 31, 2009... ConocoPhillips recorded a net loss of $31.8 bn in 4Q 2008, primarily as a result of charges related to writedowns on exploration and production assets acquired in 2006 and to investment in Lukoil of Russia, adjusted earnings on which totalled...

Pharmaceuticals: buying time. [1 figure in original article].
January 31, 2009... The decision by Pfizer to acquire Wyeth for about $68 bn is discussed. A graph shows that the acquisition will create the second largest pharmaceutical firm with a market capitalization of around $160 bn (the acquisition of Genentech by Roche...

Embryonic stem cells: can I serve you now?
January 31, 2009... Changing attitudes in the US towards the development of therapies based on embryonic stem cells are elucidated. President Obama is expected to overturn a ban on government-funded research into the use of human embryonic stem cells for the...

Azithromycin now available without prescription in the UK.
January 31, 2009... The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in Great Britain approved an application to make the pharmaceutical Clamelle (azithromycin 500 mg) for the treatment of Chlamydia infections available without prescription....

Sanofi-Aventis discontinues clinical development of rimonabant.
January 31, 2009... Sanofi-Aventis discontinued the clinical development of the pharmaceutical Acomplia (rimonabant) for all indications after the drug failed to gain approval in Oct 2008 due to safety concerns. A few hours after Sanofi-Aventis published its...

Schering Plough launches sugammadex in Great Britain.
January 31, 2009... Schering Plough launched the pharmaceutical Bridion (sugammadex) in Great Britain for the removal of neuromuscular blockages induced by rocuronium or vecuronium. Sugammadex is the first drug of a new category of active substances (so-called...

Pharmaceuticals expenditure by the National Health Service in England.
January 31, 2009... The pharmaceuticals expenditure of the National Health Service (NHS) in England rose by 5.7% to #11.2 bn in 2007. Expenditure by hospitals rose by 12% to #2.8 bn. Following drugs which are recommended by the National Institute of Clinical...

FDA approves new drug to treat an overactive bladder.
January 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the pharmaceutical Toviaz (fesoterodinfumarate) on 31 Oct 2008 (the manufacturer's name is not mentioned). The drug is available for patients with an overactive bladder. The safety and...

FDA approves rufinamid for severe form of epilepsy.
January 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration approved the pharmaceutical Banzel (rufinamid) manufactured by Eisai Medical Research Inc in Woodcliff Lake, NJ (USA) on 14 Nov 2008. Banzel is indicated for the supportive treatment of partial epilepsy...

FDA approves new analgesic.
January 31, 2009... The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new immediate release analgesic tablet tapentadol-hydrochloride for the relief of medium to strong acute pain on 21 Nov 2009. The drug is manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and is...

New round in the poker game between Roche and Genentech. Public takeover bid to shareholders.
January 31, 2009... Swiss Roche Group in Basel announced plans to acquire the remaining 44% stake in the US biotechnology company Genentech in Jul 2008. Since then negotiations between Roche and Genentech failed to yield success. Roche offered $89 per share but...

Tensions in the fertilizer markets.
January 31, 2009... The fertilizer market was very volatile in 2008 with increased demand and prices in the 1H but a sharp slowdown in the 2H. The IFA does not expect any real recovery in 2009. The organization forecasts that urea capacity will rise by around...

GPN investing EUR 110 M in two new production units.
January 31, 2009... GPN (part of Total) is investing more than EUR 110 M in two new fertilizer units in France; a nitric acid plant in Rouen and a urea plant in Grand-Puy. This will increase the firm's total capacity from 1.9 M tonnes to 2 M tonnes by mid-2009....

K+S Kali considering new potash mine to meet world demand.
January 31, 2009... Demand from Asia and Brazil is boosting growth in the world potassium fertilizer market. K+S Kali is carrying out a study for the construction of a new potash and magnesium mine in Rossleben, Germany at a minimum cost of EUR 600 M. A new mine...

Gratecap able to provide efficient logistics function.
January 31, 2009... The French fertilizer wholesaler Gratecap supplies around 225,000 tonnes/y. Its main storage facility is at La Rochelle. Some 75% of its products arrive by boat with 20% by rail and 5% by road.

French phosphate fertilizer imports 2007. [1 figure in original article].
January 31, 2009... A pie chart gives French phosphate fertilizer imports by % volume for 2007. These were split natural phosphates 21%, phosphoric acid 35%, diammonium phosphate and monoammonium phosphate 34% and triple superphosphate 10%.

Potassium chloride: Russia makes a return to French import market. [1 figure in original article].
January 31, 2009... A pie chart gives a breakdown of French potassium chloride imports at end of Aug 2008 by country of origin: Germany 51%, Spain and UK 29%, Russia 9% and other (including the Netherlands and Belgium) 11%. Russian imports only reappeared in...

Fertilizer distributor in merger to manage supply and storage.
January 31, 2009... The French independent fertilizer wholesaler Aubrun-Tartarin was acquired in Mar 2008 by a group of 27 merchants based in western central France. The firm has 2 major storage sites; Parthenay (capacity of 19,000 tonnes) and La Rochelle (9500...

Fertilizer imports: N Africa major supplier to French market. [1 figure in original article].
January 31, 2009... A table gives a breakdown of countries supplying France with phosphate fertilizers (% volume on 2007 imports). N Africa is France's leading supplier. Phosphate rock imports were split Morocco 70%, Algeria 20% and Tunisia 5%. Monoammonium and...

Canal Seine Nord Europe will bring opportunities for fertilizer sector.
January 31, 2009... The opening of a new section of the Canal Seine Nord Europe in 2015 will allow access for larger vessels. This is likely to increase water transport between the river Seine basin and Nord-Pas-de-Calais. The Seco fertilizer plant at Ribecourt...

Lautier responding to soil and plant requirements.
January 31, 2009... The French firm Lautier, based at Mazamet, has a turnover of around EUR 7 M. The company manufactures and supplies organic and inorganic fertilizers, mainly to the viticultural, fruit and market garden sectors.

Agronutrition focuses on research and innovation.
January 31, 2009... The French fertilizer supplier Agronutrition allocates 8% of its turnover to research and development. The firm specializes in products to prevent or treat mineral deficiencies as well as those which stimulate plant natural defences....

Bioethanol can do a world of good if produced sustainably.
January 31, 2009... Novozymes A/S, a Denmark based company started its first enzyme activities in Bangalore in 1983. In 2007, the company took possession of the enzyme activities of Biocon Ltd. The acquisition has strengthened the position of Novozymes in the...

Healthy growth ahead inspite of slowdown: KPMG.
January 31, 2009... North America and Europe are the largest regional markets followed by the Asia Pacific (APAC) pharma and biotech segments of the life sciences industry. It is envisaged that in the coming years, about $50 bn will be put into the Asia Pacific...

Bangalore Genei launches Geneipure DNA Purification kits.
January 31, 2009... Bangalore Genei unveiled NA kits for domestic and international customers. The kits are utilised for isolating pure, sequencing grade DNA using silica membrane technology. Moreover, the kit does not make use of hazardous organic solvents and...

Genzyme: India is very important market for us.
January 31, 2009... Genzyme, a biotechnology company manufactures products for the cure of rare diseases. The company focuses on developing products for the treatment of kidney disease, cancer, transplant and bio-surgical products. The product Myozyme introduced...

DST to fund research projects on neglected diseases.
January 31, 2009... The Department of Science and Technology (DST) introduced a scheme called 'Drugs and Pharmaceutical Research Programme' headed by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The initiative was taken with a view (DPRP) to improve the R&D projects...

Anasspec signs distribution agreement with Biogenuix Medsystems.
January 31, 2009... Anasspec Inc inked a distribution agreement with Biogenuix Medsystems Pvt Ltd. According to the agreement, Biogenuix will distribute AnaSpec's catalog and custom products like peptides, antibodies, dyes, assay kits, and synthetic reagents all...

Imperial sciences collaborates with DiscoveRx Forte Bio and GenVault.
January 31, 2009... Imperial Life Sciences (ILS) entered into partnerships with three global companies. The companies are namely DiscoveRx, Forte Bio and Gen Vault. DiscoveRx manufactures, develops and commercialises reagents and assay kits for the drug...

Sun Pharma update on ANDA for generic Effexor XR.
January 31, 2009... The USFDA accorded Osmotica's citizen petition to Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries ltd for venlafaxine extended release tablets. The USFDA was required to eschew the approval for Abbreviated New Drug Application for drugs bearing Wyeth's...

Elder to introduce pain management products.
January 31, 2009... Elder Pharmaceuticals limited in conjunction with Global Energy Medicines Ltd will launch 'e-cell' in India. E-cell, a USFDA approved product provides relief from pain and helps aid the recovery processes for various musculoskeletal injuries...

Ranbaxy to market USFDA approved drug.
January 31, 2009... The USFDA accorded import permission to Ranbaxy to market Giladel Wafer. Giladel can cure high-grade malignant gliomas and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. Moreover, Ranbaxy inked a licensing agreement with USA based BioPro Pharmaceutical...

World markets. Production and consumption. [1 figure in original article].
January 31, 2009... The annual report of PlasticsEurope indicates that in 2007 world production in the sector reached 260 M tonnes. Per capita consumption reached 100 kg in NAFTA countries and in Western Europe with prediction of reaching 140 kg by 2015. The 27...

Plastic waste.
January 31, 2009... In the first 9 months of 2008 in Italy the positive trend of exporting plastic waste continued reaching a value of EUR 3 M for a weight of 108,000 tonnes. In the same period imports decreased to a value of EUR 63 M compared with EUR 71 M in...

Price of polymers falling but...
January 31, 2009... In Nov 2008 the price of petroleum returned to $50 a barrel, a fall of 33% compared to the previous month. Various grades of polyethylene (PE) fell in price by 10-15% and the price of PET fell by 8%. The price of polyamides fell by 2-2.5% and...

Chemistry and nanotechnology.
January 31, 2009... The national conference of NIC (Nanotechnology in Chemical Industry) was held in Milan in Dec 2008. Successful development of nanotechnology is crucial for Italy and Europe. There has been an update of the EC statement of Jun 2008, Regulatory...

Products in plastic (Italy) [1 table in original article].
January 31, 2009... Assocomplast has published data on Italian trade in plastic goods (codes 3917 to 3926) based on Istat data for the first 9 months of 2008 compared with the same period in 2007. Export worth EUR 7 bn increased by 2.3%. Value of imports (about...

Two European projects.
January 31, 2009... Two research projects managed by international consortia started recently. The Italian consortium is Assorimap/Promoplast srl. The Wheylayer project studies new additives based on whey for plastics film destined for food packaging....

Waste directive.
January 31, 2009... The new European waste directive (EC/98/2008) came into force on 12 Dec 2008. Member states must implement the directive by 12 Dec 2010. The directive defines the various types of waste and the methods available for recovery and disposal.

Global standard.
January 31, 2009... There is a new International standard for the emerging market of recovery and recycling of used plastic. ISO 15270:2008 Plastics - Guidelines for the recovery and recycling of plastic waste, among other matters, establishes the qualitative...

SOS recycling.
January 31, 2009... The European Association of Recyclers (EuPR) is concerned about the impact of the current economic climate on the plastics recycling market. There has been a rapid increase in this market that reached recycling of 5 M tonnes in 2007...

Excellent insulation.
January 31, 2009... Freudenberg Politex has developed a range of Ecozero panels produced totally for post-consumer PET bottles. The panels provide a means of energy saving via clever recycling. The panels are non-allergic, fireproof, and are available in a...

Tronox enters Chapter 11 as debt and legacy liabilities weigh.
January 31, 2009... US titanium dioxide maker Tronox has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The action will not affect its subsidiaries in Australia, Germany and the Netherlands. The firms chief executive said that filing for bankruptcy protection is...

South Africa's freeworld coatings reports modest growth in first year of independent trading.
January 31, 2009... Barloworld Coatings' South African division Freeworld Coatings recorded a net profit of R 217 M (EUR 15.8 M) in its first year of operation as a separately listed firm. The company's earning per share rose by 15% at 106 cents compared to last...

Plunging sales and debts send LyondellBasell operations into Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
January 31, 2009... US polymers and petrochemicals producer LyondellBasell has placed its US operations and European holding firm Basell Germany Holdings under bankruptcy protection, after failing to reorganize a hefty debt burden. The company said that it...

Sika reports 4Q 2008 sales dip.
January 31, 2009... Swiss speciality chemicals producer Sikas sales in 4Q 2008 dropped 6.5% compared to the increases of between 3.1%-4.1% in 1-3Q 2008. In 2008, group sales reached SFR 4.6 bn (EUR 3.1 bn) or 7.3% better in local currencies, almost the same as...

National Starch gives Henkel adhesives 3Q 2008 boost.
January 31, 2009... Sales of German firm Henkel's adhesive technology division rose by 31.8% in 3Q 2008, thanks to the purchase of National Starch's adhesives and electronic materials businesses. Nominal sales reached EUR 1860 M, up by 26.2% while organic growth...

X-Rite slips into loss in 3Q 2008.
January 31, 2009... UK-based X-Rite posted a net loss of $15.5 M in 3Q ended 27 Sep 2008. Due to this loss, the company anticipates its EBITDA earnings for 2008 to be at bottom end of an earlier forecast of $60-68 M. X-Rite's net sales also dropped to $61.3 M,...

Eastman Chemicals tightens belt.
January 31, 2009... US firm Eastman Chemicals has laid off management staff and prohibited overtime work in line with efforts to generate cost savings of about $100 M in 2009. Other cost-cutting measures include a freeze on workers' payment, cutback in the use...

Rohm & Haas to axe 900 jobs.
January 31, 2009... US speciality chemicals company Rohm and Haas will lay off 900 workers across all regions and divisions, excluding Salt, in response to deteriorating market conditions. In Jun 2008, the firm announced similar number of jobs cuts in North...

DuPont cuts staff, rationalizes assets and is cautious on 2009 earnings.
January 31, 2009... US chemicals company DuPont announced in Dec 2008 that it would lay off 2500 workers and downsize some assets due to the sharp fall in construction and motor vehicle sales in late 2008. This measure follows the company's decision to reduce...

Tikkurila targets EUR 25 M savings.
January 31, 2009... Finnish paints firm Tikkurila is looking into cutting its labour force by 1% or an equivalent of 500 workers in line with goals of saving EUR 25 M/y across all operating countries. The company is currently in talks with 900 employees at its...

Tikkurila acquires sales company in Slovakia.
January 31, 2009... Finncolor Slovakia has been purchased by Finnish paint and coatings company Tikkurila. Finncolor Slovakia serves as Tikkurilas decorative paints and industrial coatings importer in Slovakia.

Dow cuts deep, 5000 jobs and 20 plants to go.
January 31, 2009... US basic industrial chemicals maker Dow has announced in early Dec 2008 that it would lay off 5000 full-time workers, or some 11% of its labour force, and shut down 20 manufacturing units. The company will also temporarily idle about 30% its...

Flint Group and Unirep establish joint venture in Turkey.
January 31, 2009... A jv named Flint-Unirep Packaging Inks has been formed by Luxembourg-based inks producer Flint Group and Unirep in Istanbul, Turkey. The new company will initially concentrate on water-based inks employed in corrugated board, paper sacks and...

Flint Group finds partner for metal decorating inks business in Australia.
January 31, 2009... Flint Group's metal decorating inks unit in Australia and New Zealand will team up with Swedish metal decorating specialist Lindgens, under a jv deal. Lindgen concentrates exclusively on the metal decorating market such as coatings for metal...

PPG shuts glass sealants plant and increases involvement in wind turbines.
January 31, 2009... US firm PPG Industries is closing down its PRC insulating glass sealants business because of declining demand from residential construction markets in North America. The company will halt manufacturing operations at its insulating glass plant...

DSM lays off 1000 workers and shutters certain plants.
January 31, 2009... Dutch firm DSM has laid off employees and temporarily closed a number of facilities, including those involved in the manufacture of DSM Resins, due to poor demand. The company will further displace about 1000 workers or 5% of its labour force...

Lanxess cuts back at 23 site.
January 31, 2009... German chemicals and intermediates maker Lanxess stopped or reduced output at 23 of its 45 manufacturing units in Germany during Dec 2008-Jan 2009. The move affected a total of 1400 workers at the company sites in Leverkusen,...

BASF increases coatings activities in Southeast Asia.
January 31, 2009... German firm BASF has build up its coatings business in southeast Asia, focusing in Thailand, to serve the regions coatings market. According to BASF, the southeast Asian coatings market is valued at EUR 2.8 bn and it is still expanding. The...

Lightweight pearls to maintain warmth: thermal insulation with particle-foam Neopor beads.
January 31, 2009... In Germany, Saint-Gobain Rigips' Rigibead 035, particle-foam beads made of BASF's Neopor, have been approved for use in cavity wall insulation. In older buildings, the insulation makes them more energy efficient, lowering heat energy...

SABIC y ExxonMobil Chemical sign Heads of Agreement to carry out a new elastomers project in Saudi Arabia.
January 31, 2009... On 18 Nov 2008, SABIC and affiliates of ExxonMobil Chemical signed a Heads of Agreement for a new elastomers project at the sites of their joint ventures, Kemya and Yanpet. The project would result in the supply of over 400,000 tonne/y of...

Bayer strengthens its R&D area.
January 31, 2009... Bayer Group wants to continue increasing its activities in R&D, in spite of the current global financial crisis. In 2008, the Group invested an estimated EUR 2800 M in R&D, the largest sum allocated in the German chemical and pharmaceutical...

Bacteria-free surfaces: first antimicrobial plastic from BASF.
January 31, 2009... Luran S BX 13042, an acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer, is BASF's first plastic that has the property of killing microbes. The material was launched at FAKUMA 2008, Friedrichshafen, Germany, in Oct 2008, and is available in sample...

Lighter yoghurts: Schwalbchen AG uses polystyrene bottles for the first time.
January 31, 2009... German dairy company Schwalbchen AG has switched from using PET beverage bottles to those made from BASF's highly impact-resistant polystyene (PS-I). Benefits offered by the switch include a 20% saving in plastic needed to make each bottle....

SABIC's innovative approach in flexible packaging stretches the limits of cost efficiency, weight reduction and performance.
January 31, 2009... At the AMI Multi-layer Packaging Films 2008 event in Cologne, 25-26 Nov 2008, SABIC Europe's Technical Marketing Engineer Alberto Ronzani explained the innovative approach to flexible packaging production being offered by SABIC Europe' Linear...

For dry waters: water-repellent adhesive for the thermal insulation of basements with extruded polystyrene panels.
January 31, 2009... PCI Augsburg, a subsidiary of BASF, has developed a water-repellent adhesive for use with BASF's Styrodur C green extruded polystyrene rigid-foam panels used to thermally insulate basements. PCI Pecimor DK hardens quickly without releasing...

No problems with fuel: new generation of quick coupling connectors manufactured by A Raymond with Ultramid T.
January 31, 2009... BASF's high-temperature resistant polyamide, Ultramid T KR4357 G6 is being used by the French company A Raymond to produce quick coupling connectors for fuel pipes in vehicles. The connectors have to be highly resistant to fuel and zinc...

Merquinsa develops world's first bio TPU based on ether.
January 31, 2009... At the Bioplastic Awards Conference, Munich, 3-4 Dec 2009, Merquinsa launched a new range of bio TPU grades, the first in the world to be based on ether. These materials will be supplied under the Pearlthane ECO brand, and offer scratch...