Chemical Business Newsbase articles from November 2008

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from November 2008

CUMI to set up fusion plant in Russia: To be among largest producers of silicon carbide globally.
November 30, 2008... Carborundum Universal Ltd, belonging to the Rup 9582 crore Murugappa Group, has signed an agreement with the Volgograd region administration in Russia to set up a 100,000 tonne silicon carbide fusion plant at an investment of $50 M. This...

Hind Zinc cuts lead prices.
November 30, 2008... The Udaipur-based Hindustan Zinc Ltd has reduced the price of lead by Rup 10,100/tonne to Rup 73,500/tonne in tandem with global prices.

ATF prices to drop: No word on cheaper fares.
November 30, 2008... The oil marketing companies have announced reduction in prices of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by an average of Rup 2.40 to Rup 2.60/lt with effect from 1 Dec 2008. However, the airlines in India have not announced any reduction in fares so...

Regulus Therapeutics, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, and collaborators publish first ever in vivo efficacy data for a microRNA therapeutic in a disease model.
November 30, 2008... Regulus Therapeutics LLC, a joint venture between Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc and Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc, announced the publication of new research in the journal Nature on the role of a microRNA, known as miR-21, in heart failure. The new...

Loophole in 'botched' law threatens Britain's biofuels industry.
November 30, 2008... The British biofuels industry has warned that oil companies are set to save millions of pounds because of a mistake by government lawyers in drafting biofuels legislation, an error that could lead to the demise of the UK's alternative fuel...

Liver cancer: new study with Nexavar.
November 30, 2008... Bayer HealthCare and Onyx Pharmaceuticals have started another Phase III trial with Nexavar in liver cancer. Nexavar will be adjuvant treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma or primary liver care after resection. Used after...

Nutrition: rice research laboratory opened in Singapore.
November 30, 2008... Bayer CropScience has opened a rice research laboratory in Singapore to drive forward the development of new, high-yield varieties of rice. Investment is around EUR 5 M. Scientists will develop hybrid rice with innovative traits and...

Prostate cancer: Levitra helps combat ED.
November 30, 2008... A new study has shown that Levitra, containing the active ingredient vardenafil HCl, is effective in the treatment of male surgery-related erectile dysfunction even shortly after radical nerve-sparing prostatectomy. The study was conducted by...

Biotechnology: drug products from tobacco plants.
November 30, 2008... Bayer recently commissioned a pilot plant in Halle, Germany, where tobacco plants produce a patient-specific antibody vaccine for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. It is hoped to start Phase I trials in 2009.

Diagnostics: new contrast agent for liver MRI.
November 30, 2008... The FDA has granted regulatory approval for the contrast agent Primovist for magnetic imaging of the liver. The agent from Bayer Schering Pharma is approved for the recognition and characterization of a type of liver damage called liver...

Sound insulation: "whispering ballast" with polyurethane.
November 30, 2008... Frenzel-Bau GmbH & Co KG, in collaboration with Bayer MaterialScience and Hennecke GmbH, have devised a solution to the increased noise pollution from trains, which are now travelling more often and more frequently. This is the permanently...

Alzheimer's: intensifying research.
November 30, 2008... Bayer Schering Pharma and the University of Nagasaki have signed a licensing agreement on the use of novel substances for molecular imaging. The markers in combination with positron emission tomography make possible the earlier diagnosis of...

Multiple sclerosis: new study presented.
November 30, 2008... A new study has confirmed that treatment with Betaferon at the first sign of MS can delay progression of the disease.

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. [1 table in original article].
November 30, 2008... The development of new pharmaceuticals concentrated for a long time on facilities in Europe and the US. Due to the dynamic development of the Chinese economy many global pharmaceuticals companies started to build up research and development...

FDA approves new therapeutic for rare hereditary disease.
November 30, 2008... The US Food and Drug Administration approved the pharmaceutical Cinryze from Lev Pharmaceuticals Inc on 10 October 2008. Cinryze is the first drug approved in the US for the protection of patients with hereditary angiooedema (HAE), a rare and...

Alitretionoin for hand eczema available in the UK.
November 30, 2008... Basilea Pharmaceuticals launched the pharmaceutical Toctino (alitretinoin) in the UK. The drug is indicated for the treatment of severe chronic hand eczema in adults which failed to respond to a treatment with highly-effective topical...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Novo Nordisk.
November 30, 2008... Novo Nordisk (China), the Chinese subsidiary of Novo Nordisk, plans to expand its presence in China in 3 stages. The company will build an advanced facility for the production of insulin in Tianjing; plans to start the production of...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. AstraZeneca.
November 30, 2008... AstraZeneca established a centre for clinical research in Shanghai in China in Dec 2002 which coordinates the activities in China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The company invested $4 M in the centre during its first year of operation....

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Eli Lilly.
November 30, 2008... Eli Lilly and its partner in China, the company ChemExplorer, are jointly working on the synthesis of organic substances on different scales and with different chemical platforms for the development of new types of pharmaceuticals. Eli Lilly...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Roche.
November 30, 2008... Roche Group completed its first research and development (R&D) centre in China at the end of 2004. During the start-up phase the centre with 40-50 scientists specialised on pharmaceutical chemistry in order to research the fundamental...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Pfizer.
November 30, 2008... Pfizer inaugurated a research and development (R&D) centre in China in Oct 2005 which carries out study design, data management and statistical analyses for international clinical trials and which will support the research facilities in China...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. GlaxoSmithKline.
November 30, 2008... GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) invested $40 M in a research and development (R&D) centre in Shanghai in China. The facility is one of 32 global R&D centres of the company. The centre initially employed 50-100 highly qualified international scientists...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Novartis.
November 30, 2008... Novartis invested $100 M in the construction of a research and development (R&D) centre in Shanghai in China in 2007. The centre initially concentrated on cancer research and employs more than 80 international scientists at the centre since...

Report from China. Research and development activities by international pharmaceuticals companies in China. Wyeth.
November 30, 2008... Wyeth inaugurated a centre for the early phases of clinical development in Beijing in Mar 2006. The company initially formed a partnership with the Union Hospital in Beijing which was followed by further partnerships with other clinics. The...

Automation is the essence of the plant.
November 30, 2008... UAE-based RAK Ceramics has achieved significant gains in product quality and plant efficiency partly through extensive use of technology. RAK makes ceramic wall tiles, ceramic floor tiles, decor tiles, listellos, and pencils and cappings,...

Tile maker expects fuel wood plant to cut costs.
November 30, 2008... Lanka Walltile, a wall tile producer in Sri Lanka, has spent Sri Lankan Rup 45 M in a wood gasification facility to power the spray drier at the Meepe plant near Colombo. The new facility is expected to allow the company to significantly cut...

Gunson negotiates with potential partners for zircon project.
November 30, 2008... Gunson Resources has held discussions with potential partners and offtake customers with the aim of securing support for its Coburn Zircon Project. Gunson visited China's CTIEC a potential partner in the project, after meeting with the...

Chengtech to invest in ceramic sector.
November 30, 2008... Chengtech Chinaware (Thailand) Co Ltd is considering investing $30 M in to establish a ceramic industrial zone in Bangladesh. A team representing the Thailand-based Chinese-Taiwanese firm is set to meet with Bangladeshi authorities to discuss...

Beljino aims for Kerala sanitaryware plant.
November 30, 2008... Hong Kong's Beljino International has partnered with Apex Marketing to establish a $400,000 jv in Kerala, India, to manufacture bathroom furniture, batch cubicles, and glass and ceramic wash-basins. Apex Marketing is the exclusive distributor...

Kohler mulls possible expansion.
November 30, 2008... US-based Kohler intends to boost its operations in Asia, with plans including an expansion of its production capacity in Thailand to better serve the Asian market. Kohler is also setting up new facilities in India and China. The Thai plant,...

Cera partners with Rondine for designer tiles in India.
November 30, 2008... Cera, a maker of premium bathroom products in India, has partnered with Italy's Rondine Group to launch its designer tiles in India. The deal gives Cera exclusive rights to market Rondine's premium tiles in India. Rondine expects the...

Tondach roof tile plant opens.
November 30, 2008... Tondach, a producer of roofing tiles in Austria, has reportedly completed its new Forint 8.8 bn (EUR 33.2) plant in Bekescsaba, Hungary. The plant will make some 30 M tiles/y. The company projects its revenue to climb by up to 50% to Forint...

Tile market set to expand.
November 30, 2008... Romania's ceramic tile market is expected to expand in 2009, although at a slower level compared with 2008, according to an official of the Pazo Group. The market is expected to rebound in 1H 2009 and achieve growth in mid 2009, although at a...

Ceramic Fuel Cells plans volume production.
November 30, 2008... Australia's Ceramic Fuel Cells Ltd (CFCL) is set to begin commercial production of solid oxide fuel cells in Jun 2009. The fuel cells are intended for use in next-generation home heating units. CFCL's Heinsberg plant in Germany will...

Roof tile plant planned.
November 30, 2008... Claudio Vogel, a ceramic roof tile maker in Brazil, is conducting an economic feasibility study as part of a bid to establish a plant in Angola. Claudio Vogel makes roof tiles in Brazil and distributes them in Angola through Bejoma. The...

The China tile report. [5 tables included in original article].
November 30, 2008... China's ceramic tile industry has grown steadily to become an important global market, particularly as the Chinese industry still has strong prospects for further growth. The ceramic tile product sales market is mainly composed of project and...

Under fire?: kiln furniture in South East Asia.
November 30, 2008... The South East Asian ceramic industry is increasingly shifting towards modern kiln furniture systems as many players focus on cutting energy, raw material and labour costs to better compete with low cost imports. A growing number of players...

Sanitaryware globalization: the Asian response. [1 table in original article].
November 30, 2008... Several sanitaryware markets have displayed strong performance in recent years, with China sustaining its position as an important growth market with strong prospects for higher sanitaryware consumption. China supplies around 140 M pieces...

Talking shop: Lanka Ceramic.
November 30, 2008... The Lanka Ceramic group, a major player in Sri Lanka's ceramic tile industry, posted a turnover of Sri Lankan Rup 7 bn during the year ended 31 Mar 2008, although its attributable profit declined from the previous year's Rup 165.6 M to Rup...

Insight on Philippines.
November 30, 2008... Ten bar graphs describe the Philippines' sanitaryware and tile imports. Included are leading glazed tile imports sources in 2007; total glazed tile imports; total glazed tile imports from China; leading sanitaryware export destinations;...

Minotaur to amaze with new deposit.
November 30, 2008... Minotaur Resources has commenced a feasibility study into mining kaolin near Poochera in Australia following positive test results on the quality of the resource. Problems related to water supply and quality had been encountered in past...

Exxaro completes Namakwa purchase.
November 30, 2008... South Africa's Exxaro Resources has purchased Anglo American Plc's mineral sands operation, Namakwa Sands, for about R 2 bn. Exxaro has also completed the acquisition of a 26% interest in Anglo's Black Mountain Mining Ltd and Gamsberg project...

Growth in Malaysia (plastics).
November 30, 2008... According to MPMA (Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association), sales increased by 8% and export by 18% in 1H 2008. This is a result of stabilization of prices of raw materials and reduction in import duties from 25 to 20% for PE and PP and...

Injection moulding in central Europe. [1 figure in original article].
November 30, 2008... Applied Market Information has updated a database containing information on 1300 injection moulding companies in Central Europe (Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia). Since 2005 there have been 300 new entries and annual consumption of...

Caps for drinks containers.
November 30, 2008... According to a Canadian study, 220 bn more caps and stoppers will be needed in the next 5 years to satisfy world demand for drinks containers, especially in the large emerging markets such as China, India, Russia and Brazil. Mineral water and...

High density (polyethylene) in the world.
November 30, 2008... According to Ceresana Research, the world market for HDPE will be influenced mainly by packaging and industrial building. In 2007, North America and Europe constituted 44% of consumption whereas large increments are expected in the Pacific...

Flexible tubing.
November 30, 2008... According to BCC Research the US market for flexible tubing reached 364,000 tonnes by 2007 and will grow at 6%/y to reach 394,000 tonnes by 2012. Use of non-elastomeric thermoplastic resins was 207,000 tonnes in 2007 and this is expected to...

Film for crop protection.
November 30, 2008... The use of plastic sheeting for crop protection offers many advantages but also raises the problem of waste disposal and man power needed for this. Biodegradable plastics have been developed to replace polyethylene (PE) used originally. The...

Concerns about REACH (legislation).
November 30, 2008... Concern in the plastics industry about the REACH legislation was confirmed with nomination if 15 substances in the list of very hazardous substances, 8 of which are used regularly in polymeric formulations. The list includes DEHP, the most...

Recycling in France.
November 30, 2008... According to the French agency for energy saving and the environment, Ademe, the annual world volume of waste produced by man is 3100 M tonnes made up of non-toxic industrial waste (1800 M tonnes), urban waste (1200 M tonnes) and toxic waste...

Sustainable future. Renewed role of PVC in environmental protection.
November 30, 2008... Polyvinylchloride is a polymer but the term PVC often refers to a mixture formed by the polymer with some other substance giving the characteristics required for an intended purpose. Formulations have been developed with the REACH legislation...

Energy: power politics - CBI Brussels.
November 30, 2008... The head of the Brussels office of the CBI reports on the energy situation in the EU. In Mar 2008, EU heads of state reaffirmed their commitment to an interconnected internal market for energy supplies. However, despite legislative measures...

Energy: power politics - CBI Washington.
November 30, 2008... A senior policy advisor to the CBI based in Washington reports on the energy situation in the US. Nearly 40% of US energy requirements are currently met by crude oil, with natural gas and coal providing 23%, nuclear power 8%, and renewable...

Energy: power politics - CBI New Delhi.
November 30, 2008... The chief representative of the CBI in India reports on the energy situation in the country. Economic growth rates of 8-9%/y through 2030 in India will require significant investment in both energy supply and infrastructure. About 70% of...

Energy: power politics - CBI Beijing.
November 30, 2008... The chief representative of the CBI in China reports on the energy situation in the country. Whereas the National Energy Administration set up in Jul 2008 is responsible for energy resources and international energy cooperation, prices are...

Reflecting future needs: UK energy requirements.
November 30, 2008... The UK energy sector is likely to benefit from changes to planning regulations that were due to be discussed by end-2008. In order to meet climate change targets and secure affordable energy supplies, the UK will need to invest considerable...

Novus Sealing.
November 30, 2008... Novus Sealing is proud to announce its new superior High Dielectric Strength universal compressed sheet gasket material (HDS-1). HDS-1 is based on a blend of aramid/organic fibres and special additives with a high-quality nitrile rubber...

Strides receives FDA approval.
November 30, 2008... Strides Arcolab Ltd has got ANDA approval from US Food and Drug Administration for pamidronate disodium injection of 3 mg/ml and 9 mg/ml single used vials. Akorn-Strides Llc, a joint venture company of Akorn Inc and Srides, has licensed this...

Phase II b trials for oglemilast in asthma initiated.
November 30, 2008... Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd has started phase II trial for oglemilast (GRC 3886), a lead molecule and a PDE4 inhibitor, used to treat asthma. Forest Laboratories Inc, having licensed for oglemilast in North America, is presently studying the...

Neuland Laboratories total income increases by 62%.
November 30, 2008... Neuland Laboratories Ltd, a company that provides active pharmaceutical ingredients and other drug discovery and development support services, has recorded 62% increase in total income and 149% increase in profit before tax. Neuland has 70%...

GSK to set up new manufacturing facility.
November 30, 2008... GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is planning to construct a new albendazole production unit in India that will aim in eradicating lymphatic filariasis by 2020. The drug produced by the facility may support 300 M treatments/y. The production will start...

Arbro signs agreement with Department of Science and Technology.
November 30, 2008... Delhi based Arbro Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a leader in producing and exporting of pharmaceutical and diagnostic products, has entered into an agreement with Department of Science and Technology for developing a regime that neutralises anthrax's...

Orchid receives USFDA approvals.
November 30, 2008... Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Chennai, has got approval from US Food and Drug Administration for cefuroxime injection, 750 mg and 1.5 g vials (infusion packs), 7.5 g (pharmacy bulk pack) and 1.5 g vial. The company is also...

Eli Lilly suspends clinical trials for Glenmark's GRC 6211.
November 30, 2008... Eli Lilly and Company defers further clinical trial for GRC 6211 with its collaborator Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Eli Lilly had got rights for portfolio of transient receptor potential vanilloid sub family 1 (TRPV1) antagonist molecules,...

Elder-Biomedia eyes three Bulgarian firms.
November 30, 2008... Elder Pharmaceuticals Ltd had purchased 51% stake in Biomeda at a cost of EUR 5 M in Aug 2008. The company will buy three Bulgarian pharma companies through Elder-Biomeda, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elder Pharma. Presently, Elder Pharma is...

Allergan and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals partner in cancer drug development.
November 30, 2008... Allergan and Spectrum Pharmaceuticals Inc have collaborated to develop and commercialise an antineoplastic agent called apaziquone used to treat non muscle invasive bladder cancer by intravesical instillation. Presently, Spectrum is...

Genovis signs agreement with Singapore based firm.
November 30, 2008... Genovis, Sweden, has entered into a distribution agreement with Innovative Biotech, Singapore. Under the agreement, Innovative Biotech gets exclusive rights for marketing and selling Genovis's products in Singapore. Genovis targets areas like...

Stable growth in 2009 will change the face of the pharma market.
November 30, 2008... The decline of global economy, patent expiry and other factors would result in increase of drug revenue by 5% to $820 bn in 2009, according to IMS Health. According to IMS, global pharmaceutical market will take a new form in 2009 and the...

'The life sciences industry in India is presently at a very nascent stage.'.
November 30, 2008... Suven Life Sciences Ltd is aiming to discover drugs for the treatment of unmet medical needs in central nervous system and development of new methods for treating memory loss and cognitive decline for patients with Alzheimer's disease,...

DSM Anti-infectives: On a sustainable growth path.
November 30, 2008... DSM Anti-infectives is a leading producer of active pharmaceutical ingredients like amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefalexin and cefadroxil and has production facilities at Europe, Africa, Mexico, China and India. The company constructed purimox...

Indian API industry: On an expansion voyage.
November 30, 2008... According to Chemical Pharmaceutical General Association, the demand for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) may increase and the growth of global market for APIs is around $80 bn. According to IMS, the generic pharmaceuticals market may...

Global pharma majors are establishing strategic alliances with Indian companies.
November 30, 2008... The demand, price equality, revenue loss due to patent expiries and other factors have initiated restructuring within the pharma industry across the globe. Global pharmaceutical companies are making alliances and partnerships with Indian...

The latest trend in pharma industry is the usage of prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes.
November 30, 2008... Advanced Enzyme Technologies Ltd (AETL) is involved in the development and promotion of 'Enzyme Therapy Complete Natural Solution' for good health. The pharmaceutical industry follows new trend by using prebiotics, probiotics and enzymes...

The demand for high quality and high performance excipients is very dynamic.
November 30, 2008... Ideal Cures Pvt Ltd produces and supplies a range of instacoat ready to use in film coating systems. The aqueous coating process and speciality products like drug delivery and taste making products are the emerging trends. The demand for...

We will soon witness quantum jump in advanced versions of packaging systems.
November 30, 2008... The growth of the pharmaceutical packaging section is 16% to 19% at present and may rise at a rate of 50%/y from 2009. Parikh Packaging Pvt Ltd has recorded an average growth of 49% in the last three years. The company is investing Rup 30 M...

The market for pharma ingredients and intermediates would grow in coming years.
November 30, 2008... Atul Ltd has developed advanced intermediates based on bulk intermediates such as anisisic aldehyde/alcohol and 1,3-cyclohexanedione. Global pharmaceutical companies outsource $15 bn valued active pharmaceutical ingredients (API),...

Sanofi on an expansion spree in China.
November 30, 2008... Sanofi-Aventis, France, plans to expand its clinical research unit at Shangai and make China its Asian research and development (R&D) hub. The unit is involved in global registration studies for a series of Sanofi products that include...

Dragon files new drug packaging film with SFDA.
November 30, 2008... Dragon International, China, is asking for an approval from Chinese State Food and Drug Administration for a new composite film product for the suppository drug market. The tear resistant film can be directly contacted with active...

Boehringer Ingelheim ties up with Chinese API firm.
November 30, 2008... Boehringer Ingelheim, Germany, has entered into an agreement with Hisoar, China, to expand its active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) network. According to the agreement, Hisoar manufactures APIs for Boehringer's drug candidates and other...

Rhodia, Dow Corning sign silica/silane agreement.
November 30, 2008... Rhodia and Dow Corning Corp have entered into an agreement to develop and commercialise new silica/silane products to help tyre industry. Silane increases the contact between polymer and silica.

Rallis plans Rup 2 bn plant in Gujarat.
November 30, 2008... The Tata group is planning to invest Rup 2 bn in the next two years to put up an agrochemical plant in Dahej, Gujarat, and the plant is expected to start in 2010. The company will use Rup 1.44 bn, got from land sale during previous years, for...

Rhein Chemie to exhibit applications of Stabaxola at plastIndia 2009.
November 30, 2008... Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH, Germany, will exhibit uses of Stabaxola for hydrolysis stabilisation in polymers at PlastIndia 2009. Stabaxola is obtained in liquid and solid forms and can be used in PET, PU, TPEE PBT, TPE, PA and EVA. The product...

Lanxess showcased high performance rubbers IZB Wolfsburg.
November 30, 2008... Lanxess AG displayed itself as a producer of synthetic rubber at the International Suppliers Fair IZB in Wolfsburg. The event happened from 29 Oct to 30 Oct 2008. The Technical Rubber Products (TRP), a business unit of Lanxess, showed rubber...

Lanxess expands basic chemicals production; invests around EUR 35 M.
November 30, 2008... Lanxess AG is investing EUR 35 M for producing basic chemicals in Leverkusen. The company's speciality chemicals group is increasing the capacity of cresols and their derivatives and monochlorobenzene. The expansion is expected to be...