Chemical Business Newsbase articles from September 2001, page 5

Chemical Business Newsbase archives from September 2001

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: R-Biopharm buys Rhone-Diagnostics.
September 25, 2001... R-Biopharm is to acquire a majority stake in Rhone-Diagnostics Technologies Ltd (RDT), which is based in Glasgow, UK. RDT has a subsidiary in Lyon, France, and has sales of DM 6.5 M. 25 are employed. It specializes in...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Germany: adhesives branch satisfied with 2000.
September 25, 2001... The German adhesives industry (adhesives, sealants, adhesive tapes, building adhesives) increased its sales almost 3% in 2000 to EUR 2.5 bn. The export quota rose to 44%, imports reached 24%. As a result of the increase in raw...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Industri Kapital forming Scandinavian conglomerate.
September 25, 2001... With the acquisition of Kemira, Swedish investor group Industri Kapital is taking a further step in building up a Scandinavian heavy weight in the field of speciality chemicals. The Finnish Parliament has approved the deal (the state...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Merck KgaA restructuring: focus on drugs and chemicals.
September 25, 2001... From 1 Jan 2002, Merck KgaA will concentrate on chemicals and drugs. The Distribution division, which comprises the former Merck Eurolab group and VWR Scientific Products is to be floated on the stock exchange in the US. The core...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Films: Chris-Craft now called MonoSol LLC.
September 25, 2001... As part of a merger of Chris-Craft Industries and News Corp, Chris-Craft industrial Products has been acquired by an investment group and will operate under the name MonoSol LLC. MonoSol is a leading producer of water-soluble films. ...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Aventis: upswing in the US - robust growth with new products.
September 25, 2001... 47% of Aventis' sales comes from 16 key products. The agchems business is being sold to Bayer. The drugs business is doing especially well in the US. Admittedly there is a threat from America because of a patent dispute with Barr...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Solvay: new plant for blowing agents.
September 25, 2001... Solvay Fluor is erecting a new plant for blowing agent Solkane 365mfc in Tavaux, France. The 15,000 tonnes/y plant is due onstream at the end of 2002. Solvay says the product is more eco-efficient and is mainly for use in PU foams.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: CSC investing in Grenzach.
September 25, 2001... Ciba Speciality Chemicals has commissioned new facilities in Grenzach, Germany. A cGMP unit will produce the active ingredient Ciba Tinosorb M, a UV filter for sun blocks and toiletries. A new line for Ciba Tinosorb S, a new UVA...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Immunex planning second Enbrel plant.
September 25, 2001... Immunex Corp is to erect a second plant for the production of Enbrel, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The new facility will be on land in Rhode Island. Investment is expected to be $500 M.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Bayer with new joint venture in China.
September 25, 2001... Bayer and Shanghai Chloralkali Chemical Co Ltd have formed joint venture Bayer Polymers Shanghai Co Ltd to erect a new plastics plant. Bayer will have a 90% stake. Makrolon PC will be produced in Shanghai for the Asian market. ...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approves Baxter's third biotech plant.
September 25, 2001... Baxter International has received FDA approval for a third plant in Thousand Oaks for the production of the new combined Factor VIII therapy for haemophilia, recombinant anti-haemophiliac factor. A further $50 M plant is to be erected.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Knoll Pharma ends production at Liestal.
September 25, 2001... Knoll Group, now a subsidiary of Abbott Laboratories, is to cease drugs production at Liestal, Switzerland, at the end of Aug 2002. 38 jobs will go. Chemical production is not affected. 100 jobs at Liestal will be remain. Chemical...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: BASF investing in Muenster.
September 25, 2001... BASF Coatings AG is expanding its site at Muenster. EUR 3.5 M will be invested in the production of speciality binders for the production of eco- efficient coatings. Capacity will rise 10,000 tonnes/y to 100,000 tonnes/y. The...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: LG starts up polycarbonate plant in Korea.
September 25, 2001... LG-Dow Polycarbonate Ltd has commissioned a new PC plant in Yosu, Korea. The 65,000 tonnes/y plant is the largest PC plant in Korea. It can rapidly be expanded to 130,000 tonnes/y.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: BASF commissions new strobilurin plant.
September 25, 2001... BASF has commissioned a new plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, for the production of crop protection active ingredient F500, a strobilurin fungicide. Products containing F500 are expected to achieve sales of over EUR 300 M at peak. The...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Solvay expands in peptides.
September 25, 2001... Solvay has established the subsidiary Peptisyntha Inc in Torrance, CA.. A team of specialists in solid-phase technology will commence work before the end of 2001. There will be research and development facilities as well as cGMP...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Atofina expanding hydrogen peroxide in Canada.
September 25, 2001... Atofina is expanding its hydrogen peroxide plant in Becancour, Canada, from 73,000 tonnes/y to 110,000 tonnes/y at a cost of $20 M. The expanded plant will be ready in 2004.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Aventis in jv with ViroPharma.
September 25, 2001... Aventis Pharmaceuticals and ViroPharma Inc have concluded a joint venture to develop and market Picovir (pleconaril) in the USA. Picovir is orally administered product for viral infections of the respiratory organs.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approval for Zyrtec.
September 25, 2001... UCB has received marketing approval from the FDA for Zyrtec-D in tablet form, for the treatment of allergies. Approval for the nasal form is expected soon.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approves Arixtra.
September 25, 2001... The FDA has granted Sanofi-Synthelabo provisional approval for antithrombotic Arixtra.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approves Zoloft.
September 25, 2001... The FDA has approved Pfizer's Zoloft, a treatment for post-traumatic stress disorders

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approves Visudyne.
September 25, 2001... Novartis' Visudyne, a treatment for CNV in aged-related macular degeneration, has now also received FDA approval for the treatment pathological myopia and histoplasmosis of the eyes.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: FDA approves Topamax.
September 25, 2001... The FDA has approved marketing of Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical's antiepileptic Topamax.

PRESS RELEASE: Gilead Sciences announces results from Phase III study of adefovir dipivoxil in precore mutant chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
September 25, 2001... Gilead Sciences Inc announced preliminary data from a Phase III clinical trial (Study 438) evaluating the safety and efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil 10 mg/day as monotherapy compared to placebo in patients infected with precore mutant chronic...

PRESS RELEASE: Rhodia cuts 2001 paint sales growth forecast to 5%.
September 25, 2001... Brazil's subsidiary of Rhodia has cut its paint sales growth forecast to 5% during 2001 from 10% in 2000 amid the global slowdown and subsequent impact on local consumer confidence. Between 1998 and 2000, Rhodia's paint sales increased at...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: GPC Biotech receives two US patents.
September 25, 2001... GPC Biotech AG has been awarded two patents on the enzyme Geranyl-Geranyl-Transferase-Type 1 (GGTase) as a target for drugs for treating fungal diseases. The two patents ensure a competitive advantage for GPC in the fields of drug...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Plavix: FDA approves fast-track scrutiny.
September 25, 2001... Heart attack drug Plavix/Iscover (Clopidogrel bisulfate), which is being marketed jointly by Sanofi-Synthelabo and Bristol-Myers Squibb, has been approved for fast-track examination by the FDA for additional indications. A recently...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: EU approves Copaxone.
September 25, 2001... EU authorities have approved Copaxone (glatiramer acetate), which is already approved in the US and Switzerland for the treatment of remitting- relapsing multiple sclerosis. The drug is being marketed jointly by Teva Pharmaceuticals and...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: BAG approves vitamin B2 produced by fermentation.
September 25, 2001... The German Office of Health (BAG) has approved food-use of vitamin B2 produced by Roche using fermentation. The product has been approved in animal nutrition since 1995.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: New start for Interferon.
September 25, 2001... MaxyGen Holdings is to cooperate with InterMune to develop and market a new generation of gamma interferons.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Pegasys approved in Switzerland.
September 25, 2001... Swiss authorities have granted marketing approval for Roche's Pegasys preparation for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. This is the first time Pegasys has been approved in the world and the first pegylated interferon introduced in...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Rigel cooperating with MediChem.
September 25, 2001... Rigel Pharmaceuticals and MediChem Life Sciences have agreed on proteomicsfocussed cooperation in the field of ubiquitin ligases.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Roche reports new successes in the elucidation of genes.
September 25, 2001... deCode Genetics, a partner of Roche, has found two more genes that are linked to diseases. One is linked to obesity, the other to anxiety conditions.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Milestone for Genencor.
September 25, 2001... Genencor International Inc has reached the first milestone in its three- year cooperation deal with the US Department of Energy. The biotech company has validated the production of an improved cellulase enzyme for the production of...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Genencor: platform for vaccines.
September 25, 2001... Genencor International Inc has acquired an exclusive global licence for Phogen's VP22 technology. VP22 enables the direct transport of peptides and proteins from one cell to a neighbouring one. This improves the supply of the active...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Antibodies: Dow cultivating for Centocor.
September 25, 2001... Epicyte Pharmaceutical Inc and Dow Chemical have concluded deal with Centocor to look at the feasibility of expressing and then producing a Centocor monoclonal antibody developed in plants. Epicyte is already working on five development...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: EU approval for Xyzal.
September 25, 2001... The EU has approved UCB's antiallergic Xyzal for the EU market, on the basis of approval in Germany.

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: Viracept: Roche and Brazil agree.
September 25, 2001... Roche and the Brazilian government have agreed a 40% reduction in price for HIV preparation Viracept from 2002. The Brazilian government had threatened to produce the patent-protected active ingredient nelfinavir itself if the price were...

CHEMISCHE RUNDSCHAU: EU approval for Fabrazyme.
September 25, 2001... Genzyme General, a subsidiary of Genzyme Corp, has received EU approval for the marketing of Fabrazyme V (agalsidase beta). The preparation is indicated as long-term for enzyme replacement therapy for patients with confirmed Fabry...

PLASTICS NEWS: Cosmo Films invests to expand its BOPP production capacity.
September 25, 2001... Cosmo Films is spending around Rup 480 M to raise its capacity of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film to 23,000 tonnes/y. The expansion includes installation of a new 9,000 tonne/y line at its facility at Waluj, near Aurangabad...

PLASTICS NEWS: New PVC plant for Vietnam.
September 25, 2001... Phu My Plastics & Chemical (PMPC) has commenced the construction of its new $70 M facility in the Phu My Industrial Area in Baria-Vung Tau province, about 85 km away from Ho Chi Minh City. This facility is due for completion in 3Q 2002...

PLASTICS NEWS: PP bag makers fight import duty gap.
September 25, 2001... A group of bag makers in Pakistan has suggested similar import duty levels for both polyethylene and polypropylene to counter import duty malpractice. The group raised concerns on the possibility of commercial importers registering PP...

PLASTICS NEWS: Indonesia's plastics industry shows some signs of recovery.
September 25, 2001... The plastics industry in Indonesia is seen to be bouncing back after its downturn in mid 1997. The downstream plastics applications have reflected a 10% increase in 2000 and were supposed to have been propelled by the food packaging...

PLASTICS NEWS: YCH Group to distribute Ciba Specialty products.
September 25, 2001... Ciba Specialty Chemicals has named the YCH Group as distributor of its speciality chemical products in South Asia and South-East Asia for a period of five years. The agreement also calls for YCH Group to provide logistics services to...

PLASTICS NEWS: Indian Petrochem to raise ethylene capacity.
September 25, 2001... Indian Petrochemicals intends to increase its ethylene capacity to 550,000 tonnes/y from 400,000 tonnes/y at its Nagothane petrochemical complex in Raigad, Maharashtra. The expansion program is due for completion in 2004-2005 and is...

PLASTICS NEWS: Philippines resin tariff structures are attacked from both sides.
September 25, 2001... The Philippines has refused to grant the request to change the tariff for plastic resins but promised to counter the influx of smuggled plastics into the country. The government has opted to tighten the monitoring of imported resins into...

PLASTICS NEWS: AES forms new TPE alliances in Asia.
September 25, 2001... Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES) has forged partnerships with Hydro S&S Industries and Sei Woo Rubber Works to market its thermoplastics elastomers. Hydro S&S is tasked with producing a new range of TPE products in India employing AES'...

PLASTICS NEWS: French additives plant to close.
September 25, 2001... Great Lakes Chemical has reported the impending closure of its antioxidants and UV stabilisers facility in Persan, France, resulting in 133 job losses. The firm will transfer the production from this site to its locations in Italy and...

PLASTICS NEWS: GE still seeks PA after deal fails.
September 25, 2001... GE Plastics is still pursuing plans to add polyamide to its engineering plastics portfolio after the failure of its planned $43 bn merger with Honeywell. The firm is currently offering two polyamides from Rhodia through Polymerland and...

PLASTICS NEWS: Breaking the beer barrier.
September 25, 2001... Zhongfu of China is spending $10 M to manufacture PET bottles for beer using a new technology specially designed for the company. This technology is claimed to be capable of preserving the freshness of beer for as long as 180 days. ...

PLASTICS NEWS: DuPont refines ETP grades.
September 25, 2001... DuPont has introduced various additions to its engineering polymers portfolio including new polyamides. The firm has rolled out Zytel ST Advantage super-tough grades that feature enhanced flow properties. Other new polyamides include...

PLASTICS NEWS: Great Lakes expands additives range.
September 25, 2001... A full range of non-halogenated flame retardants for PP will be rolled out by Great Lakes Chemical. Other products due for launching include a halogen-free flame retardant specially designed for polyurethane foam in automotive...

PLASTICS NEWS: PVC stabilisers go organic.
September 25, 2001... A new organic based stabiliser (OBS) is being added to Rohm and Haas' Advastab range. This product is claimed to be an outstanding alternative to lead-based systems in PVC pipe and other uses. The OBS offers the same qualities as...

PLASTICS NEWS: GE Plastics creates the right image.
September 25, 2001... GE Plastics is rolling out Noryl PPX along with other new products at the K show in Dusseldorf. Noryl PPX is a new grade of engineering plastic claimed to provide impact strength and design freedom in automotive applications. This...

PLASTICS NEWS: Ticona pushes the limits of LCPs.
September 25, 2001... New Vectra T grades is a new line of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) developed by Ticona together with joint venture partner Polyplastics. These products are claimed to have better heat resistance, high flow and good mechanical...

PLASTICS NEWS: Victrex adds new Peek products.
September 25, 2001... Victrex is expected to underscore its new applications and processing developments for Peek polyaryletherketone polymers. These developments include metallising Peek with copper for demanding electronics purposes, including moulded...

PLASTICS NEWS: Alplast rises from ashes of bankrupt Plastilurgie.
September 25, 2001... The bankruptcy of a bottle blow-moulder has resulted in the creation of a new company that distributes plastic bottles. Plastilurgie Ltd went bankrupt late in 2000, the main reason being price competition. Now the son of the...

PLASTICS NEWS: Filmquest shuts down Plystar Inc.
September 25, 2001... Filmquest Inc has closed down and sold equipment from its Plystar Inc film plant in Columbus, GA. The 100,000 square foot plant performed metallizing, printing, coating, laminating, embossing, and other converting processes. Plystar...

PLASTICS NEWS: Film firms put brakes on acquisitions.
September 25, 2001... After a period of acquisition-related excess, the film and flexible packaging sector is expected to return to careful purchasing. Small companies will also be seeking to combine their assets in order to improve competitiveness or attract...

PLASTICS NEWS: IMI restructuring to put Polypipe back up for sale.
September 25, 2001... IMI plc is to sell plastics pipe, profile, and fittings company Polypipe. The business mostly operates in the UK, but also has plants in France, Germany, and Poland. Some suggest Polypipe is unlikely to fetch much more than #200 M...

PLASTICS NEWS: Schmalbach breakthrough optimizes PET recycling.
September 25, 2001... Schmalbach-Lubeca AG has announced what it regards as a breakthrough in PET recycling: a bottle-to-bottle process that can provide virgin-quality material at a lower price. The technology will be used to more than triple capacity at...

PLASTICS NEWS: UK processor Litchfield Group acquiring plant.
September 25, 2001... Litchfield Group, a custom processor of PVC building components and garden furniture, is to increase its capacity with the acquisition of a 300,000 square foot unit in Ambergate, UK. Litchfield has plastics extrusion operations in...

PLASTICS NEWS: Heywood Williams merging two British units.
September 25, 2001... PVC pipe and building products maker Heywood Williams plc is restructuring its UK operations. Heywood Williams Plastics Ltd, an extruder of PVC window and door profiles, will be merged with HWBP Ltd, a producer of cellular foam...

PLASTICS NEWS: Anchor Packaging expanding again.
September 25, 2001... Anchor Packaging Inc is to undertake a further expansion - its second in two years. $20 M will be invested in a 12 M lbs/y thermoforming expansion at Paragould, AR, to meet growing food packaging markets. Completion is due by summer...

PLASTICS NEWS: Basell cutting PP capacity, 160 jobs.
September 25, 2001... PP leader Basell NV is reducing PP production by 727 M lbs/y and compounding capacity by 70 M lbs/y, with closures in Spain and the UK in 2002. Two lines homopolymer lines will be mothballed at Wilton, UK, and a compounding facility...

PLASTICS NEWS: BP exiting Arjobex joint venture in Paris.
September 25, 2001... BP plc is to pull out of Arjobex, its international synthetic paper production venture with paper company Arjo Wiggins Appleton plc. BP will sell its 51% stake in the PE-based printing-paper firm to its partner. Arjobex employs 170...

CHIMIE HEBDO: BP increases sulfonated polymers capacity in the US.
September 25, 2001... BP is to increase sulfonated polymers capacity at 2 sites in the US. In Marietta, OH polyphenyl sulfone and Radel polyether sulfone capacities will rise by 40% and in Augusta, GA monomer capacity will be increased by 15%. Work has...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Adhesives: Henkel acquires Lords Corp's 50% stake in Liofol Company.
September 25, 2001... Henkel's subsidiary Henkel of America has exercised its option to acquire Lords Corp's 50% stake in their joint venture Liofol Company. The latter employs 40 people at its units in Cary, NC and Sao Paulo, Brazil and is a leading producer...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Sipca invests in Annemasse, France.
September 25, 2001... Sipca SA is investing several FFR 10 M in restructuring and modernizing its site in Annemasse, France. The size of the site is being increased from 14,000 sq m to 20,000 sq m and health, safety and environmental protection standards are...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Merck and Co to build another unit in Singapore.
September 25, 2001... Merck and Co has opened its new production unit in Singapore. The 1st installation (specializing in the bulk production of drugs such as antiarthritics and analgesics) cost $400 M and there are plans to invest a further $100 M in a...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Deltagen to build research and development centre in Alsace, France.
September 25, 2001... Biotechnology company Deltagen is to build a European research and development centre in Illkirch near Strasbourg, France which wil employ 100 people by 2003. Construction work on the 6000 sq m unit should start in 2002. Deltagen...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Leading medical journals criticize pharmaceutical companies' influence on clinical trials.
September 25, 2001... A dozen leading medical journals (including the British Medical Journal, the Lancet, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Journal of the American Medical Association, Medline database and the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association)...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Knoll closes factory in Valenciennes, France.
September 25, 2001... Knoll is to transfer production work from its factory in Valenciennes, France (which makes sold forms of ibuprofen and employs 163 people) to Ludwigshafen, Germany and Campoverde, Italy by end 2002. The operation is designed to reduce...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Immunex builds new biopharmaceuticals complex in the US.
September 25, 2001... Immunex has announced plans to build a biopharmaceuticals complex in Seattle, US. The Helix project will include drugs research and development laboratories and administration offices. It will employ 2500 people. Construction...

CHIMIE HEBDO: FDA to decide future of Eli Lilly's Xigris.
September 25, 2001... According to the Wall Street Journal, the US Food and Drug Administration will decide whether to approve Eli Lilly's Xigris for the treatment of septicaemia by 22 Sep 2001. The drug is considered one of the most promising for the...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Cell acquires German company Thiemann for #31 M.
September 25, 2001... Celltech has announced its acquisition of German company Thiemann, which makes a #24.6 M turnover with 130 employees. The acquisition will increase the size of Celltech's German sales force. Celltech wants to build up a pan-European...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Cholstat: new lawsuit against Bayer in France.
September 25, 2001... On 3 Sep 2001 a woman from Carcans, France lodged a complaint with the Bordeaux public prosecutor against Bayer after suffering muscular pain brought on by taking the group's drug Cholstat. She reported that recent blood tests revealed...

CHIMIE HEBDO: German health minister wants tighter regulations on use of Viagra in Europe.
September 25, 2001... The German health minister wants stricter European prescription guidelines for Viagra following the death of 30 people in Germany. She reported that 104 people had suffered adverse side-effects from taking the drug and that 30 had died of...

CHIMIE HEBDO: GlaxoSmithKline pursues partnership strategy in Japan.
September 25, 2001... After creating a joint venture with Japanese company Shionogi in Jul 2001 to develop treatments for HIV infection and centre nervous system disorders, GlaxoSmithKline has announced a partnership agreement with Japanese pharmaceuticals group...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Twinrix vaccine: GlaxoSmithKline obtains European Union approval for new administration.
September 25, 2001... The European Union has approved changes to the administration of GlaxoSmithKline's Twinrix vaccine against hepatitis A and B. Henceforth the vaccine can be administered in 4 doses (the first 3 at 7 day intervals and the 4th a year later)...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Antismoking products: GlaxoSmithKline launches Zyban in France.
September 25, 2001... GlaxoSmithKline's antismoking treatment Zyban (bupropion) will be available in France from 17 Sep 2001. The drug is the 1st nicotine-free oral treatment for giving up smoking. It is already marketed in 20 countries and was 1st sold...

CHIMIE HEBDO: US FDA approves Roche's Xeloda/Taxotere bitherapy for breast cancer.
September 25, 2001... Roche has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has approved the combined use of Xeloda and Taxotere as a treatment for metastatic breast cancer. This combination is the 1st to prove more effective than standard treatments...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Roche launches MabThera in Japan.
September 25, 2001... Roche has launched MabThera for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma on the Japanese market where it will be sold under the brandname Rituxan. In Japan 13,000 people a year are diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Meanwhile...

CHIMIE HEBDO: Cancer: major discovery for Merck KGaA.
September 25, 2001... Merck KGaA has for the 1st time identified the complete structure of a protein (integrin receptor beta 3) which plays a key role in cancer. The discovery was made in collaboration with researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital...