New joint venture
India. A joint venture between materials characterisation company Malvern Instruments and Aimil, its long-term distribution partner in India, has resulted in the establishment of Malvern Aimil Instruments Pvt Ltd.
   The new joint venture. which became operational on 1 May 2008, will be headquartered in Mumbai, with staff operating from all eight offices across the country, including two particle size centres of excellence in Bangalore and Baroda.
   Paul Walker, MD of Malvern Instruments, said that the company had enjoyed a highly successful relationship with Aimil for more than 30 years and that the new venture would enable the company to extend its market-leading position in India and expand the applications support provided to customers.
   "India is now one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing markets in the world and Indian companies are significant global players in many industries. Together Malvern Instruments and Aimil have built a strong reputation for the supply and support of systems for particle characterisation, rheological measurement and chemical imaging to a wide range of sectors", said Mr Walker.
www.malvern.com
www.malvernaimil.com
   |   17:05 12/08/2008

Theory and practice courses
USA. Jenike & Johanson are running two ASME/AIChE sponsored courses on the theory and practice of bulk solids handling in Las Vegas on 17 - 19 September 2008.
   Flow of solids in bins, hoppers and feeders will help delegates learn about the wide range of equipment types and the solutions to flow problems commonly associated with them. The intention is to gain a better understanding of how friction, cohesion, compressibility and other properties affect the flow of solids through various types of feeders, chutes, reactors, bins and hoppers. Specifying and selecting hardware to suit particular flow problems and retrofitting existing equipment to correct flow problems, is also be covered.
   Pneumatic conveying of bulk solids covers a wide range of equipment types and common problems associated with them. Delegates will gain an understanding of pneumatic conveying operating principles, determine their effectiveness, troubleshoot the source of problems and subsequently apply solutions to improve efficiency.
   The courses are aimed at design, project and research engineers and personnel responsible for solving and preventing flow problems or purchasing solids handling equipment. There are also workshop sessions to enable participants to work out problems, applying the theory they have learned.
• Register online at www.asme.org/education or call 1-800-THE-ASME (1-800-843-2763)
   |   17:14 12/08/2008

Energy efficiency uppermost
Germany. UWT GmbH-Level Control, the solids level measurement specialist, has started work on a new €2 m production and office building. Continuous business success and a resulting increase in employees are behind the expansion which is less than three years after completion of the last office building .
   MDs Peter Schropp and Uwe Niekrawietz plan to double the number of employees over the next seven years - currently there are 115 people in the UWT group worldwide, with over 70 in Betzigau, Germany.The building will be completed by the end of 2008.
   Cost savings and climate friendly energy efficiency will be key features of the development. This will be achieved by an airtight outer shell, a heat recovery ventilation system, installation of an ultra modern pellet heating system and a thermal solar energy system, requiring only 5 - 6 kWh per square metre annually. The use of wood for the construction was considered an essential element.
   |   16:54 12/08/2008

Air treatment company acquisition
Belgium. Munters has entered into an agreement to acquire Belgian-based Toussaint Nyssenne, manufacturers of air conditioning systems.
   Located in Dison, Belgium, Toussaint Nyssenne manufactures customised highly flexible and modular air conditioning systems, providing air treatment for a wide variety of applications.
  Munters Dehumidification Division, headquartered in Huntingdon, UK, specialises in air treatment solutions. One aspect of its expertise involves the elimination of mould, frost and bacterial growth in commodities.
   The acquisition is designed to continue Munters strategic growth initiative in energy-efficient air treatment solutions, strengthening its position and presence in Europe through synergies in product integration, technology and distribution.
   |   12:22 04/08/2008

New MD for Kemutec
UK. Kemutec Powder Technologies Ltd has announced the appointment of George Tunnicliffe as new MD, effective 1 August 2008.
   Mr Tunnicliffe has 30 years experience in the powder handling and processing Industry and was instrumental in creating Kemutec Powder Technologies Ltd, formed in 2005 as part of a management led buyout. More recently, Mr Tunnicliffe managed Kemutec's acquisition of PPS in 2006.
   The appointment is part of a management restructure at Kemutec, with Tony Goodwin and Steve Bayley appointed operations director and technical director respectively. They join Martin Thomson, sales director, responsible for all sales activity outside the US and Rob Dallow, president of Kemutec Powder Technologies Inc.
   Commenting on his appointment, Mr Tunnicliffe said that he had spent the majority of his career at Kemutec and was delighted to be given the opportunity to lead a talented board and a company at the forefront of powder processing technology. “I am excited at the prospect of being part of a management team that will take Kemutec forward and build on it's leading position in the market", he added.
   |   11:29 01/08/2008

Move to Swiss facility
Switzerland. The K-Tron Process Group is to move its pneumatic conveying production facilities from Stockport, UK to Niederlenz, Switzerland. This will result in the formation of a new European centre of excellence for vacuum pneumatic conveying systems based in Stockport.
   The changes are said to be a direct result of the success of K-Tron's pneumatic conveying business since acquiring Pneumatic Conveying Systems Ltd in 2001 and future business expansion expected from the recent purchase of Premier Pneumatics Inc, Salina, USA.
   The production facility at Stockport is no longer considered large enough to handle current demand for the product line and the imminent introduction of the Premier Pneumatics line into Europe and Asia is expected to put further demands on production. Product lines will be manufactured under ISO procedures using existing computerised manufacturing systems designed to improve K-Tron's ability to serve the rapidly increasing UK and international client base with documentation and after sales support in different languages.
   There will be heavy investment in the extensive Niederlenz test lab facility to provide one-stop full scale material testing abilities. K-Tron’s sales, engineering and after sales presence in the Stockport area will be maintained with the office acting as the European centre of excellence for engineering vacuum conveying and material handling systems. The number of project engineers based in Stockport has been increased to facilitate the initiative.
www.ktron.com
   |   18:06 17/07/2008

Investment in design software
Ireland. GEA Ireland, Ireland's process integration arm of the €4.5 bn GEA Group, is utilising AutoCAD P&ID to enhance its design capability.
   At the company's office in Naas, Co. Kildare, the process design team is using the latest incarnation of AutoCAD which includes a dedicated tool for Process & Instrumentation Design (P&ID), allowing designs to be completed more quickly and providing a better flow of information about each design within the organisation.
   The team, seasoned users of AutoCAD, had a requirement to improve its P&ID capabilities. Early demonstrations indicated savings in design time, but, according to design team leader J P Brady, a major consideration was the graphical legacy information created in previous versions of AutoCAD.
  "We had about 350 standard GEA Equipment blocks - or objects as they now are - relating to the components we use. Fortunately, importing them into AutoCAD P&ID and attaching relevant information to them was really simple”. This is said to save huge amounts of redrawing time, and is a bonus when dealing with US clients who use different sizing conventions.
   "Process engineers are expensive," said Brady. "The fact that they will no longer have to manually produce valve lists, instrument or equipment lists, and they 'pop' out of the back of the system through the excel or database links, is a worthwhile cost saving”. The current process for updating even a couple of lines of text on a P&ID involves a process engineer, a draughtsman and at least one cycle of checking between the two. Giving the process engineer access to the P&IDs through, say, a network front end, allows changes to be made via a database immediately.
   Brady said that maintenance engineers around the world can access current P&IDs on a laptop via the web or email rather than having to refer to paper drawings.
Tel: +353 45 981 370
   |   08:53 20/06/2008

Masterbatch facility for Dubai
UAE. Cabot Corp has announced plans to build a carbon black masterbatch manufacturing facility in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai. Initial production capacity is expected to be 25,000 t per year with provision to expand to 75,000 t in the future. A plot of land has already been secured and construction will begin later this year, with production scheduled to start in autumn 2009.
   The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will include the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure high quality products. Laboratories, administration offices, production and packaging will all be located within the building.
   The plant will allow Cabot to better meet increasing demand from customers in the Middle East, Europe and Asia Pacific regions. The Middle East, now a major producer of polyolefins and downstream compounds, is expected to produce one-fifth of the world's polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) by 2010 .
   Cabot VP and General Manager for the Performance Segment, Sean Keohane said, "Within the Middle East there is already strong demand for PE and PP compounds for use in building infrastructure for water supply, electricity, and telecommunications projects. These are key markets for carbon black masterbatch".
17:51 03/06/2008

Second fumed silica plant
China. Cabot Corp’s subsidiary, Cabot (China) Ltd, has signed a joint venture agreement with China National Bluestar Group to build a fumed silica manufacturing facility in China.
   The agreement represents an expansion of the relationship between the two companies, which began with construction of the first fumed silica facility in Jiangxi province in 2004.
   Cabot Bluestar Chemical (Tianjin) Co Ltd, the new joint venture company, will invest around $40 m in the plant which will have a capacity of approximately 7000 t per year. It will be located in Tianjin, China and will be commissioned in early 2010, helping growth in the Chinese silicone industry.
17:35 03/06/2008

Award recognises contribution
UK. Prof Alan Reed of the University of Greenwich has been presented with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' Bulk Materials Handling Committee's prestigious Solids Handling Award, recognising his valuable contribution to the powder and bulk handling and processing sector.
  Currently Director of Regional Liaison (Kent and Medway) and Professor, Medway School of Engineering at the University of Greenwich, his long and illustrious career has been strongly associated at all stages with research projects that are directly beneficial to industry, working with a long list of industrial partners over the years.
   In 1989 he was instrumental in establishing the Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology, attracting financial support from the Wolfson Foundation and developing it into one of the world's leading research groups in its field. In excess of £3m of external funding has been attracted to undertake research from organisations such as the EPSRC, DTI, Department of Energy, the Wolfson Foundation, the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, HEFCE, PCFC and NAB, as well as industry.
   One of the largest assignments that Prof Reed has been involved in to date is the £1.4m EPSRC funded Quality in Particulate Manufacturing (QPM) project, initiated to develop techniques to preserve the quality of particulate materials, such as cornflakes, muesli and sugars, during manufacturing processes. Carried out in association with the Centre of Numerical Modelling and Process Analysis, University of Greenwich and Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Surrey, the project attracted an additional £1m of funding from industrial partners that included GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Tate and Lyle, United Biscuits, Borax Europe and Morgan.
   Particulate handling technology developed during the project has already helped one UK-based multinational pharmaceutical company to cut manufacturing losses by £1m at a new processing plant. QPM is designed to effectively reduce problems that can occur, such as lumping, breakage and separation, when handling particulate materials. Greenwich University's Wolfson Centre for Bulk Solids Handling Technology has also been highly commended for its work at an IChemE awards ceremony for innovation.
• Further information about the Wolfson Centre: Tel: +44 (0) 20 8331 8646 Email: wolfson-enquiries@gre.ac.uk Website: www.gre.ac.uk/wolfson
09:02 02/06/2008

FLSmidth acquires pressure filter technology
USA. FLSmidth has acquired the automatic pressure filter business of US-based Pneumapress Inc, a global leader in fully automatic pressure filtration and drying technology. The transaction is valued at approximately $18 m. Pneumapress is headquartered in Richmond, California, USA, with assembly and testing facilities in Antioch, California.
   From a privately held company founded in 1989 with a single module filter, Pneumapress has developed into an innovator with its state of the art multi-module tower press, rapidly capturing market share particularly in mineral slurries and iron ore applications. The technology applies pressurised air and gases as opposed to the more conventional approach of vacuum and mechanical pressures, reducing moisture to near zero per cent and eliminating costly dryer installations in many cases, says the company.
   The filter technology has potential applications in nearly every flowsheet where filtration is required. Combining Pneumapress with the recent acquisition of Dorr-Oliver Eimco and Krebs Engineers is seen as advancing FLSmidth Minerals’ position as a global leader in liquid/solids solutions for the minerals industry.
12:48 27/05/2008

ISO 14001 certification
UK. Mono® NOV, leading designer and manufacturer of pumps, parts, grinders, screens and packaged systems, has gained ISO 14001 certification.This follows the implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS), ensuring compliance with environmental legal requirements, prevention of pollution and delivery of continuous improvement in environmental performance.
   The EMS will be audited and monitored by a UKAS certified body on an ongoing basis in accordance with the requirements of the standards. Mono's MD, Paul Naylon, said that certification is a positive step for the company, clearly demonstrating its dedication to continually improving environmental performance.
  "With the commitment of the entire company, this EMS will enable Mono to address the delicate balance between maximising productivity and reducing the impact that Mono's activities can have on the local environment, as well as on a nationwide scale", said Naylon.
   The award is a double celebration for the company as they have also been awarded the Investors in People Award (IPP).
21:53 22/05/2008

ACHEMA’s commitment to research and innovation
Germany. ACHEMA 2009, the leading international event for chemical engineering, environmental protection and biotechnology, is underlining its commitment to research and innovation worldwide by offering universities free exhibition booths within the event's Research and Innovation area. This will enable establishments to exhibit their research skills and capabilities to an anticipated 180,000 visitors from 100 countries.
   "At the last ACHEMA event in 2006, three British universities were amongst the more than 250 exhibitors from research-based establishments involved predominantly in process engineering, measurement and control, materials science and biotechnology," explained Mike Day, UK and Ireland representative for the organising company. "The Research and Innovation area will have a more centralised location in 2009 and we encourage many more UK universities to make the most of this major opportunity to be at the hub of 4000 global exhibitors from 50 countries."
   Greatly reduced stand costs are also offered to any start-up companies established since mid-2006, providing them with a low cost opportunity to showcase their skills and capabilities in the same shop window as bigger, more established companies.
   The exhibition, which takes place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany from 11 to 15 May 2009, is also hosting a special show addressing the green theme of Chemistry and Biotechnology for Renewable Resources and Energy. Special low rate tariffs are offered to potential exhibitors at this event.
  The ACHEMA Congress, running in conjunction with the exhibition, features more than 900 specialist lectures and offers exhibitors the opportunity to explain and illustrate in more detail the benefit of their technologies.
• Contact: Mike Day Tel: + 44 (0) 1256 329743
Email: MDayatACHEMAUK@aol.com
www.achema.de
11:07 19/05/2008

Appointment to help growth plan
UK. Structure-flex has recruited Richard Osborn as general manager, with responsibilities that are tied into a demanding three-year business plan.
  Mr Osborn’s previous posts have included working with family owned companies similar in size and structure to Structure-flex, as well as experience of corporate businesses such as ICL and The Ford Motor Company.
   Commenting on the appointment, MD Ian Doughty said, "Richard is a manufacturing professional, and I believe he is well qualified and experienced to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of a company which is continuing to develop as a result of growing world-wide sales."
   Structure-flex is a leading provider of bulk packaging solutions to the global food, pharmaceutical, chemical, oil and gas industries, and a leading supplier of vehicle tension curtains and lifting products.
Tel: +44 (0) 1263 863 100
21:34 14/05/2008

ASME/AIChE sponsored courses
USA. Jenike & Johanson engineers are presenting ASME/AIChE sponsored courses which are reviewed and approved by the AIChE Education Services Committee.
   Flow of solids in bins, hoppers, chutes and feeders takes place on 10 - 11 June 2008 in San Francisco, USA, and covers equipment types and solutions to flow problems commonly associated with them. The aim is to gain a better understanding of how friction, cohesion, compressibility and other properties affect solids flow through various types of feeders, chutes, reactors, bins and hoppers.
   Delegates will learn how to specify and select the hardware best suited to solve flow problems, including retrofitting existing equipment to correct flow problems and solving problems associated with solids handling, such as lost production, plant downtime, extra labour, poor quality control, spoiled material and unreliable equipment.
   Pneumatic conveying of bulk solids is another course that takes place on 12 June 2008 in San Francisco, USA, covering different types of equipment and solutions to commonly encountered problems. Here the objective is to provide a better understanding of pneumatic conveying operating principles to help evaluate in-plant systems and determine effectiveness.
   Delegates will be given an insight into, troubleshooting conveying problems and applying various solutions to improve efficiency, choosing a conveying system layout based upon proper principles of operation and choosing system components. Importantly, the course will provide critical design methodology for dealing with bulk solids emergencies and planning new installations or plant expansions which incorporate solids handling.
   Courses are targeted at design, project and research engineers, as well as plant personnel responsible for solving and preventing flow problems or purchasing equipment. Course fee for the two-day session is $1,095 for ASME/AIChE members and $1,195 for non-members. Fee for the one-day pneumatic conveying course is $745 for ASME/AIChE members and $845 for non-members. There are also ‘early bird’ registration discounts.
• Register online at www.asme.org/education or call 1-800-THE-ASME (1-800-843-2763)
10:24 14/05/2008

Why it pays to be an engineer!
UK. New statistics published by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) indicate that chemical engineers have enjoyed a 9 per cent pay rise since 2006. The 2008 IChemE Salary Survey reveals that the median salary for chemical engineers in the UK and Ireland has risen to £47,000 per year.
   Welcoming the news. Dr David Brown, IChemE chief executive, said that there has never been a better time to be a chemical engineer: “Not only are the salaries of experienced chemical engineers on the up, the average chemical engineering graduate salary is now £26,000 per year”, he said.
  Demand for chemical and process engineers is growing and international concern regarding the impact of climate change will mean that chemical and process engineers will be responsible for finding solutions.
   The survey also revealed that engineers choosing to work towards chartered status are reaping further rewards. A chartered chemical engineer in their 30s can expect to earn 17 per cent more than a non-chartered professional of the same age, rising to 38 per cent for a chartered professional in their 50s.
22:33 07/05/2008

Irish agent appointed
In a strategic move aimed at increasing new equipment sales in the important Irish market, Nottingham-based Chronos Richardson has appointed a new agent in Ireland.
   Goliath Packaging Systems of Nenagh, Co Tipperary, will assume responsibility for selling the complete Chronos Richardson range of weighing, bagging and palletising systems. Working on a non-exclusive basis and reporting to regional sales manager Martin Roe, the agent will use its extensive industry knowledge to promote the product portfolio.
   Commenting on the development, general manager Peter Orme said that the company recognise the importance of having a locally based company representing them in this important market. “George O’Leary of Goliath Packaging Systems has many years experience in the packaging sector and in the coming months he will focus on improving new equipment sales for us in Ireland”, said Orme.
  “We believe that this exciting new partnership will enable both new and existing customers in Ireland to realise the benefits provided by our internationally proven weighing, bagging and palletising equipment.”
www.chronosrichardson.com
www.goliath.ie
15:08 22/04/2008

Nationalisation plans
Venezuela. Holcim Venezuela has been informed by the Venezuelan government that it plans to nationalise all foreign cement producers operating in the country. The acquisition of at least 60 per cent of the share capital of the companies affected is to be instigated as soon as possible, and Holcim Venezuela has been called on to nominate a negotiating delegation.
   Holcim has operated in the country since 1978, when the Group acquired a minority holding in Cementos Caribe. Following the merger with another private cement company, Holcim successively increased its stake in Holcim Venezuela – a major national producer of building materials – to 99.9 per cent.
   In the forthcoming negotiations, the aim is to find a solution that is satisfactory to both sides, and safeguard the interests of the Venezuelan Group company and its employees.
   The company operates two cement plants in Puerto Cumarebo and San Sebastián with an annual capacity of 2.9 mt, producing exclusively for the domestic market at the request of the Venezuelan government. There are also ready-mix concrete facilities and aggregates plants and an average of $20m per annum has been invested in efficiency improvements and environmental measures over the the past eight years.
21:32 13/04/2008

Corporate name change
Canada. Bulkflow Technologies Inc has changed its name to Solex Thermal Science Inc to more accurately reflect the strengths and value it offers customers.
     Founded in 1999 as Bulkflow Technologies Inc, Solex Thermal Science Inc specialises in heating, cooling and drying free flowing bulk solids such as sugar, salt, fertiliser, chemicals, plastics, biosolids, minerals and other types of granular, crystals and powder. The original cooler technology was invented more than 20 years ago and was acquired by Bulkflow in 1999.
   Solex heat exchanger technology provides direct heating and cooling of free flowing powders and bulk solids utilising a vertical bank of closely spaced heat exchanger plates. As product passes slowly downward under gravity, it can be cooled (or heated) using conduction. A mass flow discharge feeder regulates product flow and creates uniform product velocity.
www.solexthermal.com
10:46 04/04/2008

Research breakthrough using powder tester
UK. Researchers at the University of Bath,UK are using Freeman Technology’s FT4 Powder Rheometer to understand and optimise the performance of dry powder inhalers (DPIs). Recently published data highlights a direct correlation between the flow properties of excipient powders, measured with the FT4 under aerating conditions, and the effectiveness of drug delivery of carrier based DPI formulations.
   Data will be presented at RDD Respiratory Drug Delivery 2008 (11 - 15 May, Arizona, USA) by Drs Jagdeep Shur and Robert Price of the Pharmaceutical Surface Science Group, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Bath.
   Relatively coarse excipient particles are used to improve the flow properties of micronised active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) used in DPIs. In practice, a patient inhales, drawing air through the device, fluidising the resulting blend and stripping API from the excipient, for deposition in the lung - a process that is promoted by including excipient fines.
   Using the FT4 universal powder tester, samples can be characterised under aerating/fluidising conditions. In this particular case the instrument was used to measure aerated flow energy, bulk density, compressibility and permeability for various DPI blends. A direct correlation was observed between aerated flow energy and fine particle dose - the amount of formulation deposited in the lung - which both increased with increasing fines.
   Results suggest that higher fines concentrations increase the resistance of the bed to flow, ultimately subjecting the powder to higher aerodynamic drag forces during fluidisation, the forces encouraging API removal from the excipient, enhancing drug delivery to the lung.
www.freemantech.co.uk
12:54 02/04/2008

Website update
UK. Following a move to new factory premises in Nottingham, UK, Chronos Richardson has taken a step forward with its company development programme by implementing the first in a series of updates to its website at www.servicechronos.com
   The homepage now reflects the full weighing, bagging and palletising product portfolio, with the addition of a news page to update customers on a diverse range of special offers and promotions. This includes a discount offer on service and spare parts, a request to acquire surplus equipment from customers and details of Chronos-Approved pre-owned machines.
   General Manager, Peter Orme said that like many suppliers around the world, the company recognises the challenging trading conditions that many customers face. The updated website is therefore there to help customers ensure optimum production from weighing, bagging and palletising equipment in challenging economic conditions.
www.servicechronos.com
www.chronosrichardson.com
15:25 31/03/2008

Combustible dust program
USA. A directive (CPL 03-00-006) from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency of the US Department of Labor, which initiates a Combustible Dust - National Emphasis Program (NEP), will require OSHA offices to begin inspections of sites that handle combustible dusts, specifically targeting dust explosion hazards.
   Chilworth Technology has produced an article, to help industry better understand the program, which can be downloaded from their website.
www.chilworth.com/articles/Focus2007-9-OSHAInstructionsonCombustibleDusts.pdf
12:14 28/03/2008

Wide range at Chinaplas
USA. K-Tron Process Group has introduced a new version of its Micro Cone low rate feeder to the Asian market at the Chinaplas plastics and rubber industries exhibition in Shanghai, China. By utilising a screw-less rotating tube or cone, the feeder is capable of dosing at rates as low as 0.2 to 2 cu dec per hr.
   The latest version, which uses KCM controls and a stepper motor, is available in volumetric and gravimetric models and can also be incorporated into the K4G blender stand to offer on-line feeding of very low rate additives.
   The exhibition booth featured a wide range of equipment including: new extrusion control system; new K-Vision feeder operator interface; Bulk Solids Pump™ (BSP) feeder family; K4G blender with integrated Premier Pneumatics vacuum receivers for refill; Quick Change Feeder; and smart weigh belt feeder.
   A computerised demonstration highlighted the capabilities of the new gravimetric extrusion control system. The K4G blender on display illustrated the significance of the weigh hopper an integral part of the extrusion control system, receiving material from the blender and weighing it on its way into the extruder. Extrusion control gravimetrically measures extruder throughput and adjusts speed to maintain the desired rate and provide consistent end product quality.
   The system is implemented in the KCM feeder controller and also in the K-Tron Smart Commander (KSC) feeder operator interface for co-extrusion of multiple layers. The package offers mass flow or weight-per-length control, gravimetrically controlling the layer recipe and acting as a mass flow sensor.
   Several product lines from K-Tron's Premier Pneumatics brand were also displayed, including heavy duty (HD) and maximum duty (MD) Aerolock™ rotary valves as well as light duty (LD) and blow-through (BT) models - a line that includes over 150 styles and sizes.
   Since acquiring Premier Pneumatics in 2006, K-Tron now uses the Premier Pneumatics brand name for all of its pneumatic conveying lines. The Premier model P10 and P30 vacuum receivers (formerly sold under the PCS brand name) are shown. P-Series receivers can convey delicate materials and free flowing to poorly flowing powders.
www.ktron.com.
13:22 18/03/2008

Off-the-shelf ATEX solution
UK. Braby, leading manufacturer of ATEX compliant aluminium and stainless steel silos, has launched Vacatex™; its first standard, low cost, fully ATEX compliant vacuum transfer and batch weighing package for the food industry. The system meets DSEAR and ATEX 137 regulations for fire and explosion prevention in the workplace.
   Sales and Marketing Director, Paul Mayer said that installing new equipment and ensuring it is ATEX compliant is a major concern for the food industry, and, for many small to medium companies, cost can be a big issue. The Vacatex™ storage and handling system not only provides a cost effective solution, but enables companies to become ATEX compliant more easily. It means that there is now an 'off-the-shelf' solution to replace non-ATEX compliant machinery for companies who cannot necessarily afford expensive bespoke bulk handling packages.
   Braby's in-house team of experts designed and project managed the system and many advanced orders have already been received. The system meets ATEX design criterion, which includes a full design study, risk assessment and HAZOP technical file identifying risk and solution. Some of the areas included are: shock pressure, operating pressure, vent area and calculated design stress. An EC declaration also accompanies the equipment.
www.braby.co.uk
16:34 17/03/2008

New MD for GEA Niro GmbH - Buck
Germany. Roland Luchte has taken over from Martin Koch as MD of GEA Niro GmbH - Buck in Müllheim, Germany. The company is a member of the GEA Pharma Systems group and manufactures high containment valves for safe transfer of active and toxic ingredients during pharmaceutical processing. Koch will remain with the company to focus on research and development operations.
   Luchte is a chemical engineer who has been with GEA for over five years, previously working with GEA Jet Pumps in Ettlingen handling sales of gas scrubbing equipment, and joined GEA Niro GmbH - Buck on the 1 January. This coincided with GEA’s creation of a separate H-Division to bring together all companies within the Group specialising in the pharmaceutical industry (Buck, Courtoy, Niro, Lyophil, Aeromatic-Fielder and Collette). Luchte said that the main focus would be on increasing sales, looking for new applications within the pharmaceutical industry.
   The high containment valve range now includes the Buck®Valve MC, a new concept that is designed to make the transfer of active ingredients or chemicals between IBCs much easier and less expensive. HiCoFlex technology is a self-locking coupling which allows highly sensitive or toxic powders and granules to be transferred safely from flexible sacks into process or vice versa. Recently introduced is Hicoflex ZL (Ziplock), intended for non-dusty applications and a high containment version that combines both the standard HiCoFlex SL and HiCoFlex ZL technology for additional exposure protection.
www.geapharmasystems.com
16:57 17/03/2008

Strong earnings growth
France. Another year of strong earnings growth is reported by Lafarge’s board of directors at a meeting to approve accounts for the financial year to December 31, 2007. Sales were up 4 per cent to €17,614 m, current operating income up 17 per cent to €3,242 m, and operating margin up sharply to 18.4 per cent from 16.4 per cent in 2006.
   Worldwide cement demand has experienced uninterrupted growth over nearly twenty years, regardless of economic fluctuations, said Bruno Lafont, Lafarge Chairman and CEO. He said that by building new capacity in fast growing markets and recently acquiring Orascom Cement, the company is in a position to fully benefit from this trend. There are still considerable construction needs in emerging markets and Lafarge anticipate further growth in global demand in spite of prevailing conditions of weak demand in the US and slowdown in Spain.
   Highlights for 2007 included the start up of new plants in northern Iraq and Algeria and the programme to build 45 mt of new cement capacity by 2010 progressing. The company’s gypsum business was also affected by the US residential market slowdown with sales down 3 per cent, but there was an increase in other markets, particularly in Western and Eastern Europe.
21:01 17/02/2008

Acquisition completed
Lafarge and Orascom Construction Industries have completed the acquisition of Orascom Cement by Lafarge, originally announced on 10 December 2007. Orascom Construction Industries (OCI) was established in Egypt in 1950 and is composed of two main groups - the Cement Group and Construction Group.
   It is one of the major cement producers and construction conglomerates in the Middle East and North Africa and its operations extend into regional markets that include North Africa, Gulf States, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Iraq. As a cement producer it is collectively regarded as the largest cement producer in the Middle East.
19:00 24/01/2008

Full order book
Switzerland. The Buhler Technology Group has reported that orders worth CHF 1,835m were booked in 2007, a figure 8.5 per cent above the previous year's level.
   Overall, the Group is said to have benefited from a sound market environment, despite some customer segments responding to rises in grain prices and stiff competition in the automotive sector putting pressure on capital spending. Buhler says that its powerful sales and customer service platforms proved to be of strategic significance in all markets. Growth was sharp in the Group's major market regions.
   In Europe, order bookings were boosted by 15 per cent, with Eastern Europe in particular achieving above average growth of 20 per cent. The region of North, Central, and South America saw an increase in order intake by some 24 per cent, but in other regions, the situation was more diverse. In Africa, order bookings declined again and, despite political and economic turmoil, business in the Middle East and China remained constant. India improved markedly.
   The expectation is an above average improvement over the previous year in terms of both sales turnover and earnings. The Group started the new year with a large backlog of orders.
   Buhler, a global leader in the supply of process engineering solutions, especially production technologies for manufacturing foods and engineering materials, is present in over 140 countries and employs about 6,600 persons worldwide.
17:00 24/01/2008

Opportunity for UK Solids sector
UK solids handling companies now have the opportunity to attend a two-part event in the Czech Republic on 9 - 12 September 2008. UK Trade and Investment in conjunction with the International Solids Handling Advisory Board (ISHAB)* are organising local industry visits and meetings coupled with attendance at the BulkEurope Conference in Prague where over 200 international delegates are expected, including many from developing countries.
   A comprehensive programme is planned, including:
• Local customer meetings prearranged via UKTI OMIS scheme
• Reception at the British Ambassador’s residence
• Conference dinner sponsored by UKTI with keynote speech by ISHAB
  chairman Steve Clewley
• UK stand at the conference
• UK Solids Handling Sector Guide of suppliers
• Mentoring of suppliers to help secure meetings
   Those attending will therefore benefit from developing market opportunities in the country and surrounding regions and networking with international conference delegates, fully supported by ISHAB/UKTI.
• Contact: Oakley Associates Ltd, 3 The Meadows, Monk Fryston, North Yorkshire LS25 5PJ Tel: 01977 682790
Email: Trevor@oakleyassociates.co.uk
* ISHAB Ltd is an alliance of MHEA (Materials Handling Engineers Association) and SHAPA (Solids Handling and Processing Association) set up to promote and develop international trade for the UK solids handling sector
15:32 23/01/2008

Valve challenge announced
UK. Vortex Valves is celebrating a double success, after gaining new accreditations in safety and quality. ATEX approval for explosive environments and ISO9001 quality systems certification now support the company’s range of valves.
   The complete range is now ATEX approved for Group II, Category 2 - Zones 1 and 21 plus Group II, Category 3 - Zones 2 and 22. ATEX-approved accessories and control packages are also available for Group II categories and applications. Both achievements have come in little over a year since Vortex Valves Europe was launched in the UK by its US parent company, with MD Jon Naylor heading up the UK operation.
   He explained that in the first 12 months, the company had focused on introducing the valve range to industry using a mobile demonstration service. Now a challenge has been issued, inviting anyone with a troublesome valve to have it replaced by a Vortex valve, free of charge. A new website dedicated to UK and European customers has also been launched detailing accreditations and the replacement valve challenge.
www.vortexvalveseurope.com
15:31 23/01/2008

Double boost for chem eng
UK. Two new UK chemical engineering research facilities have opened within the space of 48 hours, ahead of record student intake figures.
   The opening of the new multi-million pound DICE (Driving Innovation in Chemistry and Engineering) research centre sets The University of Nottingham on a course to become a world leader in ‘clean’ chemistry and engineering. The centre’s dual role will be to discover new sustainable technologies while inspiring youngsters at school and university, encouraging them to consider chemistry or engineering as a career.
   DICE’s focus will be on rapid innovation in environmentally friendly ways of making chemicals. The aim is to make more efficient use of energy, safer chemical products, renewable raw materials, ‘zero-waste’ processes and related research.
   The development follows hot on the heels of a new research laboratory recently opened at Strathclyde University’s Department of Chemical and Process Engineering. UCAS’ final 2007 UK university admission figures indicate a record takeup of chemical engineering undergraduate schemes.
11:58 16/01/2008

New company to focus on inorganic waste
UK. SRM, one of Europe's largest hazardous waste recycling companies, has formed a new company, Minerals Resource Management, jointly owned and funded by Castle Cement.
   MRM says that it is looking for wastes that contain oxides of calcium, silicon and aluminium which can be found in many different types of waste, even washed eggshells - which consist mainly of calcium carbonate - for use as a substitute for mined limestone within the cement making process.
     MD Stewart McGown explains that the formation of the new company brings specific focus onto organic wastes that would otherwise go to landfill, now increasingly environmentally and commercially undesirable. Castle Cement already claims to be the UK's lowest emitter of carbon dioxide per tonne of cement. The new company's aim is to help increase sustainability by utilising greater amounts of waste instead of virgin raw materials.
   The list of materials that potentially could be used in the cement making process is endless and includes foundry sands, slag wastes, air pollution control wastes and ceramic tile wastes to name but a few. MRM will initially analyse such material to ensure compatibility with the cement-making process, both in respect of emissions and cement quality.
22:03 09/01/2008

Call for papers
UK. A call for papers for the Bulk08 conference is announced. Organised by the Materials Handling Engineers Association (MHEA), the event takes place in Blackpool, UK on 17 and 18 April 2008.
   Those interested in presenting a paper should send a 30-word synopsis to Dr Harold Wright at hw@mhea.co.uk. Those requiring early registration should also email hw@mhea.co.uk quoting "YES to Bulk08 at Blackpool".
• Contact: Tel/fax: 01642 570045 Email: hw@mhea.co.uk
Website: www.mhea.co.uk
22:03 09/01/2008

Tyre recycling to be rubber stamped
UK. With more than 100,000 used tyres removed from UK vehicles daily, a new initiative launched by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the Environment Agency is designed to help businesses come to grips with the value of this resource.
   Termed The Quality Protocol for the production and use of tyre-derived rubber materials and launched to consultation today, it could make it easier and cheaper for industry to reprocess used tyres into valuable products like flooring, road surfacing, aggregates and footwear.
   Martin Brocklehurst, Head of External Waste Programmes at the Environment Agency, said that if the entire annual tyre waste of England and Wales was placed end to end it would stretch from London to Cardiff more than 100 times. There is apparently the potential to access more than 40,000 t of recycled rubber.
   Mr Brocklehurst explained that such a Quality Protocol could save businesses the time and costs associated with meeting waste regulations, by clearly defining the standards required to collect, transport, store, recycle and reuse rubber tyres, importantly without harming human health and the environment. Under such a regime, processed used tyres would no longer be classified as waste, making the recycled rubber more marketable and guaranteeing customers that material they buy would meet agreed quality standards.
   Dr Richard Swannell from WRAP, said that the arrangement could potentially stimulate growth in the reprocessing sector, providing easier access to an important resource with a significant number of applications.
10:27 08/01/2008

Engineering department doubled
USA. Flexicon Corp, the US-based bulk solids handling specialists, have doubled the size of its engineering department and increased engineering personnel by 50 percent at its 8361 sq m manufacturing facility and world headquarters.
   Vice president John Simonof stated that “Engineering is the heart of Flexicon” and the latest development responds to the fact that US engineering staff had outgrown available space, limiting the hiring of additional personnel. Inventory space was therefore converted to a purpose-built engineering department which became operational in October 2007, providing space for additional staff while improving workflow efficiency.
   In addition to the engineering of equipment and systems, engineering staff are also responsible for new equipment designs, for which numerous patents have been awarded in 32 countries, and for designs that comply with evolving certifications required by governmental and industry associations for chemical, food, dairy, and pharmaceutical applications worldwide. The space previously occupied by the department has allowed a corresponding expansion of the technical service and applications engineering departments.
   To date, the engineering department has compiled performance data on over 10,000 installations that engineers, at its manufacturing sites in the US, UK, Australia and South Africa, can reference when designing equipment and systems for specialised applications.
   It was in 2002 that the US headquarters doubled the combined area of separate manufacturing facilities it previously operated in Phillipsburg, NJ and Easton, PA.
www.flexicon.com
14:04 07/01/2008

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