PLASTICS ______________________________________________________

Production to move
China. Cabot Corp has announced plans to close its Hong Kong masterbatch plant and move production to a new facility in Tianjin.
   Starting in April 2012, all Cabot's masterbatch product made in China will be produced in Tianjin, a facility that opened in September 2011. Current capacity is large enough to supply current demand in Asia, as well as any near-term growth.
   Tianjin is designed to be the premier black masterbatch and carbon black manufacturing facility in Asia, the integrated nature of the plant creating strong competitive advantages as a result of integrated economics, scale, and world-class process technology.
   Patrick Prevost, Cabot president and CEO said: "Our operations in Tianjin give us important competitive advantages. Moving all of our China masterbatch production to Tianjin maximizes these advantages."
  | 19:17 08/01/2012

INTERNET _____________________________________________________

Still talking after a year
UK. Malvern Instruments is celebrating the first anniversary of its increasingly successful blog. 
  Launched to open up discussions in the world of materials characterisation, Materials Talks has gone from strength to strength with multiple authors providing science and technology news, views and insight.
   Malvern's David Higgs said: "Since its inception in 2010 the Materials Talks blog has provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with a wider audience, providing customers with helpful tips and advice as well as providing our employees and customers with a forum to talk about their passions and interests." Importantly, the blog also plays a role in disseminating application knowledge.
• To subscribe, please long onto: www.materials-talks.com
  | 19:27 02/11/2011

RESEARCH _____________________________________________________

Grinding partnership with university
Australia. Metso and the University of Queensland in Brisbane have finalised a three-year agreement covering joint research and performance evaluations of the VERTIMILL® grinding mill developed by Metso.
   The agreement is part of a longstanding relationship between Metso and the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, known as the JKMRC, at the university's Sustainable Minerals Institute. 
  The project provides the JKMRC with the opportunity to enhance its already significant knowledge base in stirred milling while providing direct value to Metso and its technologies. According to JKMRC's Director, Professor Geoff Gault, Metso has been a strong supporter of research at the JKMRC, mainly through Metso's Brisbane-based Process Technology and Innovation business unit.
   There will be a sharing of expertise and methodology, validating field performance in terms of energy efficiency, not only in fine grinding applications but also specifically in coarse grinding applications.
   Professor Malcolm Powell, JKMRC's Professorial Chair in Sustainable Comminution, explains that the JKMRC endeavours to cover the entire comminution and classification process chain in mineral processing. "We provide complete modelling and simulation capability, delivered via the JKSimMet processing plant simulator. Fine grinding is playing a growing role in the beneficiation of finely disseminated minerals, so the JKMRC is actively improving its modelling capability in this area."
  | 21:00 30/10/2011

WEIGHING _____________________________________________________

100 per cent  stake
India. FLSmidth has acquired a 100 per cent shareholding in Indian company Transweigh India Ltd, a company in which FLSmidth has been a minority shareholder up until now.
   The company supplies gravimetric feeding equipment, mainly to the steel, iron and cement industries and also markets and sells FLSmidth Pfister's fuel feeder product range to the growing Indian market.
   Transweigh also sells proprietary products such as belt weigh feeders, apron weigh feeders, apron feeders, loss-in-weight feeders, solids flow meters, bin weighing equipment and feeding electronics. Products are sold as standalone products but often with auxiliary equipment to form a complete feeding system with integrated material handling components.
   The company mainly operates within India and the acquisition will also strengthen FLSmidth Pfister's ability to provide feeding equipment to the entire FLSmidth Group and the market in general.
   "Transweigh is a long term partner of FLSmidth Pfister and holds valuable knowhow regarding feeding technology and material handling, which we can now also turn to good account outside India", said Group CEO Jørgen Huno Rasmussen. Transweigh's head office and production facilities are located in Mumbai and around 300 people are employed.
  | 22:59 20/10/2011

MIXING _________________________________________________________

Acquisition of high-shear technology
Denmark. GEA Process Engineering has moved into the mixing business with the purchase of existing high-shear mixing technology.
   The new mixing business, which will go under the new brand name of Mixing Formula, will be headquartered at GEA Skanderborg in Denmark. Both batch and in-line mixing technology will be marketed under the brand. 
  The move follows GEA's recognition of the need to offer mixing technology to meet growing demand for pre-prepared dairy and food products, beverage products and personal care products.
   The Mixing Formula range will have a high-shear capability suited to mixing high-viscosity dairy and food products such as ketchup, mayonnaise, baby-food, sweetened condensed milk, ice cream mixes, processed cheese and spreads; beverage products like ready to drink iced coffees, chocolate drinks and isotonic drinks; and personal care products such as gels and creams.
   Bjarne Darré from GEA Skanderborg said that the range homogenises and mixes a product in one operation and has the ability to liquify whole fruit, including fibres that are hard to homogenise, into juices.
   "Products such as pineapple, for example, that have a high fibre content, can be mixed and homogenised using the Mixing Formula products. This is not something that conventional systems can handle," added Mr Darré.
   The range extends from lab-sized machines of just ten litres up to full production equipment handling up to 15,000 litres in a single batch at viscosities up to 50,000 Cp. Alternatively the system can be used in a continuous process that will handle up to 40,000 litres per hr at lower viscosities. 
  "We are looking at developing this continuous processing option even further in the future," said Mr Darré.
  | 18:46 19/10/2011

SUGAR _________________________________________________________

Improving flowability
Germany. Sugar's major role in food as well as in the processing of food products has meant a tripling of sugar production over the past 50 years. However processing the product can be difficult because of the tendency for molecules to absorb moisture.
   Evonik's AEROSIL® fumed silica and SIPERNAT® precipitated silica is designed to prevent this by absorbing the water film on the sugar, breaking any liquid bridges and preventing attraction between particles. The result is iimproved flowability and a reduction in dust.
   Evonik says that fructose, glucose, lactose, different types of sucrose (eg icing sugar or brown sugar) and even sugar substitutes and nearly all types of carbohydrates can benefit from the treatment. The materials also help to prevent caking during storage and ensure the flowability of powdered food products like spices, fruit powders or salt, importantly without any changes to taste.
  | 09:02 11/10/2011

BUSINESS ______________________________________________________

Freeman moves to new HQ
UK. Freeman Technology has relocated to new larger premises in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.
   Continuing global success of its powder characterisation business has initiated the 6,000 sq ft HQ which is fitted out to meet the company's need for more manufacturing and office space with a 300 sq ft applications laboratory. 
  The move comes just over a decade after the company launched its first powder testing instrument. Director of Operations Tim Freeman said: "I am delighted to be able to report that demand for the FT4 Powder Rheometer continues to grow around the world and across powder processing industries. As a result, not only are we building more systems, but are continuing to invest in R&D and applications development."
   The facility enables manufacturing and R&D operations to be scaled up and allow for future expansion. The new laboratory provides the opportunity for additional in-house research into powder behaviour and processing and allows more extensive applications support for customers. 
  During 2011 the company added to its UK-based team and expanded its global distribution network, with new partnerships covering Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan.
• Freeman Technology Ltd can be contacted at: 1 Miller Court, Severn Drive, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN, UK Tel:+44 (0)1684 851 551 Fax: +44 (0)1684 851 552
   | 08:45 28/09/2011

BUSINESS _____________________________________________________

Assets acquired in Canada
Canada. FLSmidth is to acquire the assets of Knelson, a Canadian-based corporate partnership active in the minerals sector.
   The company is engaged in development, manufacture and installation of equipment for recovering precious metals such as gold, platinum and silver, as well as enhanced gravity separation of base metals and industrial minerals. More than 3000 installations in over 70 countries illustrate the company's worldwide spread, with a customer base comprising all major gold, platinum and silver mining companies.
   Knelson is also a world leader in gravity concentration technology for global mining and minerals processing industries. It holds a number of patents that have helped it achieve a leading market position in gravity separation of gold from mined ore. Activities are mainly handled out of headquarters in Langley, British Columbia.
   The purchase includes Knelson's polyurethane company Progressive Urethane Manufacturers Inc, a valuable addition to FLSmidth's wear parts supply chain, and Knelson's fine grinding product business, Knelson Milling Solutions. 
   A letter of intent has also been entered into to purchase the assets of Knelson's Russian operations.
  | 13:37 26/09/2011

MASTERBATCH _________________________________________________

Integrated production facility
China. Cabot Corp has hosted an opening ceremony for its new Tianjin masterbatch plant.
   Cabot announced the beginning of construction in February 2011 with plans to invest around $20m for the black masterbatch plant inside its Tianjin facility, a joint venture with Shanghai Coking and Chemical Corp, subsidiary of Shanghai Huayi Group Co Ltd.
   Production volume is approximately 45,000t with the potential to expand capacity to 80,000t. Part of the world's largest rubber and speciality carbon black facility, this state-of-the-art plant includes the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality masterbatches.
   "This world scale plant is a milestone for Cabot because it is the first fully integrated black masterbatch production plant with our carbon black production facilities," said Patrick Prevost, Cabot president and CEO. The new plant will support the growth of customers in the Asia Pacific region.
  | 08:22 22/09/2011

PROCESS CONTROL ____________________________________________

Online analysis of slurries
UK. A new publication co-authored by experts from Malvern Instruments and specialist mineral processing technology provider Outotec, examines how minerals processing can be made more efficient and cost-effective by continuously monitoring particle size using online laser diffraction analysis.
   Milling to achieve an optimal particle size is a delicate balancing act - over-milling producing excessively fine particles increases energy consumption and accelerates equipment wear, whereas too coarse a particle size may result in valuable material going to waste as tailings.
   Traditionally, processors have relied on offline, manual particle sizing to monitor the process. However, the intermittent nature of manual sampling and data generation, possible operator bias, and the time required to feedback information are limiting factors for process control. This has generated considerable interest in automated online measurement.
   The authors of Analyzing slurry size on line explore how fully automated online particle size analysis can increase throughput, support the stable production of more optimally sized particles, reduce plant downtime, lower costs and improve process efficiency. Also examined is the suitability of laser diffraction for minerals applications and how it can be tailored to analyse typical concentrated slurries found in industry.
• View the publication at: http://www.malvern.com/mining
  |   11:28 06/09/2011

EVENTS ______________________________________________________

Powder and bulk conference
UK. SHAPA's Powder & Bulk Solids Industry Conference takes place on 18 October 2011 unveiling the latest industry trends and techniques for businesses handling or processing bulk powders or granular materials.
  The keynote address by Pamela Wright of the Bank of England covers the financial position and outlook for the economy, followed by Tim Jelley of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) who outlines export market opportunities and the help available from the organisation. An address by Simon Bates of Harvey Ingram LLP will highlight legal liabilities and risk minimisation techniques. 
  Delegates can then choose between two streams of focused presentations detailing the latest thinking on a wide range of subjects including energy saving, optimal fan selection, technology trends in conveying and improving product quality through better handling. Other topics include effective dust control, how to apply the Noise Regulations and there is also an overview of the minerals industry. 
  Structured discussion groups will enable delegates to pass on their ideas and experiences on specific topics. SHAPA members will also be on hand to illustrate their company's capabilities with table top displays. 
  Delegates will receive presentation packages for all the sessions, including the streamed presentations they don't attend - so nothing will be missed. The one-day event takes place at the Imago Holywell Park Conference Centre at Loughborough University, close to the M1 and benefiting from extensive free on-site parking.
• Details: Tel +44 (0) 116 2713704 email info@shapa.co.uk
www.shapa.co.uk
  | 18:10 23/08/2011

BUSINESS ______________________________________________________

Acquisition of explosion protection business
UK. DEKRA, the international expert organisation, is acquiring Chilworth Global, the explosion protection and process safety service company based in Southampton.
   With around 160 employees, Chilworth has annual sales of around €15m and specialises in safety solutions for the process industry. This will make DEKRA one of the leading international providers in this area.
   Chilworth has test laboratories in the UK, US and branch offices in India and Europe (France, Italy and Spain). The range of services includes material testing, consulting and training services for the process industries with a current emphasis on the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industry sectors.
   Chilworth Global will be assigned to DEKRA's product testing and certification service line and will work in co-operation with laboratories of the DEKRA Certification Group in Arnhem, Netherlands, and DEKRA EXAM in Bochum, Germany, where DEKRA's explosion protection activities are based.
   Stefan Kölbl, Chairman of the Board of DEKRA eV and DEKRA SE said: "The pairing of Chilworth Global and DEKRA is a decisive step in DEKRA's strategy to expand the industrial business with high-quality expert services in the process industries on a global scale". He added that the company is expanding its position in the UK and the important Indian and North America markets and establishing a further strategic platform for the development of markets in Asia and the American continent.
   The greater synergy that results will help the company to position itself as a full service provider for process safety for multinational companies, in both process plant construction and operations. The company will be headed by Bert Zoetbrood, CEO of the DEKRA Certification Group as well as Chilworth's co-founder and CEO Dr Paul Cartwright.
| 21:30 21/08/2011

SEMINAR _______________________________________________________

Event for India
India. Bulk solids handling: technology and development for the 21st century is a two-day seminar organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and taking place at Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Chennai, India on 22 - 23 November 2011.
   The purpose of the event is to gain a comprehensive insight into leading edge technologies for handling bulk materials such as mined ores, stone and coal. Delegates will also enhance their knowledge of industry best practice and regulatory requirements to help stay ahead in a competitive market. 
  Day one presents rail unloading, storage and reclaim, ship loading and unloading whilst day two covers belt conveying, plant layout and control and operation.
   It is aimed at helping delegates evaluate the latest design methods and technologies, understand how reliability reduces equipment complexity and maintenance requirements, and examine how system layout can improve 'constructability'.
   The event will be of interest to: plant managers and operators; design engineers and consultants; mining and process feasibility specialists and consultants; project managers; procurement specialists; infrastructure and logistics specialists; and, importantly, young engineers. 
  Delegates are expected to be drawn from: construction; mining; Indian resource management organisations; materials handling specialists; bulk shipping; and power plant infrastructure. 
  There are also sponsorship and exhibition opportunities.
• Contact: Taz Khatun Tel: +44 (0)20 7973 1306
email: t_khatun@imeche.org
   | 08:52 21/07/2011

RESEARCH _____________________________________________________

FT4 Powder Rheometer at RCPE

Crucial platform for powder modelling studies
UK. Researchers at the RCPE (Research Centre Pharmaceutical Engineering) in Graz, Austria, are finding the reproducibility of Freeman Technology's FT4 Powder Rheometer to be crucial in modelling powder behaviours. 
  The RCPE's work is in pharmaceutical process and product development. It is a focal point for rational and science-based development of novel pharmaceutical drug products, as well as manufacturing processes.
   The FT4 is used in a number of areas, including the development of models that support powder blending optimisation. Here, success has been achieved with models that allow the successful correlation of powder blend characteristics with the properties of the constituents.
   Dr Simon Fraser, Deputy Director of the RCPE, said: "Reproducibility was a major factor in our choice of powder testing instrument for this work. The FT4 delivers extremely high reproducibility, greater than that achievable with alternative techniques and instruments, giving us the cleanest possible data sets for modelling. Added to that we have enjoyed highly knowledgeable support from Freeman Technology who have engaged with and encouraged this research from the outset."
   Using a Design of Experiments (DoE) approach and multivariate data analysis (MVDA), the research team has developed reliable models for the prediction of a number of different blend properties. 
  NIR spectroscopy has been used to monitor the efficiency of blending in further trials conducted to link offline tests on constituents and well defined powder blends with the actual industrial powder blending process. More experiments are also planned.
   The FT4 is said to provide precise and highly reproducible dynamic, shear and bulk powder measurement. Automated well-defined measurement protocols include a conditioning step, prior to analysis to provide stable baselines for measurement.
www.rcpe.at
www.freemantech.co.uk
| 10:56 18/07/2011

GYPSUM ______________________________________________________

Sale of gypsum operations
France. Lafarge has announced its intention to sell its European and South American gypsum operations for €1bn.
   The Group has announced that it has entered into negotiations with Etex Group for the sale under which Lafarge would receive cash proceeds of around €850m and a 20 per cent interest in the new partnership. The arrangement would combine the European and South American Gypsum activities of both Groups.
   The Lafarge division manufactures gypsum wallboard and other gypsum-based products. The deal specifies that Lafarge would be able to sell its 20 per cent interest to Etex after 5 years.
  | 08:46 15/07/2011

EXHIBITION ______________________________________________________

Upcoming show and forum 
UK. The PPMA Show is back at the NEC in Birmingham on the 27 - 29 September 2011. The definitive processing and packaging machinery event is of interest to anyone involved in maintaining, purchasing or financing machinery.
   New for this year is The Manufacturing Forum, an exciting seminar programme which runs in parallel with the show. The aim is to address current industry challenges and opportunities and give delegates the chance to learn from the latest case studies and success stories, as well as gaining an insight to help improve current processes and overcome everyday manufacturing obstacles.
   Importantly, all sessions for the Forum are free to attend with your PPMA Show visitor badge.
www.ppmashow.co.uk
| 10:45 12/07/2011

PLASTICS ______________________________________________________

Press photo BASF

Compounding capacity expansion
Germany. BASF is increasing compounding capacities for Ultramid and Ultradur engineering plastics at its Schwarzheide site. 
  The 10,000 t per year increase is a first step in planned capacity increases as a result of the sharp rise in European demand. BASF has already announced that it will double its compounding capacities for engineering plastics in China and Korea.
   “Engineering plastics in Europe came out of the economic crisis more quickly than we and our customers had expected back in early 2010. In comparison to the crisis year of 2009, demand rose by more than 30 percent in 2010. For 2011 as well, we are counting on double-digit growth. Consequently, the consumption will already have returned to the pre-crisis level in 2011,” explained Dr. Willy Hoven-Nievelstein, head of BASF’s Engineering Plastics Europe business unit. 
  “We are anticipating an average annual growth of more than five percent, which is why we are going to considerably expand our compounding capacities for engineering plastics in Europe in the coming years.” he added.
   |   09:15 16/06/2011

TITANIUM DIOXIDE ________________________________________________

   |   13:57 06/06/2011

TESTING _______________________________________________________

New software for tester
UK. A new version of software for Freeman Technology’s FT4 Powder Rheometer is announced. It has a redesigned graphical user interface to provide a clearer look and improve the display of real-time test information.
   It has the flexibility to deliver systematic guidance to new users, while giving experienced operators the ability to develop and run bespoke methodologies. Available on all new instruments, the new software is offered as a free upgrade to existing FT4 users.
   The interface gives access to the shear, bulk, dynamic and axial powder testing capabilities of the FT4, allowing users to build a comprehensive behavioural profile of a powder by drawing in results from each of the test methodologies.
   The FT4 Powder Rheometer is a universal powder tester that uses patented dynamic methodology, automated shear cells and several bulk property tests, including density, compressibility and permeability to quantify powder properties in terms of flow and processability. Correlating this data with processing performance enables users to optimise powder processes.
www.freemantech.co.uk
   |   08:34 09/05/2011

CARBON BLACK ________________________________________________

Business sold
Germany. Evonik Industries has signed an agreement with Rhône Capital LLC to sell its carbon black business, which achieved sales of some €1.2bn in 2010. The transaction, valued at more than €900m, allows Evonik to concentrate on its core chemical businesses.
   Evonik Carbon Black, considered to be number three in the global market, has 16 production facilities in eleven countries. The business is being acquired as a whole with 1,650 employees, 500 of whom are based in Germany and follows an Evonik board decision last September to exit the carbon black business entirely.
   |   19:36 18/04/2011

CARBON BLACK ________________________________________________

Logistics contract for carbon black
Germany. Transport and logistics company HOYER GmbH has obtained a comprehensive on-site logistics contract from Evonik Carbon Black GmbH, a manufacturer of carbon black in Kalscheuren near Cologne.
   HOYER will perform a range of logistic services using its own qualified employees including: filling silo vehicles and special containers with carbon black; in-company shuttle transportation between different production sites and storage facilities; placement in and removal from storage; and loading big bags and sacks onto pallets.
   The activities are complex, utilising a SAP system for dispatch and handling of incoming and outgoing goods and include the organisation of customs clearance. Potential annual volume at the Kalscheuren site will total about 140,000t - 35 per cent attributable to loading silos and special containers, 35 per cent to big bags and 30 per cent to sacks.
   The Evonik contract is strategically important to HOYER because the carbon black project is an onsite logistics programme in the context of a multi-year restructuring plan. Since 1998 HOYER has been entrusted with dispatch and transport operations for neighbouring regions at Evonik’s Worms site.
   |   13:47 31/03/2011

SEMINAR _______________________________________________________

Call for papers
UK. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has extended the call for papers for its seminar, entitled Bulk Solids Handling: Technology and Development for the 21st Century, to 15 April 2011. The event takes place on 22 - 23 November 2011 at Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Chennai, India.
   The aim of the two-day event is to provide delegates with a clear understanding of the leading edge technology used to handle bulk materials such as mined ores, stone and coal, presenting an insight into the latest equipment and best practices used within the minerals handling industry.
   Areas to be covered include: wagon loading and unloading; port equipment (ship loading and unloading); storage and yard equipment (stacking and reclaiming); conveying and transportation; crushing, screening and washing; civil design and construction; control and monitoring; and operating and maintenance.
   The event is expected to attract design engineers and consultants, project managers, procurement specialists, infrastructure specialists and young engineers from industry sectors such as construction, mining, Indian resource management organisations, materials handling, bulk shipping and power.
• Contact: Taz Khatun, Events executive Tel: +44 (0) 20 7973 1306 email: t_khatun@imeche.org
   |   11:59 31/03/2011

CARBON BLACK _________________________________________________

Global expansion planned
USA. Leading carbon black producer Cabot Corp is to invest more than $180m between now and 2013 to expand manufacturing capacity in some of the fastest growing regions of the world, including China, Indonesia, Brazil and Argentina, as well as adding capacity at three facilities in Europe.
   The expansions will increase Cabot's annual global carbon black output by about 15 per cent, or more than 300,000t. "We are making investments in support of Cabot's long-term strategy to grow in emerging markets," said Patrick Prevost, Cabot president and CEO. 
  "We already have a strong presence in many of the fastest growing regions in the world. These investments will further accelerate our growth," he added.
    In China, Cabot has already announced its entry into a joint venture with Risun Chemicals Co Ltd to construct a state-of-the-art carbon black facility in Xingtai - a facility that will expand Cabot's capacity in China by approximately 25 per cent and with the potential for future expansion.
   "Globally, the need for carbon black is increasing," said Prevost. "Mobility and transportation of goods is growing dramatically in developing countries around the world. As a result, the global demand for tires is expected to increase by 5 to 10 percent annually over the coming ten years in these developing countries.”
   |   19:32 16/03/2011

FERTILISER _____________________________________________________

Jim Prokopanko, Mosaic’s Chief Executive

Move in fertiliser market
USA. Cargill is in the process of selling its 64 percent stake in the Mosaic Company , a global provider of crop nutrients and feed ingredients for the agriculture industry. The transaction is subject to certain conditions.
   Mosaic, a leading producer and marketer of concentrated phosphate and potash, engages in every aspect of crop nutrition development, from the mining of resources to production of crop nutrients, feed and industrial products for customers.
   Speaking from the recent Reuters Global Food and Agriculture Summit , Mosaic’s Chief Executive Jim Prokopanko said that Cargill's exit is likely to happen by May, assuming regulators and shareholders approve the deal.
   |   11:55 16/03/2011

CARBON BLACK _________________________________________________

Agreement for carbon black
China. Cabot (China) Ltd, subsidiary of Cabot Corp, has entered into a joint venture with Risun Chemicals Co Ltd, subsidiary of Risun Coal Chemicals Group Ltd. 
  Under the agreement, Cabot owns a 60 per cent interest in the new joint venture. Cabot and Risun will invest around $100m to construct a state-of-the-art carbon black manufacturing facility in Xingtai City, located about 250 miles south of Beijing. 
  "This investment builds on our strong position in China, where demand for carbon black continues to grow”, said Patrick Prevost, Cabot president and CEO.
   Once commissioned in early 2013, the facility will produce approximately 130,000t of carbon black annually with the potential for expansion to 300,000t and will employ advanced emissions control technology and energy recapture.
   |   13:18 15/03/2011

MASTERBATCH _________________________________________________

Fully integrated production
China. Cabot Corp has begun construction of a new black masterbatch plant at its Tianjin facility located in Tianjin Economic Development Area. Around $20m will be invested in the 45,000-t facility with future expansion to 80,000t.
   Part of the world's largest rubber and speciality carbon black facility, the state-of-the-art plant will include the latest environmental and manufacturing technologies to ensure production of high-quality masterbatches. Cabot is a leading manufacturer of black masterbatches and operates facilities in Europe (Belgium and Italy), Asia (Hong Kong) and the Middle East (Dubai).
   Sean Keohane, vice president and general manager of Cabot's Performance Segment said, "Demand for masterbatch in China and the broader Asia Pacific region is growing rapidly. Having a local manufacturing facility producing high quality products to serve our customers will be a significant competitive advantage for us.”
   |   08:34 04/03/2011

CHEMICALS ___________________________________________________

EU chemicals production up
Belgium. According to Brussels-based CEFIC's (European Chemical Industry Council) latest Chemicals Trends Report, EU chemicals production pushed further upwards in December.
   CEFIC’s Chief Economist Moncef Hadhri commented: “The EU chemicals sector has enjoyed a strong 2010, but the industry remains about 5.6 per cent below pre-crisis levels. The data indicates that the EU chemicals sector recovery will continue in 2011 at a slower pace, with some differences between countries and chemicals sub-sectors.”
   Describing the situation as ‘out of the abyss’, CEFIC says that the December 2010 EU production index was 18.1 per cent higher than the bottom level reached in December 2008 and 3.9 per cent higher than December 2009. Production was up 10.1 per cent for the full year 2010 compared to the previous year, due to export driven growth and increased orders from other EU manufacturing sectors.
   The EU external trade surplus for chemicals improved during the first eleven months of 2010 by 9.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2009 - the sector generating an extra EU trade surplus of nearly €42.9bn in the period from January to November 2010, up €3.8bn compared with the same period in 2009. 
   Speciality chemicals mainly contributed to the additional surplus. External demand from non-EU Europe, Latin America, and emerging Asia primarily drove the EU trade surplus spike during the first eleven months of 2010.
   |   19:32 03/03/2011

BUSINESS ______________________________________________________

Cautionary welcome to improvements
UK. The CBI says that improving demand for UK made goods, especially from abroad, has boosted UK manufacturers’ expectations for output growth, but manufacturers continue to predict a sharp rise in output prices.
   In responding to the latest CBI Industrial Trends Survey, 28 per cent of manufacturers said that export orders were above normal, and 17 per cent said they were below. Total order books strengthened in February, with 23 per cent of firms reporting they were above normal, and 30 per cent below.
   Inflationary pressures remain intense for UK manufacturers in the February survey, reflecting strong cost pressures from rises in oil and other commodity prices.
   CBI Chief Economic Adviser, Ian McCafferty, said: “The outlook for UK manufacturing output growth is very encouraging”. However, he echoed a note of caution as there is still evidence of strong inflationary pressures in the pipeline, with manufacturers once again expecting to raise prices sharply in the coming quarter.
• The February 2011 CBI Industrial Trends Survey was conducted between 24 January and 10 February with 492 manufacturing firms replying.
   |   18:43 19/02/2011

BUSINESS ______________________________________________________

On the move
UK. Primasonics® International Limited has started 2011 with continued expansion both in the UK and Internationally and relocation to a new office, workshop and warehouse premises. The move is part of an ongoing strategy of expanding its international agent network and developing a new, innovative, ‘green’ product range.
  The company is a global leader in acoustic cleaning technologies for dry processes in industries such as petrochemicals, cement, carbon black and power generation. Acoustic cleaning's use of sound waves prevents particulate build up and aids material material flow in cases where ash, dust, powders or granules are processed, generated, stored or transported.
  A wide range of styles, mounting arrangements and installation options are offered in 316 grade stainless steel as standard with ultra high temperature steels also available. Units are spun to achieve a true exponential bell shaped horn section to ensure that true fundamental frequencies are achieved.
  Primasonics® personnel are available to make site visits to provide a practical presentation on acoustic cleaner theory and application and carry out site surveys for detailed technical reports and recommendations.
  Primasonics International Ltd is now located at: North Lakes Business Park, Flusco, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0JG, UK Tel: +44 (0) 17684 80372 Fax: +44 (0) 17684 80374 email: sound@primasonics.com
www.primasonics.com
   |   11:36 18/02/2011

INTERPHEX _____________________________________________________

K-Tron feeding/conveying assembly

Latest feeding and conveying systems
USA. K-Tron will exhibit its latest sanitary feeding and pneumatic conveying equipment and systems at the Interphex exhibition with a number of working demos.
   A KT20 is displayed running with a K-Tron Premier P10 receiver. The KT20 twin-screw pharmaceutical feeder offers gravimetric feeding of free flowing to difficult flowing powders. Interchangeable feed screws tailor the design to suit the particular application with all contact parts in stainless steel and easily disassembled. 
  The demo also features K-Tron Premier's sanitary P10 receiver - a custom solution for difficult conveying situations. Applications for the P-Series include tablet conveying, loss-in-weight feeder refill, as well as tablet press and blender loading.
   The pharmaceutical ActiFlow™ smart bulk solids flow aid is a non-contact device used in loss-in-weight feeding applications and consisting of a patent-pending vibratory drive and intelligent control unit. 
  Designed to work with K-Tron's pharmaceutical line of gravimetric loss-in-weight feeders, the unit is mounted outside the product contact area, reducing cleaning. Units work in conjunction with K-Tron's patented Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weigh scales. Advanced filtering algorithms screen out vibrations, ensuring an accurate weight signal even with ActiFlow running.
   K-Tron’s Quick-Clean Hygienic Aerolock™ (QCH) rotary valve is for sanitary pharmaceutical metering applications requiring frequent cleaning and ease of operation. There is a highly polished surface on both the interior and exterior of the unit, with all product surfaces FDA approved. 
  Constructed from a solid piece of DIN 1.4404 (AISI 316L) stainless steel, it can be easily disassembled, cleaned and reassembled and all models conform to ATEX 94/9 EC. 
  The MT12 micro-ingredient feeder is available in both pharmaceutical and standard models, for accurately feeding powders at rates between 20 and 2000 grm per hr. Both loss-in-weight (KCL-SFS-MT12) and volumetric (KCV-MT12) feeder models are offered for continuous or batch operation, with a loss-in-weight model on display. Easy disassembly is a feature.
   K-Tron has enhanced its KT20 twin screw pharmaceutical feeder, engineering special designs which integrate into glove box applications. 
  K-Tron Premier P-Series receivers offer a sanitary solution to difficult material conveying applications. Features include steep cone angles to ensure discharge and band clamps for quick disassembly. Conveying principles include vacuum, dilute phase and dense phase. On display is a running P10 and P30 in a mirror finish.
www.ktron.com/interphex
   |   12:27 10/02/2011

INTERPHEX _____________________________________________________

FT4 Powder Rheometer

New interface on display
UK. Freeman Technology's new graphical user interface (GUI) for its FT4 Powder Rheometer will be on show at the forthcoming Interphex exhibition in New York.
   Designed to be flexible and intuitive, with an enhanced real-time data display, the GUI enables all FT4 users, whether new or experienced, to fully exploit its multi-functionality. New software is supplied with all new instruments and offered as a free upgrade to existing FT4 users.
   The FT4’s strength lies in its ability to combine shear, bulk, dynamic and axial powder testing methodologies for comprehensive powder characterisation. Users unfamiliar with the system can utilise the GUI to provide step-by-step guidance on sample preparation and testing, whereas experienced operators have complete flexibility to create, manage and run user-specific protocols.
   'Characterisation' mode directs the user towards a combination of tests that provide a complete profile of a powder's behaviour while 'Application' modes offer test methods that support a particular process or unit operation.
www.freemantech.co.uk
   |   20:43 23/01/2011

PERSONNEL ____________________________________________________

Robert M Barnett and Richard J Poole

Sales and marketing changes
Switzerland. To support its continued growth as a turnkey systems based supplier of bulk material handling equipment, K-Tron Process Group has announced a change in its sales management structure.
   Robert M Barnett assumes the position of Vice President of Global Marketing with immediate effect after holding various sales and marketing positions within K-Tron group, both in America and Great Britain. Bringing 40 years of experience at K-Tron, he will formulate and lead marketing activities as the group expands its global systems presence.
   Richard J Poole has been promoted to the position of Vice President of Global Sales previously held by Mr. Barnett jointly with Global Marketing. Mr Poole has over 20 years of experience with the company, including various sales and marketing positions within K-Tron group in Great Britain, America, Germany and Switzerland. He will concentrate on strengthening and coordinating K-Tron’s global sales network.
   The changes reflect the need to increase and strengthen sales and marketing activities to maintain strong growth as a systems specialist. Mr Barnett and Mr Poole will report directly to Kevin Bowen, K-Tron Process Group President.
   K-Tron is a global leader in the gravimetric feeder market and a single-source supplier for feeding, pneumatic conveying and turnkey systems engineering solutions.
www.ktronprocessgroup.com
   |   21:25 23/01/2011

PERSONNEL ____________________________________________________

Jamie Storey, MD of Whitehouse Scientific

Promotion to MD
UK. Whitehouse Scientific, leading producer of glass microspheres for calibration, has started the year with the promotion of Jamie Storey to MD. 
  Mr Storey has worked at the company for around 10 years and in his new role assumes management responsibility for the company while founder Dr Graham Rideal continues as CEO. Director Lauren Prince leads the company’s sales and marketing activities.
   Mr Storey had been involved in managing the company over recent years, as well as running the lab and overseeing production. The promotion will allow Dr Rideal, who is recognised internationally as an expert in the calibration field, to focus on scientific affairs, concentrate on the company’s scientific and product development, participate in industry conferences whilst providing input to international standards committees. It will also enable him to fulfil an increasing number of speaking engagements.
   |   16:48 19/01/2011

BUSINESS _____________________________________________________

Operations acquired
Switzerland. Holcim, together with an unnamed partner, has acquired eight aggregate pits and quarries and four ready mix concrete plants in Alsace (France) and four ready mix concrete plants in the Basle area (Switzerland) from Lafarge.
   Considered to be a strategically attractive acquisition, it will allow Holcim (Schweiz) AG and Holcim (France) s.a.s to service customers better in these markets. The acquisition also secures high quality aggregate reserves in an economically attractive area.
   Crucially, some of the gravel pits are located on the Rhine, allowing Holcim to supply sand and gravel by ship not only to Switzerland and South Germany but also to Luxembourg and the Netherlands.
   |   11:33 05/01/2011

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