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After 13 years, starchy potatoes approved

Today the European Commission approved Amflora, BASF’s genetically-optimized starch potato, for commercial application in Europe. The potato can now be used for the production of industrial starch. “After waiting for more than 13 years, we are delighted that the European…

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Outotec to deliver copper plant for Codelco in Chile

Outotec Oyj (Espoo, Finland; www.outotec.com) has signed a contract with Codelco for the design and delivery of a copper-concentrate-roasting plant, gas-cleaning system and sulfuric-acid plant for Codelco’s new Mina Ministro Hales mine near Calama, Northern Chile. The contract price is…

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Merck KGaA to acquire Millipore

Merck KGaA (Darmstadt, Germany; www.merck.de) Millipore Corp.; Billerica, Mass.; www.millipore.com) have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Merck KGaA will acquire all outstanding shares of common stock of Millipore, for $107 per share in cash, or…

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Evonik acquires catalyst business from H.C. Starck

On February 26, 2010 Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) acquired the catalyst business of H.C. Starck GmbH (Goslar, Germany). The know-how and technology relating to the production and use of Amperkat catalysts have therefore been transferred to Evonik. Following…

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Evonik developing the world’s largest Li-ceramic battery

Evonik Industries AG (Essen, Germany; www.evonik.com) and its partners are developing the world's largest lithium ceramic battery. This has been made possible by CERIO technology, a special combination of ceramic materials and high-molecular ionic conductors, which ensures greatly increased safety combined…

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Study highlights sustainable footprint of chemical companies

Global chemical companies could release at least €1 billion in cash flow if they increase their sustainability performance. The claim has been made following an international study which assessed the sustainability performance of nine global chemical companies in monetary terms.…

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Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS to exclusively manufacture and market Lonza microreactors

Ehrfeld Mikrotechnik BTS (EMB; Wendelsheim; www.ehrfeld.com), a Bayer Technology Services company (BTS; Leverkusen, both Germany; www.bayertechnology.com), and Lonza (Basel, Switzerland; www.lonza.com) signed a worldwide manufacturing and distribution license agreement together with a cooperation and development agreement on the Lonza microreactor…

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KBR to provide licensing of its Purifer Ammonia technology

KBR (Houston; www.kbr.com) has been awarded a contract by Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Limited (MFCL) — a Matix Group Co. owned by Kanoria family in India — to provide licensing and engineering services for MFCL’s grassroots 2,200 metric tons per day…

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Kobe Steel opens large compressor-test facility

Kobe Steel, Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan; www.kobelco.com) announces that its new large-capacity compressor test facility has begun operations at the company’s Takasago Works in Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan. Test facilities are essential to confirm the mechanical stability and design performance…

ABB system upgrade leads to improvements at Brazil plants

ABB (Baden, Switzerland; www.abb.com) has announced that two Votorantim Cimentos (Votorantim, Brazil; www.votorantim.com.br) sites in Brazil have realized benefits as a result of upgrading to ABB's Expert Optimizer automation technology solution. A maker of concrete, mortar and cement, Vototrantim completed the upgrade…