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Kyocera recognized for excellence by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems for second consecutive year

Kyocera America, Inc. was recognized by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) for Supplier Excellence in 2012, representing the company’s second consecutive 3-Star Supplier Excellence award. This honor acknowledges Kyocera’s performance in overall quality, on-time delivery, customer satisfaction, and total business and financial health. The Supplier Excellence selection process is undertaken annually by SAS to determine those most exceptional suppliers who display consistent support for Raytheon’s critical Mission Assurance. Evaluation of supplier performance includes objective data as well as input from the Raytheon buyers and Material Program managers who deal with the suppliers regularly. The winning suppliers in 2012 represented less than one percent of Raytheon SAS’ supply base.

PPG features innovative technology and products at JEC Europe 2013

PPG Industries’ fiber glass business is featuring industry-standard products, updates on glass operations and composition research, and information on technology currently in development during JEC Europe 2013 in Paris, March 12-14. The company is featuring its Chopvantage HP 3610 chopped fiber glass, an industry standard for hydrolysis-resistant polyamides in long-life coolant systems, is the first to have all of its ingredients approved for the positive list of the Commission Regulation (EU) 10/2011. PPG is is also displaying its The portfolio of Innofiber specialty glass composition fibers that have been updated. Finally, the company will be presenting information information on recent upgrades and reinvestment in technology and equipment for the constructions of L.E.X. and Texo texturized yarns have enabled PPG to continue offering these products to customers worldwide.

AGC invests in Triton Microtechnologies’ via-fill technology

Asahi Glass Co. has made an investment totaling $2.1 million in Triton Microtechnologies Inc., which owns cutting-edge via-fill technology for interposer substrate, to enable next-generation semiconductor packaging products using ultra-thin glass. By combining its unique technologies on ultra-thin glass and micro-hole drilling process with Triton Microtechnologies’ via-fill technology, AGC will contribute to the acceleration of next-generation semiconductor packaging development using glass. Next-generation high density semiconductor packaging is a promising solution for smaller and higher-function mobile devices, and the key to this advancement is interposer technologies that interconnect the Si chip and the printed circuit board. AGC has developed carrier glass technology that enables its customers to handle ultrathin glass at their sites and micro-hole drilling technology to manufacture ultrathin glass interposers. For the commercialization of ultrathin glass interposers, the via-fill technology has been needed and this investment will help AGC to put its innovative product into practical use. Triton Microtechnologies owns a proprietary via-hole filling technology for micro-holes with a high aspect ratio. This technology uses a copper paste to fill holes, which allows a highly productive and efficient continuous processing. By using a copper paste with the same coefficient of thermal expansion as glass, this method can also help increase the quality of electrodes.

Bosch announces SOFC field tests for home CHP to start in 2014

Bosch Thermotechnology is pushing ahead the market launch of future-proof energy systems. This fuel cell-based system facilitates the decentralised generation of power and heat for new and modernised one and two-family homes. It is based on a ceramic solid oxide fuel cell, operating at high temperatures of 700°C. This results in an electrical efficiency of 45 percent. As a member of the ene.field project, Bosch Thermotechnology will install some 70 of these power-generating heating systems for demonstration purposes in Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France starting 2014 in order to pave the way for the market launch. Aisin Seiki supplies the power-generating module, based on the appliance already launched in Japan. Bosch Thermotechnology integrates it into an overall system in accordance with the respective requirements of the individual European heating technology markets. The ene.field project is the largest European demonstration programme for fuel cell-based solutions facilitating the decentralised generation of power and heat for residential buildings. Industrial companies, research partners and utilities cooperate in the project to promote these micro-CHP plants.

Orbite presenting at three upcoming conferences on alumina extraction technology

Orbite Aluminae Inc. is pleased to announce its participation in the Miami Bauxite & Alumina, Hong Kong Mines and Money, and Roth Capital conferences. On Feb 4, 2013, Orbite announced it signed an exclusive worldwide collaborative agreement with Veolia for the remediation of red mud using the Orbite proprietary processes. Veolia is the largest environmental solutions company in the world. Specific milestones were established within the agreement for the construction of a first red mud remediation plant expected to begin in 2014. These milestones include selecting the site, determining the optimal operating capacity, and concluding negotiations on the ownership and funding structure. Veolia will be the operator of the plant and intends to construct red mud remediation plants worldwide. Red mud is the caustic waste by-product of smelter-grade alumina production from bauxite ores using the industry standard Bayer process.  To date there has been no commercially viable remediation technology, resulting in the disposal of red mud using vast stockpiles, or in some cases even using ocean-disposal, thus creating a long-term liability for alumina producers. There is currently an estimated 3 billion tons of red mud held in stockpiles worldwide. With over 100 million new tons produced each year by the industry, at this rate red mud stockpiles are expected to reach 4 billion tons by the end of the decade. The Orbite proprietary processes, which generate no wastes or tailings, are the only commercially viable and eco-friendly technology for remediating red mud.

FMI valveless, ceramic pumps ideal for industrial robot gearbox lubrication

Valveless, ceramic pumps from Fluid Metering Inc. provide the solution for metering high viscosity grease at low pressure for precision lubrication of industrial robot gearboxes. To maximize productivity and eliminate downtime, industrial robots require continual lubrication. The PDS-100 Programmable Dispensing System utilizes FMI’s unique valveless pumping design to accurately deliver gearbox lubricating grease, independent of viscosity. More importantly, it accomplishes this at pressures low enough to prevent any seal damage to the gearbox. The pump is available in both single- and dual-channel configurations and is easily integrated with industrial process controllers. Dispense and metering rates range from a few microliters per dispense up to 768 ml per minute continuous metering. FMI’s valveless, ceramic pumps have only one moving part in contact with the fluid. The sapphire-hard internal components and valveless design of FMI pumps eliminate accuracy drift typical of pumping systems that rely on valves, diaphragms, peristaltic tubing, and pressurized feed lines for fluid delivery.

Morgan Technical Ceramics offers Air In Line sensors for medical equipment fluid applications

Morgan Technical Ceramics announces its range of piezo ceramic Air In Line (AIL) sensors, ideal for use in medical equipment, including infusion pumps, enteral feeding pumps, and dialysis equipment. The sensors are available as either a standard or custom-manufactured model to suit specific OEM needs, the AIL sensor can be adapted to suit tube diameter, tube holding and clamping method, additional sensing features, mounting arrangement, or interface with a disposable cassette. MTC’s standard AIL sensor includes a bubble detector for a 4-5 millimeter tube, designed to minimize the footprint with a short flexi circuit for easy connection via a standard zero insertion force connector. The sensor can be mounted in any orientation and is designed to be dry-coupled to PVC or silicone tubing. AIL sensors can be customized to meet specific OEM requirements for housing geometry, color, mounting arrangement, electrical terminations, tube diameter, adaptation to specific tubing, and any special functional features. The sensors are available in a variety of forms, from bare-tuned piezo ceramic discs or plates, to a fully functional packaged sensor.

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Clad to meet you: MesoCoat’s metal cladding plant in Euclid is first step in growth plan

Andrew Sherman’s pipe dream is one step closer to becoming a reality. MesoCoat Inc. is almost finished setting up a $6.3 million plant intended to show the oil and gas industry there’s a faster, cheaper way to protect pipes from corrosion. The 11,000-square-foot Euclid, Ohio, plant should be up and running by mid-February, which will allow MesoCoat to start testing its metal cladding process on 40-foot-long pieces of pipe, says Sherman, MesoCoat’s CEO. So far, the company has tested the process only on 6-foot pieces at its research center in Eastlake. By midyear, MesoCoat plans to start selling that pipe. The company then wants to start building larger plants in other countries, Sherman says. The need for MesoCoat’s technology is too big to take it slow, he says. The company says its CermaClad process, which uses a plasma arc lamp to bond protective coatings onto pipes, is 40 times faster and 20% cheaper than other methods of cladding metal. The speed of the process could prove to be a big selling point: Today, oil and gas companies ordering cladded pipe often must do so six years in advance, Sherman says, adding MesoCoat aims to reduce that wait time to “a matter of months. The opportunity is just incredible right now.”

The global advanced wound care market predicted to be worth $16.3B by 2023

A new report by Visiongain, a London-based business information provider predicts the global advanced wound care market to be worth $16.3 billion by 2023. The market generated $6.5 billion in 2011, according to Advanced Wound Care: World Market Prospects 2013-2023. Clinicians and patients now prefer advanced products over the traditional ones, as they are more efficient in wound healing and reducing hospital stays. In the recent years, advanced wound care products have enjoyed strong growth mainly driven by moist wound care products and to a small extent by wound care devices and biologics. Most of the research is now being focused on wound care devices and biologics, as the moist wound care market is saturated. Wound care devices, particularly negative wound pressure therapy, have a strong place in the advanced wound care market. However, further growth in this market will be driven by low cost and easy to use models. At present, wound care biologics is the most immature market. Although, some of the biologic products have proven to be more effective than other treatment methodologies, the cost to the consumer and lack of clinical evidence are major issues. With the advanced wound care market becoming more and more competitive, the market will be driven by more cost effective and clinically significant products. Also, Visiongain’s research suggests that the advanced wound care market will also benefit from the growth of emerging economies.

Visitors from 110 countries at Tecnargilla 2012

Tecnargilla 2012 was attended by 14,822 international visitors (+1.6%) from 110 countries worldwide. The top ten countries of origin of visitors were: Spain (8.2% of total international visitors), China (7.5%), Iran (7.3%), Turkey (6.8%), Russia (5.4%), Brazil (4.9%), India (4.6%), Germany (4.1%), Poland (3.4%) and Egypt (3.2%). These were followed by Thailand (2.9%), Mexico (2.5%), France (2.2%), USA (2.1%), Indonesia (2.0%), Argentina (1.8%), Algeria (1.7%), Ukraine (1.4%), Bulgaria (1.3%), and Saudi Arabia (1.3%). The best represented continents were Asia and the Middle East, which together accounted for 34% of visitors, the European Union (27%), non-EU Europe (16%), South America (9%), Africa (8%), and North America (5%). The next Tecnargilla will be held in Rimini in September 2014.

PPG touts coatings, fiberglass and silica innovations at international auto show

PPG Industries is bringing innovation to the automotive industry, and the company’s product and technology offerings across several of its businesses help automakers and automotive suppliers enhance manufacturing efficiencies, make vehicles more corrosion-resistant, reduce energy consumption and improve fuel efficiency. These were some of the key topics discussed at a news conference held during the North American International Auto Show. Discussing the fiberglass business, PPG’s Tom Kerr outlined the evolution of composites in the auto industry and PPG’s response that has enabled designers to create auto components for overall cost and weight savings and fuel efficiency. “PPG combined proprietary chemistries for the surface coating of glass fibers and innovations in fiberglass composition to create fiberglass products that achieve optimal balances of mechanical and thermal property solutions,” he says. Finally, PPG’s Kevin Braun reviewed the latest generation of HI-SIL(R) silicas that enable tire manufacturers to simultaneously reduce rolling resistance for improved fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, increase traction for improved safety and handling, and increase treadwear for longer tire life.

New centrifugal fan range engineered for engineers available in the US market

A new range of centrifugal fans with forward curved impeller blades, designed to simplify specification across multiple projects and promote prompt order fulfillment, has been introduced by UK-based Air Control Industries Ltd., a leading British designer and manufacturer of industrial air movement products, and is now available in the US market via its subsidiary ACI Inc. of Maine. Based upon a common configuration for all unit sizes, it is the first in a series of product lines to be based upon the company’s new Homogeneous modular design concept. Designated “HFN” (Homogeneous Fan NEMA), the fan range conforms to a standard scalable configuration. This permits engineers to become rapidly familiar with the fans, their space envelope demands and their application capabilities. In addition, the fans cover a wide performance range with small increments between range models to ensure a more accurate fulfillment of the required duty specification.

Nanovea offers white paper on surface boundary measurement using 3D profilometery

In studies where the interface of surface features, patterns, shapes etc., are being evaluated for orientation, it will be useful to quickly identify areas of interest over the entire profile of measurement. By segmenting a surface into significant areas the user can quickly evaluate boundaries, peaks, pits, areas, volumes and many others to understand their functional role in the entire surface profile under study. For example, like that of a grain boundary imaging of metals, the importance of analysis is the interface of many structures and their overall orientation. By understanding each area of interest defects and or abnormalities within the overall area can be identified. Although grain boundary imaging is typically studied at a range surpassing profilometer capability, and is only 2D image analysis, it is a helpful reference to illustrate the concept of what will be shown here on a larger scale along with 3D surface measurement advantages.

Tokyo Gas and Panasonic launch smaller, more efficient and cheaper Ene-Farm residential fuel cell

Tokyo Gas Co. and Panasonic Corp. have announced the latest iteration of their Ene-Farm home fuel cell, which will be on sale starting April 2013. The new model will be on sale for less than ¥2 million ($22,600, including tax, but excluding installation), which is around ¥760,000 ($8,620). This is less than the price for its current model and the first time the recommended retail price of an Ene-Farm model has dipped below ¥2 million. Improvements in the unit include a reduction in overall size, which will facilitate installation in smaller houses. This has been achieved through the use of fewer components, and the separation of the backup heat source, which is now located outside the hot water unit. Overall there is a size reduction from a depth of 900mm down to 750mm, and the separation of the backup heat source allows for more flexibility during installation. The overall efficiency of the new Ene-Farm unit has increased by 5 percent to 95 percent (based on the lower heating value of hydrogen); this was achieved by increasing the efficiency of waste heat recovery during electricity generation.

Crystex Composites LLC announces ‘green’ achievement

Crystex Composites LLC, the OEM of Mykroy/Mycalex glass bonded mica ceramic and Mycalex insulators announced today that its production facility is now “green.” Working in conjunction with the United States EPA, the New Jersey DEP and its clients, the Engineering Team at Crystex Composites developed a fourth RoHS compliant molding grade of its Mykroy/Mycalex glass bonded mica ceramic composite MM601. The newest grade provides the Crystex team with the ability to fulfill the 2012 promise of President and CEO George Flores to completely eliminate lead from all materials and processes at the production facility in Clifton, NJ.

Lafarge announces the creation of a joint venture with Elementia to combine their cement assets in Mexico

Lafarge announces it has reached an agreement with Elementia to combine their cement assets in Mexico. Lafarge will bring its two plants of Vito and Tula for a total capacity close to 1 million tons, while Elementia will contribute the new 1 million ton plant it is currently building in central Mexico. This combination will significantly strengthen Lafarge’s position in Mexico. The transaction, which involves no cash and is subject to regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the second half of 2013, pursuant to the start up of the new plant of Elementia. The new joint venture formed will be 47 percent held by Lafarge and 53 percent by Elementia, which will consolidate the JV’s financial results fully. The JV will therefore be incorporated by Lafarge as an equity affiliate.

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PPG fiber glass joint venture starts fourth furnace in Kunshan, China

PPG Industries announced that PFG Fiber Glass (Kunshan) Co.—its joint venture in Kunshan, China, with Nan Ya Plastics Corp.—started a fourth furnace. With 38,000 metric tons of annual capacity, the additional furnace will serve the expanding Asian electronics industries. “This furnace features innovative, state-of-the-art technology,” says Terry Fry, PPG general manager of global electronics and the company’s regional fiber glass business. “The technological advancements of its manufacturing operation enable us to maximize process efficiency while saving energy and reducing emissions.” C.F. Lee, general manager of PFG Fiber Glass (Kunshan) Co., says, “The printed circuit board industry continues to grow in Asia. Nan Ya built a vertically integrated production campus in Kunshan that included resin, copper foil, glass fabrics, copper-clad laminates and printed circuit boards. With this expansion, we will continue to support the demands of our business at this location as well as the larger electronics industry.” PFG Fiber Glass was founded in 2001 as an evenly-held joint venture of PPG Industries and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. With four furnaces, annual capacity of the operation in Kunshan is 144,000 metric tons of electronic-grade glass yarn and reinforcement-grade glass fiber. The companies also jointly own PFG Fiber Glass Corp. in Taiwan, which has three furnaces with approximate production capacity of 90,000 metric tons of mostly electronic-grade glass yarn.

Third-gen Solidoodle 3D printer pumps up the volume

(GizMag) Over the past couple of years, the number of consumer 3D printers hitting the market has multiplied like … well, like plastic chess pieces churned out by a 3D printer. For its latest unit, Solidoodle has upped the build area to 8 x 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 x 20 cm), which is two extra inches over the printable dimensions of the Solidoodle 2. This more than doubles the build volume from 216 in3 (3,540 cm3) for the Solidoodle 2 to 512 in3 (8,390 cm3) for the new Solidoodle 3. Apart from the size, the Solidoodle 3 is pretty much identical to the second generation Solidoodle. It uses 1.75 mm plastic filament and prints at a layer height of 0.3 mm as standard, with the ability to decrease the layer height to 0.1 mm for printing of high-resolution parts. Its heated build platform allows the creation of large objects without bottom warping and it accepts 3D files in STL format.

All new website for Fluid Metering Inc.

Fluid Metering Inc. of Syosset, N.Y. has rolled-out its new, expanded website. FMI is a major manufacturer of precision valveless dispensers and metering P]pumps for laboratory, process and production applications, as well as applications for OEM medical and analytical instrumentation. The new website includes detailed descriptions, animations and videos of FMI’s unique CeramPump valveless piston pump design. Also featured are an expanded list of news releases, typical applications, current catalogs and technical manuals, all available for easy download. Online tools, including “Select-a-Pump,” “ROI Payback Calculator,” and “Live Chat,” provide a simple, user-friendly experience for selecting the best pump for new applications. The web site also includes links to additional FMI information and video content hosted on popular social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), as well as a link to “Google Translate” for instant language translation of FMI’s entire web site. For over 50 years, FMI has provided precision metering solutions from 2 uL per dispense up to 4 L/min. continuous metering, and is certified as compliant with ISO 9001 quality standards.

Completion of concentrating solar power plants in India delayed

(Bloomberg Renewable Energy World) India, planning $1.4 billion of solar-thermal power stations, expects half of the projects to be delayed and some to be scrapped as US supplies stall and dust-clouds diffuse the radiation required to drive generation. Of the 500 megawatts of projects due to be completed in February and May, only a third of that capacity may be ready on time, said Tarun Kapoor, joint secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. Three of the 10 ventures are unlikely to be built, he said in an interview in New Delhi. The delays are a blow to General Electric Co., Siemens AG and Areva SA, which have acquired stakes in solar-thermal equipment makers since 2009 on the expectation the technology could compete with coal- and gas-fired power. Solar-thermal plants, which focus sunlight on liquids to produce steam and drive turbines, can store energy, allowing electricity to be delivered around the clock. Developers have delayed five plants, or 320 megawatts of capacity, because they’ve been unable to get heat-transfer fluid from the only two US suppliers, according to Kapoor, who said those suppliers are backed up with orders. Companies such as Lanco Infratech Ltd. have also reported high dust levels in the desert areas where many plants are built. The dust particles scatter the sun’s rays, reducing the direct solar radiation that can reach a plant’s receptors.

Demand for smart glass will surpass 3 million square meters annually by 2020

As building owners and managers seek ways to make their facilities more energy efficient, thereby lowering the costs of heating and cooling, the use of smart glass—which has properties that can be varied to suit changing ambient conditions and the needs of users and occupants—is expected to climb. Smart glass applications rely on four main technologies: liquid crystal, electrochromic, suspended particle, and thermochromic materials. According to a recent report from Pike Research, a part of Navigant’s Energy Practice, demand for smart glass, which will be 110,000 square meters in 2012, will reach nearly 3.1 million square meters in 2020. The annual value of the worldwide market will grow from $84 million today to nearly $700 million in 2020, the study concludes. “While significant barriers stand in the way of the broader adoption of smart glass—chief among them reliability and price—the market potential for smart glass is high,” says senior research analyst Eric Bloom. “As long-term performance is proven, prices decline, and substantial returns on investment are demonstrated, designers, engineers, and building managers will find expanding applications for these innovative materials.”

Nokia Siemens Networks, Ballard Power Systems develop fuel cell backup power for mobile networks

Nokia Siemens Networks is working with Ballard Power Systems Inc. to develop mobile networks that can continue to operate during power blackouts. Japanese operator NTT Docomo has evaluated the Nokia Siemens Networks Flexi Multiradio base station site offering with integrated fuel cell backup for potential commercial deployment. The solution has been installed at a Docomo R&D Center test site in Japan’s Yokosuka Research Park. “Mobile networks can be vital when a natural disaster strikes, and power outages make other forms of communication difficult,” says Mark Donaldson, head of energy solutions for mobile broadband networks at Nokia Siemens Networks. “Integrating fuel cells with our base stations can significantly increase the resilience of the mobile networks we provide.” Backup power solutions based on fuel cell technology deliver a number of advantages over conventional batteries and diesel generators. These include higher reliability across a wide range of operating conditions, lower maintenance costs, longer operating life as well as reduced size, weight, installation footprint, noise signature and environmental impact. The fuel cell weight and size are significantly less in comparison to existing lead acid batteries that are typically used in many base stations to provide backup power for extended outages. The base station and fuel cell combination developed by Nokia Siemens Networks with Ballard can provide 4.5 kW of power for approximately 40 hours on a single tank of fuel.

3M gets antitrust clearance to buy ceramics maker Ceradyne

3M announced that on Nov. 15, 2012, it received clearance from the Austrian Federal Competition Authority with respect to its previously announced tender offer for all issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Ceradyne Inc. at a price of $35.00 per share. The Federal Trade Commission previously granted early termination of the required waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, on Oct. 15, 2012, and 3M received clearance from the German Federal Cartel Office on Oct. 30, 2012. With the receipt of the above clearances, the condition of the offer with respect to clearance under applicable antitrust and competition laws has been completely satisfied. The offer remains subject to the satisfaction of certain other conditions. The offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 P.M. (New York City time) on Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, unless the offer is extended.

Rubicon selected as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Award Winner

Rubicon Technology Inc., a leading provider of sapphire substrates and products to the LED, RFIC, semiconductor and optical industries, announced today that it has been selected as a Deloitte Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2012. The Deloitte’s 2012 Technology Fast 500 is an annual ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. Deloitte Technology Fast 500 award winners for 2012 were determined based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2007 to 2011. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. As a vertically integrated supplier, Rubicon perfected the process to grow large sapphire crystals from raw materials in custom-built, proprietary furnaces replicating the organic sapphire creation process found in nature. As a result, Rubicon has been able to scale the growth of bulk crystal from 30 kg to 85 kg to 200 kg without compromising high quality or high yield. Rubicon’s intellectual property and innovations from raw materials and crystal growth through the wafer finishing process enable efficiencies that ultimately translate into savings for Rubicon customers. To date, Rubicon has shipped more than 340,000 six-inch polished wafers to the LED and SoS markets.

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Korean conglomerate LG buys 51% of Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems Inc.

(Crain’s Cleveland Business) Northeast Ohio’s most prominent fuel cell company has a new majority owner. Korean conglomerate LG has paid $45 million to acquire a 51% stake in Rolls-Royce Fuel Cell Systems (US) Inc. of North Canton. The company now is called LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc. The company plans to continue growing its local operations, said Mark Fleiner, who was CEO of the Rolls-Royce unit. He said he will serve as co-CEO with Chung In-jae, who is head of the company’s LG Electronics unit. Chung plans to move to Ohio, Mr. Fleiner said. The company is developing a solid oxide fuel cell system designed to provide megawatt-scale electricity for industrial and commercial customers as well as electric utilities. The fuel cells would run on natural gas. LG Fuel Cell Systems Inc will have access to Rolls-Royce technical expertise and continue to engage with the US Department of Energy’s Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance Program. The fuel cell company has helped anchor Northeast Ohio’s nascent fuel cell industry. The company today employs 45 people full time on the campus of Stark State Community College. The company’s presence is credited with helping attract a few other small fuel cell operations to the area and driving Stark State to develop some fuel cell-related education programs.

Company says analyst has published misleading stories on Abakan, MesoCoat Inc. and Powdermet Inc.

The CEO of Abakan Inc says there have been two articles on www.seekingalpha.com with misleading information and has issued a response to shed some light on the subject and address any concerns that may have arisen from the article. CEO Robert H. Miller says the author is very mistaken with the majority of his claims, which Miller says, have unfortunately affected stock performance. The company has issued a 30-point response to these stories.

Reproducible SOFC MEA testing: FuelCon’s full-ceramic cell housing allows easy testing of SOFC MEAs

With the development of the full-ceramic TrueXessory-HT, FuelCon responds to the demand of easy-to-handle test equipment that also ensures reproducible test setups. The use of ceramics as the sole material eliminates negative impact on cell performance, for example through chrome contamination, and together with the perfected sealing concept of the even-grinded ceramic surfaces, allow a simple test setup as well as the best fuel and oxygen supply. Doing so, optimum conditions for reproducible cell performance testing can be achieved. The nondestructive concept of cell integration allows the application of various post mortem analysis methods. The FuelCon cell housing is applicable for an active cell surface of 5×5 cm². By using special adapter frames differing cell thickness of ASC and ESC can be compensated individually so that every cell can exactly be positioned in the housing. Varying thickness of electrodes can be balanced by application of nickel or platinum nets.

Syracuse Glass teams up With Diamon-Fusion International to offer protective coatings on its glass products

Diamon-Fusion International Inc., global developer and exclusive licensor of patented hydrophobic nanotechnologies, has announced a new partnership with Syracuse Glass Co., a leading architectural glass and aluminum fabricator. The company offers a diversified and extensive product line and was recently named as a “Top Fabricator” among Glass Magazine’s Top Fabricator listing. The partnership enables Syracuse Glass to add value to its broad range of glass products for shower enclosures with the Diamon-Fusion nanotechnology coating, by enhancing long-term performance and customer satisfaction with its coating that chemically bonds to glass, making it more water repellant and easier to clean. Syracuse Glass has developed state-of-the-art facilities by investing in information technology, fabrication equipment and people to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers.

Jörg Krüger joins Orion Engineered Carbons

Orion Engineered Carbons announces that Jörg Krüger will join the company as senior vice president of global operations. He will lead the manufacturing, process technology, engineering, supply chain, energy management, procurement, environmental, safety, health, and quality functions for Orion worldwide. He will be based at Orion’s global headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Krüger has been general manager of global operations at Momentive Performance Materials Inc., a subsidiary of Momentive Performance Materials Holdings Inc., since May 2007. From 2002, Krüger was managing director and CEO of GE Bayer Silicones, which formed part of Momentive in 2006. Prior to that role, he served in a variety of engineering, procurement, and manufacturing roles at Bayer Corp. in the US and Bayer AG in Germany. He began his career at Bayer AG as a project engineer.

USCHPA says Senate efficiency measure could produce thousands of new jobs and CO2 reductions equal to removing millions of cars from the road

The US Clean Heat & Power Association says it applauds introduction of the “Expanding Industrial Energy and Water Efficiency Incentives Act” from Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) that will expand the investment tax credit for combined heat and power. The association calls on Senate leadership to advance the measure, which could spur investment in CHP that in the near term would produce CO₂ emissions equivalent to removing 2.4 million cars from the road and produce 17,000 highly skilled, well-paying jobs. USCHPA says the Bingaman-Snowe measure will expand the application of the CHP ITC to 25MW for any CHP investment that meets established system efficiency requirements and expand the definition of CHP specifically to include waste heat recovery (”bottoming-cycle CHP”) systems. A joint study by USCHPA and WADE USA found that this expansion would spur investment that could produce an additional 500MW of power from CHP—an annual energy savings of 107 trillion BTUs, and an annual reduction in CO₂ emissions of over 13 million metric tons.

Indian cement companies hit with $1.1B fine

(International Construction) The Competition Commission of India has announced fines of more than INR 6000 crore ($1.1 billion) on 11 cement manufacturers as well as the country’s Cement Manufacturers Association after exposing cartel activity in the sector. The companies involved are Holcim subsidiaries ACC and Ambuja Cements, Lafarge India, Ultratech Cements (part of Aditya Birla Group), Grasim Cements, which is now merged with Ultratech Cements, JK Cements, India Cements, Madras Cements, Century Cements, Binani Cements and Jaypee Cements. The CCI launched an investigation into the sector in 2010 after receiving information from the Builders Association of India. The authority said the cement companies had coordinated on the price and supply of cement in the Indian market in order to raise demand and prices—activities it claimed harmed both consumers and the Indian economy. Some of the companies have denied the allegations and said they would challenge the fine.

PPG announces new marketing initiative for fiber glass business

PPG Industries’ fiber glass business announced the implementation of a marketing initiative to heighten awareness of the brand by highlighting its unique position and more clearly defining the unmatched offerings it brings to the markets it serves. The initiative features a new tag line—”Expertise you trust. Solutions you demand.”—that positions PPG as a trusted provider of expertise and solutions to its fiber glass customers. “This updated tag line better articulates the mission of PPG Fiber Glass to all our customers,” said Tom Kerr, PPG vice president for fiber glass. “In developing this marketing program, we sought to communicate a stronger focus, brand image and value proposition to our customers and the industry, and this tag line clearly serves that objective.”

Tosoh SMD Introduces new molybdenum sputtering targets for thin-film solar applications

Tosoh SMD, a global leader in target technology has introduced molybdenum rotary and planar sputtering targets that deliver lower cost of ownership in thin film solar applications. These sputtering targets provide consistent predictable performance throughout the life of the target, ensuring customers a repeatable product for their photovoltaic processes. Tosoh Mo sputtering targets are produced from high purity powders and fabricated to ensure densities of 99% with uniform microstructure throughout the product. Pure molybdenum and molybdenum alloys are both available for specific customer requirements. Tosoh also provides lower cost of ownership by offering Xtreme long life target designs in both planar and rotary configurations. In addition, nondestructive testing methods ensure bond integrity for all bonded target assemblies.

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• Vidrala Group has announced that it has closed the first quarter of 2012 with a consolidated net profit of €10.6 million, up 16.6% compared to the same period the year before.

• Saint-Gobain expects to post weaker first-half results but remains on track to meet its 2012 targets.

• Vitro S.A.B. de C.V. announces that its subsidiary in Spain, Vitro Cristalglass, S.L. has started the process to filing for insolvency and requests the judicial declaration of Concurso, through the Commercial Courts of Madrid.

• Guardian Industries of US is interested in building a new float glass plant in the Kiev region, as announced by the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Poroshenko on May 5.

• PPG Industries’ fiber glass business announced that it is implementing a five percent price increase, as allowed by contract, across all products in the Americas and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The price increase will affect all fiber glass products, including chopped fibers, direct and multi-end rovings, mats and specialty yarns.

• Mubadala Development, owner of the world’s largest aluminium smelter, which is being built in Abu Dhabi, is studying the addition of an alumina refinery to the site that could transform the emirate into a global hub for aluminium production.

• Alcoa and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma’aden, have recorded a major safety milestone during construction of their aluminium smelter at Ras Al Khair, in Saudi Arabia: 25 million hours worked without a lost work day injury. Part of the fully integrated aluminium complex being developed jointly by Ma’aden and Alcoa, the 740,000 tons per year smelter is scheduled for completion in 2013.

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