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Composites Horizons expands with ceramic operations facility to support GE Aviation partnership

Composites Horizons, LLC, a division of AIP Aerospace, announced the creation of a Ceramic Matrix Composite facility adjacent to its existing Polymer Matrix Composite facilities in Covina, CA. The 35,000 square foot building will be dedicated to the manufacturing of sophisticated oxide ceramic matrix composites (OX/OX CMC’s). Composite Horizons also announced that they have been selected by GE Aviation as a supplier of components for an OX/OX CMC exhaust system for a key business aircraft engine program.

Low per capita ceramic consumption in Indonesia provides opportunities

The Indonesian ceramic industry is expected to continue its steady growth in 2014. Chairman of the Indonesian Ceramic Industry Association (ASAKI) Elisa Sinaga says that ceramic sales may reach IDR 36 trillion (USD $3.1 billion) in 2014. Most of these sales—approximately 87 percent—are sold on the domestic market, while the remainder is exported. The sales volume of sanitary ceramics (used on walls and floors) is targeted at 410 million m2 this year (worth roughly IDR 27 trillion), up from 360 million m2 in 2013 (IDR 24 trillion).

Saint-Gobain and Central Glass Co. to open Jakarta automotive glass plant

Saint-Gobain and Central Glass Co. Ltd. plan to build an automotive glass plant in Jakarta, Indonesia, due to go into production in 2016. This investment will enable both groups to take an active part in the fast-growing Indonesian auto market, company officials wrote in a company statement. Saint-Gobain and Central Glass have worked together in automotive glass since 2002 in Japan and since 2012 in China.

Kuraray acquires DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions

Japanese chemical manufacturer Kuraray announced it acquired DuPont Glass Laminating Solutions/Vinyls, a segment of DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers. The $543-million acquisition allows Kuraray to expand its technical and operational strength in the areas of technology, R&D, manufacturing and sales network. According to the company, the purchase also offers Kuraray an integrated supply chain, presence in six new markets worldwide and increased availability of resources through DuPont’s strong market penetration.

Ferro Corp. to sell majority of assets in its Specialty Plastics business to A. Schulman Inc. for $91M 

Ferro Corp. of Mayfield Heights (Ohio) has agreed to sell the majority of the assets in its Specialty Plastics business to A. Schulman Inc. of Fairlawn for $91 million in cash, the company announced in a recent press release. The announcement comes almost a year after A. Schulman dropped its plans to buy Ferro. A. Schulman says it expects the purchase to give the company “important geographic diversification benefits.” The assets, which include plastic compounds, colorants and liquid coatings, had about $154 million in sales in 2013, the company said, with about two-thirds of those in the US.

Kolstads give $1M to Montana Tech

Two 1985 Montana Tech alumni, Gary and Janet Kolstad, have gifted $1 million to Montana Tech University. Gary Kolstad is CEO of CARBO Ceramics Inc., a global oilfield services technology company providing industry leading production enhancement products and services to increase the recovery factor in oil and natural gas wells. The proceeds from the Gary and Janet Kolstad Endowment will benefit the Petroleum Engineering Department and scholarships for petroleum engineering students.

RAK Ceramics in talks for acquisition in Morbi

United Arab Emirates-based Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Ceramics, the world largest tiles producer, is considering buying a tile manufacturer in Morbi. The acquisition is pegged at Rs 100 crore. According to sources, RAK Ceramics, which had initially planned a joint venture with a local ceramic company, now may look for a buyout. Morbi is India’s largest ceramic tiles manufacturing hub, located 250 km from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. India is the second largest ceramic producer after China.

Asahi India Glass stops production at float glass manufacturing unit

Asahi India Glass announced that the company has stopped production of float glass at its Taloja Plant owing to age and expiry of useful/operating life of the furnace. The company is also taking necessary steps towards closure of the float glass manufacturing unit at the Taloja Plant.

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