UltraTemp is GreenCell’s core ceramic composite technology. Credit: GreenCell.

Here’s what we’re hearing (some info from news releases):

ASD and Sacmi: A new partnership focussing on quality

As part of modernisation plans for its production facility in Wenling City, in Zhejiang province, China, aimed at meeting the challenges of an ever-more global market, ASD has established a new partnership with Sacmi, a leading international provider of industrial production plants. This autumn will see Sacmi supply two automatic PHP3590 presses for the production of kitchen articles, with relative molds and destacking, control, lubrication, alignment and load/unload systems of aluminum alloy discs.

Saint-Gobain buys Solar Gard

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has acquired of all of the the businesses comprising the Bekaert Specialty Films activity of the Belgian Group Bekaert. These businesses, operating under the brand Solar Gard, are specialized in the development, manufacturing and distribution of window films for the architectural and automotive markets, custom coatings for a wide range of industrial applications, and photovoltaics.

Solutia acquisition of Southwall Technologies Inc. creates powerhouse of world-class innovation, technology and commercial films expertise

Solutia Inc., a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company, and Southwall Technologies Inc., a leading innovator of energy-saving films and glass products for automotive and architectural markets, announced that they have signed a definitive agreement providing for Solutia to acquire Southwall. “This acquisition positions Solutia as the world leader in advanced sputtering technology, combining the industry’s leading commercial expertise with next-generation innovation capabilities to provide advanced film solutions to the premium window film and electronics markets,” said Jeffry N. Quinn, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Solutia Inc. “Our growth strategy remains focused on enhancing our portfolio through synergistic bolt-on acquisitions that allow Solutia to better serve high-growth markets and support the success of our existing businesses.”

H.C. Starck Wins the “Judges’ Special Award” at the Best Factory Awards 2011 in London

H.C. Starck’s UK facility in Calne was honored to receive the “Judges’ Special Award” at the 20th Best Factory Awards 2011. In addition, plant was recognized for its achievements in factory health and safety. The Best Factory Awards are organized by the Cranfield School of Management, one of Europe’s leading university management schools, and Works Management magazine, and are held to honor British companies that demonstrated manufacturing excellence. H.C. Starck contributes its manufacturing success to the introduction of continuous improvement techniques, such as lean manufacturing initiatives, six sigma training, and other improvement techniques that focus on customer satisfaction, product quality, and on-time delivery. The Calne plant realized immediate benefits in waste reduction, productivity optimization, streamlined processes, improved efficiencies and cost reductions from the manufacturing changes.

GreenCell Inc. announces new hiring and continued expansion

GreenCell today announced the hiring of Jason Voellinger as a process engineer for the scale-up of the ceramic igniter and other component lines. Voellinger has 10-years experience in process engineering of advanced technical ceramics and is a graduate of Alfred University. His direct duties will be in developing the automation points for component manufacturing and integrating into the line. Dan Valladao, chair and CEO, states, “As we continue to work towards our first product distribution we anticipate continued expansion of the company which will help promote new jobs for the area.” GreenCell is engaged in a joint venture with SenCer Inc. to develop, commercialize and market SenCer’s UltraTemp ceramic composite materials for home and transportation applications.

Hydrogenics Chosen to Provide Energy Storage for Wind-Hydrogen Installation in Germany

Hydrogenics Corporation (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada) has been selected by the City of Herten, Germany to provide a wind-hydrogen energy storage solution. Hydrogenics will provide one HySTAT30 hydrogen generation unit and a HyPM 50 kW fuel cell power system, to the City of Herten in 2012. This combination will demonstrate the distinct advantage of hydrogen energy storage with its ability to be highly scalable and capable of storing significant amounts of energy for long periods of time with negligible loss. From storage, the energy will be redeployed through fuel cells as electricity to the grid, or be used to fuel zero carbon emission vehicles and other devices such as industrial equipment.

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