Orton offers short course on introduction to refractrories
In response to industry demand, Orton has scheduled its “Introduction to Refractories” course for October 19, 20, and 21, 2015 in Columbus, Ohio. Other courses will be offered in additional locations as well. The objectives of this course are to introduce the participants to the material fundamentals of all classes of refractories, their basic formulation, their applications, and some of their degradation and failure processes.
Pentagon funding new high-tech venture
Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced that the Pentagon is funding a new venture to develop cutting-edge electronics and sensors that can flex and stretch and could be built into clothing or the skins of ships and aircraft. The high-tech investment could lead to wearable health monitors or thin, bendable sensors that could be tucked into cracks or crevices on weapons, ships, or bridges where bulky wiring could never fit. The sensors could telegraph structural problems or trigger repair alerts.
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope acquires C.R. Laurence
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope has acquired C.R. Laurence Co. Inc., a distributor of custom hardware and glazing products to the glass and glazing industry. The purchase was made for a total consideration of $1.3 billion, which includes deferred consideration at a net present cost of $86 million, payable over five years. The business will be acquired debt free, and completion of the purchase is anticipated for early September 2015.
Thermcraft revamps website for easier and faster purchasing
Thermcraft Inc. had added e-commerce capabilities to its website, together with the release of the company’s first standard size laboratory furnace eXPRESS-LINE, to allow customers to finish their selection and purchasing cycle without the need to talk to a sales representative. Thermcraft has been in the laboratory furnace industry for more than 40 years and has earned global recognition as the #1 manufacturer of custom furnaces in the world.
Ceramic coatings market report forecasts $10B global market by 2020
The global ceramic coatings market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.50% from 2015 to 2020 to reach a value of $10.12 billion. The transportation and automotive industry is one of the major factors responsible for this growth. A large number of new product launches and expansions in the last five years point towards strong growth of this market in the near future.
Bayer MaterialScience is now officially Covestro
One of the world’s leading polymer materials suppliers has a new identity. From September 1, 2015 Bayer MaterialScience is operating under the Covestro name. The company is now legally and economically independent, but will remain a 100 percent subsidiary of Bayer AG. Bayer wants to float Covestro on the stock market by mid-2016 at the latest in order to concentrate exclusively on the life sciences businesses.