29 Apr 2010
Clariant improves profitability and cash flow
• Sales up 16% in local currencies and 13% in CHF on the back of improved demand
• Operating income before exceptional items rose to CHF 183 million compared to CHF –13 million a year ago on higher capacity utilization and lower costs
• Operating income margin before exceptional items reached 10.1%
• Cash flow from operations reached CHF 159 million after CHF 156 million in the first quarter 2009
• Outlook: For the full-year, Clariant expects sales in local currencies to increase in the mid single-digit range and an operating margin before exceptional items above the 2008 level of 6.6%. Cash flow from operations will remain strong.
27 Apr 2010
SABIC Innovative Plastics Helps Fiber Optic Industry Make the Connection with Wavelength-Specific Ultem* Resin for Tough One-Piece Connectors
BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands – April 27, 2010 – To solve the challenges in creating complex, multi-part connectors, SABIC Innovative Plastics has developed specialized grades of its workhorse Ultem* resin to drive forward the development of highly cost-effective, one-piece molded connector designs. At Chinaplas 2010, booth W2G41, the company is showcasing these unique materials, which can be precisely tailored to specific wavelengths and offer attenuation control, extreme high heat resistance and dimensional stability for accurate fiber alignment. This innovative new solution is intended to reduce connector costs by up to 20 percent, accelerate fiber installation and provide exceptionally long service life. SABIC Innovative Plastics’ continued investment in new fiber-optic-tailored technologies will help customers in this high-tech industry extend their reach across multiple strategic geographies worldwide.
27 Apr 2010
STANYL FORTII USED IN MEMORY CARD CONNECTORS FOR PRINTERS
Taisol Electronics, the second largest Taiwanese memory card manufacturer with branch offices in China, Singapore, Japan, USA and worldwide distribution, has commercialized halogen-free V-0 Stanyl® ForTii™ for its 5-in-1 memory card socket, readily usable for Memory StickTM, SD CardTM, MMCTM, Smart MediaTM, and xD-Picture CardTM. These 5-in-1 memory card connectors are already used in printers produced by one of the leading top two OEMs. Such memory card connectors are a central interface in today’s Electronics. Applications include Notebooks, Desktop PCs, Card readers, LCD Projectors, Monitors, etc.
22 Apr 2010
Clariant supports Expo 2010 in Shanghai with sponsorship of Swiss Pavilion
Muttenz, April 22, 2010 - Clariant, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is supporting the Swiss Pavilion at Expo 2010 Shanghai as a silver sponsor. The Expo will be held from 1 May to 31 October 2010 in Shanghai with the theme of “Better City, Better Life”.
22 Apr 2010
DSM ENGINEERING PLASTICS ANNOUNCES PRICE INCREASES ON ARNITEL AND ARNITE
As a result of continued escalations in the costs of key raw materials, DSM Engineering Plastics will increase prices on a global basis for its ARNITEL® and ARNITE® products. Effective 1 May 2010, DSM will increase prices for these products by at least 10% on a global basis.
21 Apr 2010
SABIC Innovative Plastics Turns Auto Steering Wheels in a New Direction with Lexan* EXL Resin’s Light Weight, Performance and Design Freedom
BERGEN OP ZOOM, The Netherlands — April 21, 2010 — SABIC Innovative Plastics is putting a new spin on the traditional steering wheel with an injection-molded design featuring its Lexan* EXL copolymer resin. At Chinaplas 2010, in booth W2G41, the company is showcasing the benefits of weight out, high performance, manufacturing ease, styling freedom, and parts integration provided by this innovative new steering wheel concept. Importantly, Lexan EXL resin avoids key environmental drawbacks of existing steering wheels, whose materials can be difficult to recycle and involve potentially hazardous waste products from casting and processing. The company’s investment in new technologies provides automotive industry customers with advanced materials solutions for the most demanding applications.
19 Apr 2010
Almost 40% of Companies Check Social Media Profiles of Potential Employees – Eurocom Worldwide Survey
Two out of five (nearly 40%) of technology companies check out potential employees’ profiles on social media sites such Facebook or LinkedIn, according to a survey by Eurocom Worldwide, the Global PR Network. The survey was conducted by Eurocom Worldwide and its member agencies around the world.
19 Apr 2010
Rhodia contributes to waste reduction in the electronics industry with its new range of bio-based Polyamide, Technyl® eXten
Lyon, France – April 19, 2010 – Technyl® eXten, unveiled to the public on the occasion of the Chinaplas trade show currently underway in Shanghai, is already helping Rocket Electric Co. Ltd. – one of the world’s five largest manufacturers of battery cells – increase the service life of its AA and AAA ranges of alkaline batteries by up to 50%.
