Clariant with promising start to the year

Clariant“Clariant had a promising start to the year with good volume growth and an increase in operating profitability,” said CEO Hariolf Kottmann. “Overall, our businesses performed well in an improving but still mixed economic environment. The picture has been somewhat clouded by unfavorable currency developments, a mild winter in Europe, and an impairment charge related to the divestment of the ASK Chemicals joint venture. However, after the first three months, Clariant is well on course to meet its full-year targets.”

Belden Takes Complexity Out of Managed Switches for Industrial Networks

Belden introduces GECKO 4TX managed switches for fast and easy deployment and lower operating costs. 
(Photo: Belden, PR338) St. Louis, Missouri - April 29, 2014 - Belden Inc., a global leader in signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, has extended its comprehensive range of industrial Ethernet products by introducing the GECKO 4TX switch. This switch creates a new product category by combining the advantages of fully-managed switches with the benefits of fast and simple deployment.

Belden Protects Critical Industrial Infrastructure with Advanced Cyber Security Toolkit

Belden protects critical industrial infrastructure with advanced cyber security toolkit. (Photo: Belden, PR331) St. Louis, Missouri - April 22, 2014 - Belden Inc., a global leader in signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, has released the Tofino Enforcer Software Development Kit (SDK), a toolkit that allows third parties to create next generation cyber security solutions using the company's patented Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology. Tofino Enforcer modules developed with the SDK protect difficult-to-secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and industrial control system (ICS) protocols and improve the overall reliability and safety of industrial systems.

AVERY DENNISON EXPANDS SELECT SOLUTIONS™ OFFERING WITH TAG STOCK PORTFOLIO

The Avery Dennison Select Solutions™ Tag Stock portfolio features bright white, pressure sensitive tag constructions suited for apparel and bedding, cosmetics, point-of-purchase and other applications that require sturdy, removable labels. (Photo: Avery Dennison, ADPR237)MENTOR, Ohio, April 24, 2014 — Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials has introduced its Select Solutions™ Tag Stock portfolio, featuring bright white, pressure sensitive tag constructions suited for apparel and bedding, cosmetics, point-of-purchase and other applications that require sturdy, removable labels. The Tag Stock portfolio delivers flexible and easy converting and dispensing, working well using screen, offset and solvent- or water-based flexo printing.

NEW AVERY DENNISON SELECT SOLUTIONS™ PIGGYBACK PORTFOLIO DELIVERS SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

The Avery Dennison Select Solutions™ Piggyback portfolio features multi-layer constructions in which a removable self-adhesive label covers a second label that remains fixed to the original surface. (Photo: Avery Dennison, PR236)MENTOR, Ohio, April 24, 2014 — Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials continued its Select Solutions™ rollout with the introduction of the Piggyback portfolio. This unique portfolio features multi-layer constructions in which a removable self-adhesive label covers a second label that remains fixed to the original surface. The label-on-label construction can be used for promotion, inventory management and work-in-process applications resulting in faster handling and lower cost compared to other label-on-label processes.

ARCHROMA ANNOUNCES PRICE INCREASES FOR TEXTILE DYES

ArchromaReinach, 24 April 2014 – Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals, today announced further major price increases on a wide range of its dyes for the textile industry. The main driver for the increases is the growing pressure from increased environmental controls in the production of important raw material and dye intermediate chemicals in Asia, especially in China. This is leading to shortages and steep price increases for such chemicals in the leading producing markets in Asia, impacting through the whole dyes value chain worldwide. Examples of the most impacted intermediate chemicals include H acid, bromaminic acid and anthraquinone derivatives. Most dyestuff types have been impacted by the current raw material market situation, including the most widely used in textile manufacturing such as reactive and direct dyes for cellulosic fibers, as well as disperse, acid and metal complex dyes for synthetics and wool fibers.

Songwon Industrial Group acquires the Specialty Chemicals Division of SeQuent Scientific Limited

SONGWONSongwon Industrial Group, Korea and SeQuent Scientific Limited, India - April 24, 2014 - Songwon Industrial Group and SeQuent Scientific Limited have signed an agreement whereby Songwon will acquire SeQuent's specialty chemicals business. The acquisition includes SeQuent's entire polymer stabilizer business and one production site in Panoli, Gujarat, together with the local R&D team. The parties expect the transaction to be closed in Q3, 2014, subject to few customary closing conditions.

Milliken Invests to Meet Global Demand for Millad® NX™ 8000 Clarifier

Food storage containers made with Polypropylene that is clarified with Milliken’s Advanced Millad® NX™ 8000 Additive Technology. 
(Photos Milliken, MKPR110, Copyright© 2014 Milliken & Company, all rights reserved)Ghent, Belgium - Milliken & Company today unveiled plans for a major capacity expansion of its Millad® NX™ 8000 clarifying agent for polypropylene (PP) at its Allen facility in Blacksburg, S.C. The company will double its production and add an additional redundant manufacturing line to ensure ample global supply of the product. This is Milliken’s most significant capital investment in its Millad clarifier business to date, underscoring the company’s continued leadership position in clarifier technology. The expansion is scheduled for completion in 2015.