BASF received approval for MDI project in China

(BASF) -- BASF, the world's leading chemical company, has received approval for a 400,000 metric tons per year MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) project in Chongqing, China. The investment will total RMB 8 billion (approximately EUR 860 mln). The facility, which will produce a core component mainly used for polyurethane foams, is expected to start up by 2014.


The project was approved by Chinese authorities, following a stringent examination of environmental, health and safety standards, two rounds of local public consultation and several expert reviews. This state-of-the-art facility will consist of an MDI plant, a nitrobenzene plant and an aniline plant, and will cover 40 hectares. It will form the center of an integrated chemical production complex operated by the Chongqing (Changshou) Chemical Industry Park.


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Bayer included in major sustainability indices

(Bayer) -- Bayer continues to be listed in the two major sustainability indices FTSE4Good and ASPI. This is the outcome of the reviews conducted by both index providers of the sustainability performance of major companies. The indices aid decision-making by institutional investors who place importance on social and ecological criteria as well as economic aspects.


The FTSE4Good index series is managed by the Financial Times and the London Stock Exchange. To be listed, companies must meet considerable demands in terms of environmental and climate protection, employee rights, anti-corruption practices, supplier management and sustainability reporting. The evaluation is made by the London-based rating agency Ethical Investment Research Services (EIRIS). Bayer has been continuously listed in the FTSE4Good index series since it was established in 2001.


Bayer has also been listed right from the beginning in the Advanced Sustainable Performance Indices (ASPI) Eurozone. This, too, was set up in 2001 and comprises 120 sustainability leaders from the Dow Jones Euro Stoxx index. Criteria for inclusion in the ASPI include sustainable corporate governance, responsible relations with customers and suppliers, safety, health protection and social commitment. The French rating agency Vigeo and the index specialist Stoxx Limited are responsible for analyzing the respective companies' sustainability performance.


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Compound used in Chinese medicine prevents biofilm formation on polystyrene surfaces

(ScienceDaily) -- A compound that is an active ingredient in plants commonly used in Chinese medicine prevents biofilm formation on polystyrene and polycarbonate surfaces by Staphylococcus aureus. The research suggests that this compound, 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (PGG) is highly promising for clinical use in preventing biofilm formation by S. aureus. The paper is published in the March 2011 issue of the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.


S. aureus commonly forms biofilms on medical implants, causing pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, and bloodstream and urinary tract infections. Biofilms, which are far tougher than bacteria not incorporated into biofilms, are resistant to antibiotics even when the individual bacteria composing the biofilm lack antibiotic resistance genes. Once biofilms become attached to the surfaces of medical devices, they are extremely difficult to expunge.


PGG is an active ingredient in plants that are commonly used in Chinese medicine to treat inflammation. It was one of 48 compounds purified form medicinal plants that the researchers screened for efficacy in inhibiting S. aureus biofilm formation. PGG was on sole compound from among them that did not kill the pathogens.


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European thermoplastic composites are projected to grow

(Marketwire) -- Attributes of light weight and performance are pushing the use of composites in public transportation. Due to safety issues and rising gasoline prices, public transportation including buses, trains and trams are being used extensively. This is having a positive ripple effect on the uptake of composites. While the resins used in public transportation have different properties, strength and resistance to heat and chemicals are the major factors underpinning their appeal.


According to Frost & Sullivan Strategic Analysis of the Composite Resins Market in Public Transportation, European thermoset plastic composites for public transportation earned revenues of EUR 70.72 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach EUR 114.94 million in 2017. European thermoplastic composites are projected to grow from EUR 3.46 million to EUR 5.71 million over the same period. The following products are covered in this research: unsaturated polyester resins, Epoxy resins, phenolic resins, polyurethane resins, polyamide resins and polypropylene resins.


The general economic revival is set to be accompanied by the growth of the composite industry. Composites offer a weight reduction of around 30 to 40 per cent compared to materials such as steel. As a result, steel is rapidly being substituted by composites.


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NOVA Chemicals signed agreement with a subsidiary of Williams for ethylene supply

(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NOVA Chemicals Corporation signed a long-term agreement with a subsidiary of Williams for a feedstock supply of an ethane/ethylene mix to be extracted from off-gas produced at oil sands upgrading facilities located at Fort McMurray and Redwater, Alberta.


Under the terms of the agreement, Williams will produce, for NOVA Chemicals, up to 17.000 barrels per day (bpd) of an ethane/ethylene mix which will be transported via the Joffre Feedstock Pipeline to NOVA Chemicals' Joffre, Alberta petrochemical facilities. This feedstock source will enhance and diversify NOVA Chemicals' feedstock supplies beyond traditional sources derived from Alberta-based natural gas exports.


NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.


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