Sud-Chemie increases consolidated operating profit

(Sud-Chemie) -- In the case of profit from operations (EBIT), adjusted for non-recurring items, Sud-Chemie exceeded the Group target of EUR 100.5 mln previously forecast for 2010. Based on the consolidated financial statements for 2010, for which an auditors certificate has already been issued, the operating EBIT amounts to EUR 106.8 mln, following adjustment for non-recurring items.

Sud-Chemie is a publicly quoted specialty chemicals company headquartered in Munich, Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. The common denominator of all Sud-Chemie products and services is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for the chemical, petrochemical and refinery industries, for energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification.

MRC

(British Plastics Federation) -- The BPF (British Plastics Federation) coordinated Seven Association Alliance has written a hard-hitting letter to the Chancellor, George Osbourne, highlighting a myriad of issues currently placing the UK Manufacturing industry at an economic disadvantage and putting forward proposals to the Chancellor of the Exchequer ahead of the forthcoming Budget on 23rd March 2011.

According to industry, high taxation and burdensome regulations have placed the UK at a competitive disadvantage and created a barrier to inward investment. Results from surveys with member firms indicate that a majority of companies predict an increase in UK sales turnover this year. However the volume increase is about a third less due to the need for companies to pass through raw material prices increases.

The Alliance pointed out that another barrier to rapid industrial recovery and competiveness of the manufacturing industry is the high level of fuel duty; the UK has the highest diesel fuel duty in the EU and the price increase to 5p a litre in April would present another block on our competiveness. They strongly urged the Chancellor to cancel the April duty increase.

MRC

(Kabra) -- Kabra Extrusiontechnik Ltd (KET), part of the USD 120 mln Kolsite Group of Companies, is India's largest manufacturer and largest exporter of plastic extrusion equipments. KET is the leader in the production of pipe, profile & blown film machinery. KET commands about 40% market share in its product range in India and has over 8.000 installations in 65 countries worldwide.

S. V. Kabra, Chairman & Managing Director of Kabra Extrusiontechnik Ltd said, ⌠KET has taken a leap forward, being the first plastic machinery company from India to invest in an overseas plastic machinery company. GEC is a highly technology-focused company and has consistently ranked among the world's top five high-end extrusion machinery manufacturers for the packaging industry. KET, through its minority investment in GEC, will gain exposure to customers in the North American, European and other western world markets.

GEC, Gloucester Engineering Company, has been a global leader in the plastics extrusion and converting market. GEC offers a range of innovative systems, that provide customers a competitive edge in applications that include bag making, foam and sheet extrusion, blown and cast film extrusion, and extrusion coating.

MRC

(ArabianOilAndGas) -- The Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and the Saudi Industrial Property Authority (MODON) signed a three-way agreement with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in Riyadh aimed at developing industrialisation strategies for the Saudi cities of Al-Jouf, Tabuk, Hail, Jizan, Najran and Arar.

The agreement under which SABIC will be the sole sponsor was signed by Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC vice chairman and chief executive officer; Dr. Tawfig Alrabiah, director general of MODON and Thomas Bradtke, partner and managing director, BCG.

Commenting on the agreement, Al-Mady said that SABIC is supporting this study to contribute to the development of the industrial sector in Saudi Arabia.

The first phase of the study is expected to be completed within 12 weeks. It will incorporate the findings of previous studies, develop a clear understanding of the market potential, examine the attributes of each of the subject cities, identify the most appropriate industries (or combinations of industries), examine the key enablers and develop value propositions for each of the cities for investment attraction.

MRC

(BASF) -- BASF's Uvinul 4050 FF is the first monomeric hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) registered for food contact in polymer applications. The product is compliant with EU Directive 2002/72/EC as last amended in Regulation (EC) No. 975/2009 and with Food-Contact Notification (FCN) 647 in the US.

⌠Uvinul 4050 FF is the low-molecular-weight HALS with the broadest food contact approval in plastic applications. Consumers benefit from longer-lasting end products, while plastic converters no longer risk any non-food contact cross-contamination, says Klaus Koch, Global Product Manager for Light Stabilizers at BASF.

The specific light-stabilizing properties of Uvinul 4050 FF, together with food contact approvals, make it the product of choice for all appliances made from ABS. It can also be used in packaging applications that require food contact approval, such as polypropylene (PP) food crates and bulk bags made of PP tapes.

MRC