Global Carbon nanotubes Market - Industry Beckons

Lockheed Martin reveals F-35 to feature nanocomposite structures

My article "Patent analysis and product survey on use of nanomaterials in lithium-ion batteries" is now live on nanowerk

Exciting advances in nanomedicine and nanotechnology in medical diagnostics

Wipro to start high-end nanotech R&D unit with Belgian institute IMEC in Bangalore

The Futuristic Perspectives: Indian Composites Industry

Uflex India plans to build largest film line in US

Uflex Group, the Indian flexible packaging giant, is to build a new facility in the US state of Kentucky and expects it will run the largest film line in the country. The first phase of the US$180 million project will be to set up an 8.7m wide, 500m/min biaxially oriented polyester (BOPET) film line and a plasma enhanced high-barrier metalliser. The line, one of the world’s largest, will turn out 30,000 tonnes (around 70m lbs) of film per year and is expected to be onstream by the end of 2012. Uflex says it will be larger than any other film line presently operating in the US. The US is the world’s largest packaging market accounting for around 20% of global consumption.

In 2005, Uflex began a programme of setting up plants in all major international geographical film markets by commissioning a BOPET Film line in Dubai. Later, it launched facilities for BOPET films in Mexico (in 2009) and biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films and cast polypropylene (CPP) films in Egypt (in 2010). Three more 8.7m BOPET lines are being installed–including one at a new facility in Poznan, Poland which is expected to be operational by the middle of 2012. This will be Uflex’s first European manufacturing project. The plant is being set up under the aegis of Flex Film Europa. The BOPET plant will be one of the world’s largest film lines, capable of producing about 36,000 tonnes (80m lbs) of film annually. The total investment in the first phase will be US$90m.

Experts share their thoughts on the chemical industry over the next 12-18 months

http://blog.zintro.com/2011/04/19/experts-share-their-thoughts-on-the-chemical-industry-over-the-next-12-18-months/

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories opens Centre at Cambridge Science Park, UK

Indian drug maker Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories is going to be opened its newly expanded Chirotech Technology Centre at Cambridge Science Park, UK. The facility is built to Dr. Reddy’s specific requirements for chemistry, biology and analytics. While this capacity will help facilitate an initial doubling of scientific staff in Chirotech while providing for further capacity additions in future as well as strengthen core capabilities in biocatalysis and chemocatalysis, build capabilities in fast growing segments like Activated mPEGs and peptides, and allow development of other areas of expertise in chemistry and processing for use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Huntsman Plans Expansion in India

Huntsman Corp. plans to expand and acquire companies in India to keep up with customer demand. The company expects to double revenue from India in the next four to five years. The company will invest $10 million to develop a full-fledged office with research and development facilities and hire around 400-500 people in the next two to three years in India. Last week, Huntsman completed the acquisition of Gujarat-based chemicals manufacturer Laffans Petrochemicals Ltd, its fourth Indian acquisition, extending a technical collaboration with the Indian chemicals maker. Huntsman is expanding capacity to meet demand from clients that have set up factories in India. The company's clients include Procter and Gamble Co. and competitors include BASF SE, Bayer AG and Dow Chemical Co.