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Momentive Performance Materials introduces Rizobacter as new distributor for Silwet Adjuvant in Argentina
F O C US Other Gold-decorated polystyrene grows into biosensor Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, China, have developed an immunosensor prototype consisting of colourchangeable composites of polystyrene decorated with gold nanoparticles. The sensor responds in the near infrared region. The process opens the way for the simple manufacture of hybrid structures and biodevices capable of detecting various bloodborne analytes. The growth of gold nanoparticles into core-shell structures used the multi-amine treeshape surfactant, bis(amidoethylcarbomoylethyl)octadecylamine. Nanotechweb, 24 Feb 2010, (Website: http://nanotechweb.org)
Ashland to introduce expanded technology portfolio at Middle East coatings show Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc, introduced a new and expanded portfolio of alkylphenolethoxylate-free (APEO-free) speciality additives for improving gloss, levelling, colour development, freezethaw stability and consistency of paints and coatings at the Middle East Coatings Show on 29-31 Mar 2010 in Dubai. Ashland’s newlyexpanded portfolio provides formulators and manufacturers with more options for performance improvements and control. Drewplus foam control agents and pHLEX neutralizer, for example, provide customers with improvements that simplify manufacturing and deliver functional benefits to paint and coating formulations. Ashland also showcased its rheology and performance-enhancing technologies that include Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose, Natrosol Plus modified hydroxyethylcellulose, Aquaflow and Aquaflow XLS nonionic synthetic associative thickeners, Advantage foam control agents, and Dextrol and Strodex phosphate ester surfactants. Press release from: Ashland Inc, 50 East RiverCenter Boulevard, PO Box 391, Covington, KY 41012-0391, USA. Tel: +1 (859) 815-3333. Website: http://www.ashland.com (2 Mar 2010)
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Momentive Performance Materials introduces Rizobacter as new distributor for Silwet Adjuvant in Argentina On 22 Mar 2010, Momentive Performance Materials announced that Rizobacter has been appointed as the new distributor for Silwet Adjuvant in Argentina. The move is part of Momentive’s continued expansion in Latin America. The product is a surfactant used with agrochemical products to reduce spray application rates and enhance spraying efficiency. Press release from: Momentive Performance Materials, 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211, USA. Website: http://www.momentive.com (22 Mar 2010)
How to stay ahead of the curve Thiele is constantly developing new products and applications as well as new markets to stay competitive in the global kaolin market. The company has the capacity to produce 1.5 M tons/y of kaolin at two manufacturing plants in Sandersville and Wrens (Reedy Creek), GA, USA. Applications-wise, Thiele products have found use not only in the paper industry but also in the plastic, paint and construction industries. Important market destinations for Thiele products include Japan, eastern Europe and India. The company is eyeing more business with China, where the market for imported clay is estimated at roughly 400,000 tons/y. Meanwhile, Thiele hopes to enter the business of deinking with DEKA. DEKA 3000 (for wash deinking) and DEKA 2000 (for flotation deinking) feature the enhanced particlegathering characteristics of modified kaolin in combination with a deinking surfactant. Pulp and Paper International, Mar 2010, 52 (3), 37-40
ENVIRONMENT Colour me green: from dyes to decaf, industrial chemistry is cleaning up its act An overview is provided of the trend towards use of industrial chemical processes that are environmentally
friendly. Boots, the UK-based retail pharmacist, has already banned phthalates and alkylphenol ethoxylates from its own-brand products. The move is thought to be consistent with the EU REACH regulations under which use of such harmful substances could be restricted or even prohibited. It is estimated that use of green chemistry could generate savings of $10-15 M/y for each blockbuster drug produced by a pharmaceutical company. In producing about 2 billion ibuprofen tablets each year, BASF now employs a three-step process instead of the original six-step technique. At present, bioplastics account for less than 1% of the 250 M tonne/y of plastics produced globally. However, the Bioplastics Council forecasts that bioplastics output could double by 2012. Of the 40 M tonne/y of palm oil produced globally, only about 1.7 M tonne/y has been certified as being sustainable. It is noted that the cosmetics sector has been slow to embrace green chemistry. Other applications of green chemistry in the textile, electronics and household chemical sectors are also outlined. New Scientist – UK Edition, 13 Mar 2010, 205 (2751), 35-38
LEGISLATION Ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated); exemption from the requirement of a tolerance This regulation, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated) applied preand post-harvest on all raw agricultural commodities when applied/used as a surfactant. Falcon Lab LLC submitted a petition to the EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated). This regulation is effective 24 Mar 2010. Objections and requests for 5
Ashland to introduce expanded technology portfolio at Middle East coatings show Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc, introduced a new and expanded portfolio of alkylphenolethoxylate-free (APEO-free) speciality additives for improving gloss, levelling, colour development, freezethaw stability and consistency of paints and coatings at the Middle East Coatings Show on 29-31 Mar 2010 in Dubai. Ashland’s newlyexpanded portfolio provides formulators and manufacturers with more options for performance improvements and control. Drewplus foam control agents and pHLEX neutralizer, for example, provide customers with improvements that simplify manufacturing and deliver functional benefits to paint and coating formulations. Ashland also showcased its rheology and performance-enhancing technologies that include Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose, Natrosol Plus modified hydroxyethylcellulose, Aquaflow and Aquaflow XLS nonionic synthetic associative thickeners, Advantage foam control agents, and Dextrol and Strodex phosphate ester surfactants. Press release from: Ashland Inc, 50 East RiverCenter Boulevard, PO Box 391, Covington, KY 41012-0391, USA. Tel: +1 (859) 815-3333. Website: http://www.ashland.com (2 Mar 2010)
MAY 2010
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
Momentive Performance Materials introduces Rizobacter as new distributor for Silwet Adjuvant in Argentina On 22 Mar 2010, Momentive Performance Materials announced that Rizobacter has been appointed as the new distributor for Silwet Adjuvant in Argentina. The move is part of Momentive’s continued expansion in Latin America. The product is a surfactant used with agrochemical products to reduce spray application rates and enhance spraying efficiency. Press release from: Momentive Performance Materials, 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211, USA. Website: http://www.momentive.com (22 Mar 2010)
How to stay ahead of the curve Thiele is constantly developing new products and applications as well as new markets to stay competitive in the global kaolin market. The company has the capacity to produce 1.5 M tons/y of kaolin at two manufacturing plants in Sandersville and Wrens (Reedy Creek), GA, USA. Applications-wise, Thiele products have found use not only in the paper industry but also in the plastic, paint and construction industries. Important market destinations for Thiele products include Japan, eastern Europe and India. The company is eyeing more business with China, where the market for imported clay is estimated at roughly 400,000 tons/y. Meanwhile, Thiele hopes to enter the business of deinking with DEKA. DEKA 3000 (for wash deinking) and DEKA 2000 (for flotation deinking) feature the enhanced particlegathering characteristics of modified kaolin in combination with a deinking surfactant. Pulp and Paper International, Mar 2010, 52 (3), 37-40
ENVIRONMENT Colour me green: from dyes to decaf, industrial chemistry is cleaning up its act An overview is provided of the trend towards use of industrial chemical processes that are environmentally
friendly. Boots, the UK-based retail pharmacist, has already banned phthalates and alkylphenol ethoxylates from its own-brand products. The move is thought to be consistent with the EU REACH regulations under which use of such harmful substances could be restricted or even prohibited. It is estimated that use of green chemistry could generate savings of $10-15 M/y for each blockbuster drug produced by a pharmaceutical company. In producing about 2 billion ibuprofen tablets each year, BASF now employs a three-step process instead of the original six-step technique. At present, bioplastics account for less than 1% of the 250 M tonne/y of plastics produced globally. However, the Bioplastics Council forecasts that bioplastics output could double by 2012. Of the 40 M tonne/y of palm oil produced globally, only about 1.7 M tonne/y has been certified as being sustainable. It is noted that the cosmetics sector has been slow to embrace green chemistry. Other applications of green chemistry in the textile, electronics and household chemical sectors are also outlined. New Scientist – UK Edition, 13 Mar 2010, 205 (2751), 35-38
LEGISLATION Ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated); exemption from the requirement of a tolerance This regulation, issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), establishes an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance for residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated) applied preand post-harvest on all raw agricultural commodities when applied/used as a surfactant. Falcon Lab LLC submitted a petition to the EPA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), requesting an exemption from the requirement of a tolerance. This regulation eliminates the need to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of ammonium salts of fatty acids (C8-C18 saturated). This regulation is effective 24 Mar 2010. Objections and requests for 5