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FOSS manufacturing files petition for relief
Filtration Industry Analyst
The equipment being retrofitted includes backhoes, loaders and excavators, which will have their old mufflers replaced with the catalytic and filtration technology made by Cleaire. The retrofit equipment is expected to reduce PM emissions by more than 85%, NOx emissions by up to 25%, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions by up to 90%, reports the project team.
NEWS
SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: “IMPROVING PROCESSES” The Filtration Society is running a one-day technical meeting – Improving Process Efficiency Through Filter Scale-Up and Evaluation – on the 22 November 2005, in Runcorn, UK. According to the society, process efficiency gains – by increasing throughput or optimising filtration equipment performance – and cost savings, can be achieved through correct scale-up and evaluation of filtration equipment. Examples and case studies of how process improvements might be achieved through consideration of separation equipment will be presented. In addition, there will be a demonstration of software designed to help users specify filtration equipment and evaluate process filters.
MILLIPORE AND GEN-PROBE DEVELOP ‘NAT’ PRODUCTS Millipore Corp and GenProbe Inc have formed an alliance to develop and manufacture nucleic acid testing (NAT) products, for microbiological and virus monitoring in the biotech and pharma industries.
4
September 2005
Millipore’s sample preparation technology is able to isolate a single micro-organism from large volumes of fluid, while Gen-Probe’s NAT technology can amplify and quickly detect miniscule quantities of RNA, specific to certain micro-organisms. Microbiological monitoring of manufacturing processes is critical in ensuring patient safety and meeting regulatory requirements. Under the terms of the agreement, Gen-Probe will be primarily responsible for assay development and manufacturing, while Millipore will manage worldwide commercialisation. The companies expect to launch the first of a series of rapid biological testing products during 2007.
EYI INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES CODE BLUE INITIAL SALES EYI Industries Inc has announced that the prelaunch sales of its patented Code Blue domestic water filtration systems have “surpassed expectations”, as 2 900 Code Blue units have been ordered in advance of any promotion. According to the company, the domestic water filtration unit applies filter pellets that work like magnetic sponges to pull Arsenic, Chlorine, Nitrates, Mercury and other contaminants out of tap water.
DECTRON ESTABLISHES RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP Dectron Internationale has signed a research partnership agreement with Concordia University, a leading Canadian Educational and Research Institution.
The collaboration – with Concordia’s Indoor Environment Group of the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, is to develop unique air filtration and purification technologies for use in Dectron’s Indoor Air Security Program. “Our existing client base of architects and engineers require that we provide them with the most innovative air purification solutions available,” said Brian Monk, vice president, sales and marketing. The research partnership was also endorsed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), which will contribute equally to the study as a third partner. The study will span a three-year period, reports the partnership. The research and development process will take place at Concordia’s science and engineering building in Montreal, Canada.
FOSS MANUFACTURING FILES PETITION FOR RELIEF Foss Manufacturing Co Inc has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 of the code is designed to provide companies with the time and opportunity to reorganise their operations, restructure their debts, obtain new investment capital, or facilitate a sale of all or part of the company on a going concern basis. In conjunction with the filing of the bankruptcy petition, Foss has filed a request that the Bankruptcy Court approve the use of cash collateral to provide working capital for its operations. The company’s manufacturing facility will remain in operation during the Chapter 11, and the company anticipates no employee layoffs or
customer disruptions as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. According to the company, the immediate need for the bankruptcy petition was driven by the refusal of the company’s senior lender to continue to fund the company’s daytodayoperations. In addition, reports the company, communications with the lender have broken down, necessitating the company’s actions.
MEMBRANA WINS FROST & SULLIVAN AWARD FOR MEMBRANE Membrana has been selected as the recipient of the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award, in the field of membrane separation for medical applications. Membrana scooped the award in recognition of developing a “best-in-class, next-generation synthetic haemodialysis membrane – Purema.” Using a unique material produced from Polyethersulfone (PES) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), via a process termed sieving enhancing technology (SET), the Purema dialysis membrane effectively accomplishes the critical task of reducing the interaction between the membrane and the soluble and cellular components of blood. The company reports that SET develops a thicker separation layer, more uniform pore distribution and an improved sieving profile, all of which contribute to the membrane’s ability to remove the ‘middle molecular’ weight toxins more selectively without the loss of essential proteins. “Membrana’s all-round contributions toward technology innovation are exemplified by its development of Purema” said F&S Research Analyst Miriam Nagel.
The equipment being retrofitted includes backhoes, loaders and excavators, which will have their old mufflers replaced with the catalytic and filtration technology made by Cleaire. The retrofit equipment is expected to reduce PM emissions by more than 85%, NOx emissions by up to 25%, and carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions by up to 90%, reports the project team.
NEWS
SEMINAR ANNOUNCEMENT: “IMPROVING PROCESSES” The Filtration Society is running a one-day technical meeting – Improving Process Efficiency Through Filter Scale-Up and Evaluation – on the 22 November 2005, in Runcorn, UK. According to the society, process efficiency gains – by increasing throughput or optimising filtration equipment performance – and cost savings, can be achieved through correct scale-up and evaluation of filtration equipment. Examples and case studies of how process improvements might be achieved through consideration of separation equipment will be presented. In addition, there will be a demonstration of software designed to help users specify filtration equipment and evaluate process filters.
MILLIPORE AND GEN-PROBE DEVELOP ‘NAT’ PRODUCTS Millipore Corp and GenProbe Inc have formed an alliance to develop and manufacture nucleic acid testing (NAT) products, for microbiological and virus monitoring in the biotech and pharma industries.
4
September 2005
Millipore’s sample preparation technology is able to isolate a single micro-organism from large volumes of fluid, while Gen-Probe’s NAT technology can amplify and quickly detect miniscule quantities of RNA, specific to certain micro-organisms. Microbiological monitoring of manufacturing processes is critical in ensuring patient safety and meeting regulatory requirements. Under the terms of the agreement, Gen-Probe will be primarily responsible for assay development and manufacturing, while Millipore will manage worldwide commercialisation. The companies expect to launch the first of a series of rapid biological testing products during 2007.
EYI INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCES CODE BLUE INITIAL SALES EYI Industries Inc has announced that the prelaunch sales of its patented Code Blue domestic water filtration systems have “surpassed expectations”, as 2 900 Code Blue units have been ordered in advance of any promotion. According to the company, the domestic water filtration unit applies filter pellets that work like magnetic sponges to pull Arsenic, Chlorine, Nitrates, Mercury and other contaminants out of tap water.
DECTRON ESTABLISHES RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP Dectron Internationale has signed a research partnership agreement with Concordia University, a leading Canadian Educational and Research Institution.
The collaboration – with Concordia’s Indoor Environment Group of the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, is to develop unique air filtration and purification technologies for use in Dectron’s Indoor Air Security Program. “Our existing client base of architects and engineers require that we provide them with the most innovative air purification solutions available,” said Brian Monk, vice president, sales and marketing. The research partnership was also endorsed by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), which will contribute equally to the study as a third partner. The study will span a three-year period, reports the partnership. The research and development process will take place at Concordia’s science and engineering building in Montreal, Canada.
FOSS MANUFACTURING FILES PETITION FOR RELIEF Foss Manufacturing Co Inc has filed a petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. Chapter 11 of the code is designed to provide companies with the time and opportunity to reorganise their operations, restructure their debts, obtain new investment capital, or facilitate a sale of all or part of the company on a going concern basis. In conjunction with the filing of the bankruptcy petition, Foss has filed a request that the Bankruptcy Court approve the use of cash collateral to provide working capital for its operations. The company’s manufacturing facility will remain in operation during the Chapter 11, and the company anticipates no employee layoffs or
customer disruptions as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. According to the company, the immediate need for the bankruptcy petition was driven by the refusal of the company’s senior lender to continue to fund the company’s daytodayoperations. In addition, reports the company, communications with the lender have broken down, necessitating the company’s actions.
MEMBRANA WINS FROST & SULLIVAN AWARD FOR MEMBRANE Membrana has been selected as the recipient of the 2005 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award, in the field of membrane separation for medical applications. Membrana scooped the award in recognition of developing a “best-in-class, next-generation synthetic haemodialysis membrane – Purema.” Using a unique material produced from Polyethersulfone (PES) and Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), via a process termed sieving enhancing technology (SET), the Purema dialysis membrane effectively accomplishes the critical task of reducing the interaction between the membrane and the soluble and cellular components of blood. The company reports that SET develops a thicker separation layer, more uniform pore distribution and an improved sieving profile, all of which contribute to the membrane’s ability to remove the ‘middle molecular’ weight toxins more selectively without the loss of essential proteins. “Membrana’s all-round contributions toward technology innovation are exemplified by its development of Purema” said F&S Research Analyst Miriam Nagel.