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Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposium on Catalysis
N6
hating the disadvantages of burning using a combustion flame or using hydrophillic catalysts. J. RYCZKOWSKI News from Poland
A book entitled "Materialy I Kongresu Technologii Chemicznej, Szczecin, 19-22 Wrzesnia 1994" (in English: Materials of the 1st National Congress on Technology), edited by the Institute of Inorganic Technology, Szczecin Technical University, has been published by Szczecin Technical University Publishers, Szczecin (ISBN 83-86359-75-7, 816 pp., 1995). The book, a proceedings volume, contains the texts of plenary lectures and oral presentations delivered during the First Congress on Technology-- "TECHEM-I" which was held in Szczecin (Poland) from 19th to 22nd September 1994 [Appl. Catal. A, News Brief, 119 (1994) N22-N23.]. J. RYCZKOWSKI Rh6ne-Poulenc Transfers its HeatCured Elastomers Business in North America and Japan to Wacker
Silicone elastomers are an important class of silicone-based chemicals whose manufacture involves several catalytic steps: the primary elastomers prepared by acid-base polymerisation are generally transformed on-site by the users themselves by catalytic reticulation. As of July 1st, 1995, RhOne-Poulenc has transferred its North American heatcured elastomers business and 50% of its shares in RhSne-Poulenc Silicones Japan, a company which specialises in the field of applied catalysis A: General
heat-cured elastomers, to WackerChemie. These two operations are in line with the restructuring of RhSne-Poulenc's silicone strategy to focus its operations on specialty products, where the Group already has strong leading positions, and to remain active in the heat-cured elastomers business in Europe. For the North American heat-cured elastomers business, Wacker, which already operates a production facility in Adrian (Michigan), will acquire the business and the technical and manufacturing know-how of RhSne-Poulenc. In Japan, Wacker will buy 50% of RhSne-Poulenc's share in its subsidiary "RhOne-Poulenc Silicones Japan" which specialises in the field of heat-cured elastomers and will be in charge of the management. Wacker already operates a production facility in Daito-cho (South of Tokyo) and is promoting its efforts on the Japanese markets. Rh5ne-Poulenc Silicones, a worldwide leader in silicones with a turnover of FF 2.2 billion, is refocusing and developing its activities in speciality products. The Group recently acquired VSl (a Loctite subsidiary which concentrates on highly specialised elastomers in North America) and set up a joint-venture with Xinghuo Chemicals Works to manufacture silicone sealants in China. In the meantime, Rh5ne-Poulenc is also increasing its upstream integration with the recent FF 260 million investment made at its manufacturing site in RoussilIon (France). Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposium on Catalysis
The Seventh Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposium on Catalysis was held in Tokyo, Japan from 26 to 28 July 1995. Volume 131 No. 1 - - 14 October 1995
N7
The series of Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposia on Catalysis, or the trilateral symposia for short, was inaugurated in 1982 for the purpose of giving researchers in the field of catalysis in these three countries an opportunity to become acquainted with each other's work. Since then the symposium has expanded to include participants from other Pacific-Rim countries. The seventh meeting in this series, which recently took place in Tokyo, attracted 58 attendees from Japan, 21 from China, 16 from the U.S., 21 from Korea, and one each from Taiwan and Thailand. Dr. John Armor of Air Products and Chemicals, Prof. H. L. Wan of Xiamen University, and Prof. Otsuka of Tokyo University presented plenary lectures on membrane catalysis, methane activation, and the electrochemical design of catalysts, respectively. There were also 39 oral presentations and 43 poster presentations which covered a wide range of applied and fundamental topics in catalytic science and technology. Each poster presenter was also given five minutes to describe briefly their work to the entire congregate. This feature worked well because it focused and stimulated discussions in the poster session that followed these brief
oral presentations. A booklet containing two-page abstracts of all the papers is available. All the oral presentations were also captured on videotape by Burt Davis. As to be expected for this symposium series, the banquet on Thursday evening was very well attended and contributed to good fellowship among participants from the different countries. It was clear that people enjoyed the technical and social interactions in the meeting, despite the hot and humid weather in Tokyo that week. In his closing remarks, Prof. Moro-oka of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, announced that the symposium would take on a new format in its next meeting. The idea is to move from a trilateral meeting, involving the three original countries, to a meeting that is open to and hopefully involves more active participation from all Pacific-Rim countries. Whatever the new format turns out to be, it will strive to maintain the intent and tradition of the current series, which is to promote international interactions and collaborations among catalytic researchers. EDMONDI. KO
News Brief is a forum for the free exchange of views and opinions. Views and opinions expressed in News Brief do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher or the Editors. No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
a p p l i e d catalysis A: General
Volume 131 No. 1 - - 14 October 1995
hating the disadvantages of burning using a combustion flame or using hydrophillic catalysts. J. RYCZKOWSKI News from Poland
A book entitled "Materialy I Kongresu Technologii Chemicznej, Szczecin, 19-22 Wrzesnia 1994" (in English: Materials of the 1st National Congress on Technology), edited by the Institute of Inorganic Technology, Szczecin Technical University, has been published by Szczecin Technical University Publishers, Szczecin (ISBN 83-86359-75-7, 816 pp., 1995). The book, a proceedings volume, contains the texts of plenary lectures and oral presentations delivered during the First Congress on Technology-- "TECHEM-I" which was held in Szczecin (Poland) from 19th to 22nd September 1994 [Appl. Catal. A, News Brief, 119 (1994) N22-N23.]. J. RYCZKOWSKI Rh6ne-Poulenc Transfers its HeatCured Elastomers Business in North America and Japan to Wacker
Silicone elastomers are an important class of silicone-based chemicals whose manufacture involves several catalytic steps: the primary elastomers prepared by acid-base polymerisation are generally transformed on-site by the users themselves by catalytic reticulation. As of July 1st, 1995, RhOne-Poulenc has transferred its North American heatcured elastomers business and 50% of its shares in RhSne-Poulenc Silicones Japan, a company which specialises in the field of applied catalysis A: General
heat-cured elastomers, to WackerChemie. These two operations are in line with the restructuring of RhSne-Poulenc's silicone strategy to focus its operations on specialty products, where the Group already has strong leading positions, and to remain active in the heat-cured elastomers business in Europe. For the North American heat-cured elastomers business, Wacker, which already operates a production facility in Adrian (Michigan), will acquire the business and the technical and manufacturing know-how of RhSne-Poulenc. In Japan, Wacker will buy 50% of RhSne-Poulenc's share in its subsidiary "RhOne-Poulenc Silicones Japan" which specialises in the field of heat-cured elastomers and will be in charge of the management. Wacker already operates a production facility in Daito-cho (South of Tokyo) and is promoting its efforts on the Japanese markets. Rh5ne-Poulenc Silicones, a worldwide leader in silicones with a turnover of FF 2.2 billion, is refocusing and developing its activities in speciality products. The Group recently acquired VSl (a Loctite subsidiary which concentrates on highly specialised elastomers in North America) and set up a joint-venture with Xinghuo Chemicals Works to manufacture silicone sealants in China. In the meantime, Rh5ne-Poulenc is also increasing its upstream integration with the recent FF 260 million investment made at its manufacturing site in RoussilIon (France). Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposium on Catalysis
The Seventh Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposium on Catalysis was held in Tokyo, Japan from 26 to 28 July 1995. Volume 131 No. 1 - - 14 October 1995
N7
The series of Japan-China-U.S.A. Symposia on Catalysis, or the trilateral symposia for short, was inaugurated in 1982 for the purpose of giving researchers in the field of catalysis in these three countries an opportunity to become acquainted with each other's work. Since then the symposium has expanded to include participants from other Pacific-Rim countries. The seventh meeting in this series, which recently took place in Tokyo, attracted 58 attendees from Japan, 21 from China, 16 from the U.S., 21 from Korea, and one each from Taiwan and Thailand. Dr. John Armor of Air Products and Chemicals, Prof. H. L. Wan of Xiamen University, and Prof. Otsuka of Tokyo University presented plenary lectures on membrane catalysis, methane activation, and the electrochemical design of catalysts, respectively. There were also 39 oral presentations and 43 poster presentations which covered a wide range of applied and fundamental topics in catalytic science and technology. Each poster presenter was also given five minutes to describe briefly their work to the entire congregate. This feature worked well because it focused and stimulated discussions in the poster session that followed these brief
oral presentations. A booklet containing two-page abstracts of all the papers is available. All the oral presentations were also captured on videotape by Burt Davis. As to be expected for this symposium series, the banquet on Thursday evening was very well attended and contributed to good fellowship among participants from the different countries. It was clear that people enjoyed the technical and social interactions in the meeting, despite the hot and humid weather in Tokyo that week. In his closing remarks, Prof. Moro-oka of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, announced that the symposium would take on a new format in its next meeting. The idea is to move from a trilateral meeting, involving the three original countries, to a meeting that is open to and hopefully involves more active participation from all Pacific-Rim countries. Whatever the new format turns out to be, it will strive to maintain the intent and tradition of the current series, which is to promote international interactions and collaborations among catalytic researchers. EDMONDI. KO
News Brief is a forum for the free exchange of views and opinions. Views and opinions expressed in News Brief do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher or the Editors. No responsibility is assumed by the publisher for any injury and/or damage to persons or property as a matter of products liability, negligence or otherwise, or from any use or operation of any methods, products, instructions or ideas contained in the material herein.
a p p l i e d catalysis A: General
Volume 131 No. 1 - - 14 October 1995