Technology spotlight Advances in technology

NEWS

MOVINGON

Relocations and expansions across Europe

DSM to invest in a new plant in North America

Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, is to invest in a new polymerisation plant in North America to manufacture Akulon® polyamide 6 polymer for film grades used in flexible food packaging and other segments.

“This new plant is our first polymerisation plant for high viscosity grades in North America for Akulon polyamide 6, besides our existing infrastructure in Europe and Asia. It thus fits perfectly with our growth strategy for Materials Sciences, as it strengthens our global position in PA6 based films,” comments Roelof Westerbeek, president DSM Engineering Plastics. Visit: www.dsm.com

New Brandauer CEO targets £10m vision for presswork specialist

The new boss at one of Europe’s leading precision stampers has set out his vision to achieve £10m of sales by 2017.

Rowan Crozier, CEO of UK-based Brandauer, is looking to build on a number of recent contract wins by investing in a new special products division and a concerted expert push into Germany, Scandinavia and the USA.

The approach follows a spend of more than £1 million on a world-class wire EDM cell at its Birmingham factory and the installation of a state-of-the-art paperless business system that controls everything from initial enquiry, through to scheduling, workflow and tool transfers.

“UK manufacturing is in demand at the moment and we’ve noticed companies are not only re-shoring work, but previously hard to enter international markets are welcoming our capabilities. There’s an increasing capacity issue in Germany for what we do, which we can solve relatively easily given the chance. We’ve also just landed two orders from Sweden and Norway and believe there is a lot more potential out there. “We already export 75% of our turnover and I can see this growing to 80%, maybe even 85% if we take advantage of opportunities in the EU.” Visit: Visit: www.brandauer.co.uk

Johnson Matthey Process Technologies invests in new South American site

Johnson Matthey has established a site for a new catalyst plant in Brazil. As part of Johnson Matthey Process Technologies, the factory will initially manufacture catalysts for hydrogen production. The facility is expected to start operating by the end of 2014.

Geoff Otterman, divisional director, comments: “For a long time we have recognised the strategic importance of Brazil and South America. This investment demonstrates our longterm commitment to manufacturing in Brazil. Beyond this, it is our intention to expand our manufacturing capability here to include products such as catalysts and adsorbents for gas to liquids and gas purification. “This investment builds on our nine existing catalyst manufacturing plants across six countries, and complements existing capacity expansions at these sites.” Visit: www.jmprotech.com/refineries

EuroChem launches phosphate ore production in Kazakhstan

EuroChem, a top ten fertiliser company globally, has announced the launch of phosphate ore production at the Kok-Jon phosphate rock deposit in the Jambyl region, Kazakhstan.

The EuroChem project in Kazakhstan has already produced around 20 thousand metric tonnes (KMT) of phosphate ore, which has been shipped to the adjacent storage facility. Total production is expected to amount to over 150 KMT of phosphate ore by the end of the year.

The company plans to reach a steady production level of up to 650 KMT per year in 2016 following the full commissioning of the Phase I programme. EuroChem also plans to further ramp up the project to 1.5 million metric tonnes (MMT) per year as it aims to construct a fertiliser complex in the region. Visit: www.eurochem.ru

Belden opens plant in China

Belden Inc., a global leader in signal transmission solutions for mission-critical applications, has begun producing industrial connectors in China. A new plant in Suzhou, in the eastern Jiangsu Province, was officially opened on 23 June, putting the company in a strong position to capitalise on growth opportunities in key markets across the whole of the Asia-Pacific. Belden says it will also increase its leadership in high quality end-toend signal transmission solutions.

The company is now better placed to provide its global customers with a comprehensive range of differentiated products, technology and services that provide uninterrupted high performance. Belden’s Industrial Connector Business Division already has four production bases in Europe and America; the creation of this fifth operation is set against a background of high demand in the AsiaPacific market and the company’s strong emphasis on China in particular.

Products tailored specifically for the Chinese market will be launched in the next few months. Visit: www.beldensolutions.com