linking up Combining strengths

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Combining strengths

Stora Enso acquires cellulose technology company Cellutech

Stora Enso has increased its ownership up to 100% in the Swedish company Cellutech AB. The company specialises in the development of new materials and applications based on cellulose, micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC) and other woodbased components.

The acquisition of Cellutech supports Stora Enso’s vision of replacing fossil-based materials with renewable ones originating from wood. The acquired company works, among others, in the areas of foams for packaging and hydroponics where the markets are continuously growing. Cellulosic foams can, for example, be used in packaging to replace polystyrenes which are the most widely used plastics.

“The acquisition of Cellutech will add a new dimension to our fibre and cellulose capabilities particularly in lightweight cellulose foams and spheres. We are investing in technologies and expertise that will further broaden application development competence in Stora Enso’s Biomaterials Division,” says Markus Mannström, EVP, Stora Enso Biomaterials.

Cellutech was formed to take world class scientific research developed at SweTree Technologies and Wallenberg Wood Science Center and develop the ideas into commercially successful technologies and products. Visit: www.storaenso.com

BITZER and Wurm join forces

The refrigeration and air conditioning specialist BITZER and the automation expert Wurm have paved the way for a successful future together with a joint venture agreement through which BITZER will be the majority shareholder of the newly established Wurm Holding GmbH from 1 January 2019.

As a leading manufacturer of electronic system solutions for refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation applications, all national and international Wurm companies will be integrated into the new holding company.

As a managing partner, Dr Horst Peter Wurm will join the management of the new Wurm Holding GmbH and will step down from the operational management of the individual Wurm companies in mid 2019. In the holding company, he will supervise the long-term development and strategic orientation of the group in coordination with BITZER. No changes will be made to the management of the Wurm Group, which is made up of senior employees, or to any of its operational sites in Germany or abroad. Visit: www.bitzer.de

neste and Clariant to develop sustainable industrial solutions

Neste, a provider of sustainable renewable diesel and an expert in delivering drop-in renewable chemical solutions, and Clariant, a leader in specialty chemicals, have signed an agreement for a new partnership to join forces in developing and making new sustainable material solutions accessible to a variety of industries.

In the first phase of the partnership, companies will start replacing fossil-based ethylene and propylene used in Clariant’s top-quality hot-melt adhesives, with monomers derived from renewable feedstock. This is enabled by turning Neste’s renewable hydrocarbons – produced 100% from renewable raw materials, such as waste and residue fats and oils as well as vegetable oils – into ethylene and propylene for Clariant’s products.

In a later phase, the companies will also develop other sustainable additive solutions derived from renewable raw materials for plastics and coatings applications. This will enable the two companies to help various sustainability-focused brand owners – such as those producing furniture, sporting goods, hygiene products, electronics, and automotives – to increase their bio-based offering while also reducing crude oil dependency and climate emissions. Visit: www.neste.com

LKAB Minerals signs agreement to take over Francis Flower

lKAB minerals is to acquire full ownership of Francis Flower. “Acquiring Francis Flower accelerates our growth within the Industrial minerals market. An increase of iron ore production is one building block in lKAB’s growth plan, but growing our other businesses is equally as important to create a better balance between our divisions, something that makes us less sensitive to the iron ore market volatility, which strengthens lKAB,” says lKAB Ceo Jan moström.

Besides that, there are other strategic components to the acquisition, explains Jan moström. “Bringing in Francis Flower’s business into ours creates a form of circular economy, as there is a strong link to lKAB’s iron ore business. The largest product area for Francis Flower is recycling blast furnace slag from the steel industry for production of Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS), a sustainable product that can replace 70% of Portland Cement in a concrete mix delivering decreased Co2 emissions.” Visit: www.lkab.com

LINKINGUP

BASF invests in Chinese 3D printing company

BASF Venture Capital GmbH is investing in Prismlab, a specialist in 3D printing processes and 3D printers, headquartered in Shanghai, China. BASF’s investment will enable Prismlab to further accelerate its product development and innovation while strengthening its global market reach.

“This is our first direct investment in a Chinese company,” said Markus Solibieda, managing director of BASF Venture Capital GmbH. “The trailblazing technology from Prismlab allows large and stable components, such as medical braces and anatomical models, to be 3D printed for the first time. This investment supports BASF’s strategy of actively advancing our technologies and expanding our product offering in the 3D printing sector.”

Prismlab has developed a patented 3D printing process, ‘Pixel Resolution Enhanced Technology’, based on stereolithography (SLA). SLA allows comparatively large components to be produced using light-curing resins. Alongside this patented process, Prismlab also markets 3D printers and other related services. The Prismlab technology can be used in various key customer applications, including invisible braces, and anatomical models for medical, and education and training purposes. Visit: www.basf.com

Nederman acquires Luwa Air Engineering AG

Nederman has completed a deal to acquire 100% of the shares in luwa Air engineering AG, a global manufacturer and supplier of custom engineered air conditioning, waste handling and heat recovery systems for fibre applications. luwa is based in uster, Switzerland and operates through global entities in China, India, Singapore, uSA and Turkey.

The luwa Group’s activities include the design and engineering of single components and whole systems as well as manufacturing, assembly, installation and after sales services. manufacturing and assembly facilities are situated in India and China and the group has a significant global installed base.

“luwa is an excellent complimentary fit for the Nederman Group, combining luwa’s strong market presence, particularly in the Asia Pacific region, and their proven world leading technical capabilities and strong brand name and installed base within the strategically important fibre and textile markets,” says Nederman President and Ceo, Sven Kristensson. Visit: www.nederman.com

FRAMOS strengthens embedded vision development

FRAMOS Group, a manufacturer of imaging products, custom vision solutions and OEM services, has acquired Croatian company Smartek Vision. As FRAMOS Embedded Engineering, the Croatian team will focus on Embedded Vision development, custom solutions, IP and sensor modules.

Smartek Vision was founded in 2001 and is based in Cacovec, Croatia. Bought by Framos in 2014, the complete facilities including all 30 employees now become an integrated part of the FRAMOS group, operating as its Embedded Engineering department. The Croatian engineering team brings an advanced experience in sensor modules, camera customisations and IP solutions for imaging applications in industrial and consumer markets.

Damir Dolar, appointed as vice-president of FRAMOS Embedded Engineering, says: “We are extremely pleased to join the FRAMOS Group. With over 17 years of experience in vision engineering and manufacturing, our focus will be enabling the FRAMOS customers to leverage from imaging technologies and embedded vision to create cutting-edge solutions in all industrial and consumer markets. Our engineering team is a knowledge development partner for individual approaches to sensor modules, custom cameras, imaging algorithms plus IP and SoC solutions to support customers building devices that see.” Visit: www.framos.com

hiab completes acquisition of effer cranes

Hiab, part of Cargotec, has completed the acquisition of Effer SpA from CTE Group. For Hiab, this means a significant advancement in its ambition to be leader in cranes and preferred partner for its customers.

Effer, headquartered in Minerbio, Italy, and with approximately 400 employees, is a renowned premium knuckle-boom crane manufacturer. Effer’s product range includes truck loader cranes, special application truck cranes, and marine cranes, with particular recognition for heavy cranes >100 tm capacity. Distribution is managed through a network of more than 100 dealers covering around 60 countries globally.

Effer will continue to operate under its recognised brand and identity, and through its established dealer and distribution partner network. Effer will be part of Hiab’s global cranes organisation, with Lorenzo Cipriani continuing as managing director Effer, reporting to Joakim Andersson, senior vicepresident Cranes, Hiab. “I am incredibly proud today to welcome Effer and its employees as part of the Hiab family. Bringing our two proud histories, strong brands and unique competence together will make Hiab and Effer stronger and able to even better serve our customers,” says Joakim Andersson. Visit: www.hiab.com