ASAHI GLASS TO RESTRUCTURE N.A. FLAT GLASS BUSINESS
Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. recently announced that it will stop operations on three float glass production lines and two architectural coating lines from April to December this year, and sell the glass fabrication business in order to respond to the rapid changes in the business environment. Asahi Glass will concentrate its management resources on glass for solar cells, sales of which are expected to grow rapidly, as well as raw glass for automotive use and value-added building products.
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GIA PREDICTS ZIRCONIUM CONSUMPTION WILL REACH 2.0 MMT BY 2012
According to "Zirconium: A Global Strategic Business Report," recently published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), the "China Factor" has emerged as a key demand determinant shaping trends in several products, services and applications. Spurred by booming construction trends, the country's production and consumption of ceramic ware is expected to outpace that of Europe, traditionally the largest producer.
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MICROMERITICS INTRODUCES NEW SURFACE AREA/POROSITY SYSTEM
Micromeritics' new TriStar II surface area and porosity system is suitable for both quality control and research environments. The fully automated, three-station analyzer is capable of increasing the speed and efficiency of quality control analyses, with the accuracy, resolution and data reduction to meet most research requirements.
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PINE HALL BRICK UTILIZES GPS-ENABLED MRM SERVICE
Pine Hall Brick has enhanced its delivery services to construction sites and the management of its trucking fleet through the use of TeleNav Track, a GPS-enabled mobile resource management (MRM) service from TeleNav, Inc. After analyzing operating costs and practices, the company realized it needed to find a way to take advantage of technological advancements in the industry.
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PPG ANNOUNCES FIBER GLASS PRICE INCREASES FOR AMERICAS
PPG Industries' fiber glass business recently announced that it is raising prices effective May 1, or as permissible by contract, for products in the Americas. "Rising costs for energy, transportation, raw materials and precious metals create an economic hardship for our business and our industry that is affecting our ability to reinvest for the future," said Greg Benckart, PPG general manager, fiber glass.
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RHI COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF FOSECO BUSINESS FROM COOKSON
The acquisition of two refractories isostatically pressed ceramic refractory products (ISO) plants in Scotland (Bonnybridge) and the U.S. (Saybrook) by RHI AG was completed successfully on April 16, 2008, following the approval by the European and U.S. anti-trust authorities. RHI takes over the two plants, which were previously operated by Foseco plc, from the Cookson Group plc, the new owner of Foseco.
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RIO TINTO ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER PRODUCTION RESULTS
Commenting on Rio Tinto plc's first quarter's production results, Tom Albanese, chief executive, said, "Our expansion drive continues to pay off with a record-breaking first quarter for the iron ore and aluminum product groups. Markets remain very strong and the prices of many of our products are at record highs, bearing out our view that the U.S. slowdown will have little effect on global metal and mineral supply and demand balances."
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NEW VERTICAL DRYER INTRODUCED BY SACMI
The new Sacmi-developed vertical dryers were designed for customers that produce large sizes but do not want to make the production line too long by inserting a horizontal dryer. A model of this type, an EVA 414, will soon be installed in Spain. At 14 m high, this dryer represents an effective response to the need to produce medium-large tiles without any negative effects on the length of the production line.
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UNIFRAX TO EXPAND TONAWANDA FACILITY
The board of directors of Unifrax I LLC has approved a $20 million expansion of its Tonawanda, N.Y., manufacturing facility. Work on the project will begin in early 2008, with anticipated completion by the end of 2009. As a result of the expansion, Unifrax anticipates adding 50 new jobs over the next two years to the existing workforce of approximately 180 at the facility.
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Mohr Corp. provides ceramic and machinery services to both buyer and seller, from the sale of one machine to entire factories, with its professionally established brokering, liquidation and appraisal organization. For more information, visit www.mohrcorp.com.