A comprehensive rundown of news announcements from the ceramic industry.
Updated Website Launched by Innovative Processing Solutions
Innovative Processing Solutions recently
announced an updated website that reportedly features a user-friendly design,
is easy to navigate and offers complete information on the company’s custom material
handling and crushing systems. Equipment details and specifications are listed
for the company’s specialty conveyors, hoppers and chutes, structures, and
apron feeders. Innovative also provides crushers through Stedman, its sister
company.
Full contact information, literature, case studies and the latest company news
are also included on the updated site. For more information, call (877)
926-0040, fax (812) 926-3482, e-mail
info@innovative-processing.com or
visit the new site at
www.innovative-processing.com.
Superior Graphite and Graphite Sales Launch Joint Venture
Graphite Sales, Inc. and Superior Graphite
Co. recently announced the launch of Ozark Graphite Specialties, a joint
venture for the production, marketing and sales of specialty graphite.
“This is an exciting moment for us,” said
Kevin Burmeister, CEO of Graphite Sales. “This joint venture improves our
ability to supply the customer a quality product on time. In addition, we are
delighted that we have found a business partner the caliber of Superior Graphite
to bring these products to market. It is our mission to be a long-term supplier
to the many industries utilizing specialty graphite, and this newly established
venture casts a firm foundation for further growth.”
Ozark Graphite Specialties can be contacted at (479) 968-1801,
rodneychiodo@ozarkgraphite.com or
www.ozarkgraphite.com.
H.C. Starck and Comet Network Sign Supply Agreement
H.C. Starck Inc. and Comet Network Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea,
recently announced that they have reached a long-term agreement for the supply
of refractory metal for sputtering targets used in the production of LCD flat
panel display screens. H.C. Starck will supply Comet Network from its
production facilities in Euclid, Ohio, where additional investment will be made
as necessary to fulfill Comet Network’s requirements.
Visit
www.hcstarck.com for more information.
BASF to Commercialize Argonne Lithium-Ion Battery Technology
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory
and BASF have signed a worldwide licensing agreement to mass produce and market
Argonne’s patented composite cathode materials to manufacturers of advanced
lithium-ion batteries. BASF will conduct further lithium-ion battery material
application development in its current Beachwood, Ohio, facility.
Contingent upon winning a DOE grant under
Recovery Act-Electric Drive Vehicle Battery and Component Manufacturing
Initiative (DE-FOA-0000026), BASF plans to build one of North America’s largest
cathode material production facilities in Elyria, Ohio. For more information,
visit
www.basf.com/usa or
www.anl.gov.
Steuben Glass to Launch Crystal Collectibles for MLB
Steuben Glass and Major League Baseball (MLB) have teamed up to
create a selection of crystal baseball collectibles. Highlights include a
crystal replica of a MLB bat in life-size, and 18 and 14 in. versions; crystal
baseballs; and home plates. Other team collectibles include barware, tabletop
decor and ornaments.
“Our partnership with Major League Baseball
represents a new era in Steuben’s rich American history,” said Joey
Schottenstein, principal of Steuben. “We want to create modern masterpieces
that capture the imagination, excitement and passion of the sports enthusiast
and discerning collector.”
For additional information, visit
www.steuben.com or
www.mlb.com.
U.S. Demand for Wall Coverings to Reach $2.4 Billion in 2013
According to “Wall Coverings,” a new study from The Freedonia
Group, Inc., demand for wall coverings is projected to advance 4.2% annually
from a weak 2008 base to $2.4 billion in 2013. This represents a considerable
improvement over the performance from 2003 to 2008, as the collapse of new
housing construction in 2007 and 2008 seriously reduced demand for wall
coverings used in new residential markets.
Demand for decorative wall tile is projected
to increase 5.0% annually to $920 million in 2013. Consumption of these
products will benefit primarily from the recovery of the new housing segment,
which will spur construction of more kitchen and bathroom space. Additional
details are available at
www.freedoniagroup.com.
Alfred and Santanoni Sign Agreement for "Unbreakable" Glassware
Alfred University has signed a royalty agreement with Santanoni
Glass and Ceramics, Inc. for proprietary technology related to the strengthening
of glass. The process allows Santanoni to produce “unbreakable” glassware, such
as wine glasses, canning jars, bottles, tumblers, goblets and mugs, at a cost
that allows the products to be competitive with normal, un-strengthened
glassware.
William LaCourse, Ph.D., professor of Glass
Science at the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University and
president of the company, has researched processes for strengthening glasses
for more than 30 years. “No glass is
unbreakable, but our process produces the highest-strength glassware available today, and at a price that makes it
affordable,” said LaCourse. “It has the potential to save restaurants, catering
services and families up to 80%, and perhaps more, on their glassware costs. We
have dropped glass bottles from 10 ft high onto a concrete floor, and the glass
simply bounces.”
For more information, visit
www.alfred.edu or
www.santanoni.biz.
SIDEBAR: Riedhammer Announces New North American Strategy
Riedhammer GmbH has appointed a new North American sales
team, which includes Jaime Graham, Mac McGinnis and Chris Pilko. “Chris, Mac
and Jaime each bring unique skills and relationships that complement our staff
in Nuremburg,” said Matthias Uhl, managing director of Riedhammer. “With their
help, we will be able to give our American customers the
individual attention they deserve.”
McGinnis and Pilko handle the technical ceramics and advanced materials markets
from their respective offices in Texas and Pennsylvania, while Graham handles sanitaryware and
tableware from his office in Florida.
Each will become the primary contact for their customers to facilitate
communications with Germany. Spare parts will continue to be supplied from
Sacmi USA in Iowa. For more information, visit
www.riedhammer.com.
SIDEBAR: Ceradyne to Close ESK Plant in France; Announces Diaphorm Acquisition
Ceradyne, Inc. recently announced that, in accordance with
the French legal process, its ESK Ceramics France subsidiary has presented to
the local employees’ representatives a plan for closing its manufacturing plant
in Bazet, France, effective later this year. As a result, it is anticipated that
ESK France will reduce its workforce by approximately 95 employees, primarily
composed of manufacturing, production and additional support staff at the
plant.
According to the company, this action is being implemented as a cost-cutting
measure to eliminate losses that were incurred at the facility due to the
recent severe economic contraction. The 88,000-square-foot manufacturing
facility is owned by ESK France and has been used to support the production of
various industrial ceramic products. Production of these products will be
transferred to ESK Ceramics GmbH & Co. KG in Kempten, Germany.
Ceradyne also recently announced that it has acquired substantially all of the
business and assets and all technology and intellectual property related to
ballistic combat and non-combat helmets of Diaphorm Technologies, LLC, based in
Salem, N.H. Ceradyne’s strategy is to combine its track record in body armor
programs with the proprietary helmet-forming technologies of Diaphorm to create
a world-class manufacturer of enhanced combat helmets (ECHs). Visit
www.ceradyne.com for more information.
