“The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.”
- Dale Carnegie

“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play
together, the club won’t be worth a dime.”
- Babe Ruth

“The winners in life think constantly in terms of I can, I will, and I am. Losers, on the other hand, concentrate their waking thoughts on what they should have or would have done, or what they can't do.”
- Dennis Waitley

“It is not only for what we do that we are held responsible, but also for what we do not do.”
- John Baptiste Moliére

“Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.”
- Anthony Robbins

“I am among those who think that science has great beauty. A scientist in his laboratory is not only a technician: he is also a child placed before natural phenomena which impress him like a fairy tale.”
- Marie Curie

 

How Do Thunderstorms Work?
 

Thunderstorms are a continuous source of wonder and interest. At any given time, all around the globe, there are 2,000 thunderstorms occurring,
producing well over 100 lightning strikes per second. Eight million lightning bolts every day unleash the power equivalent to 2 million tons of TNT.
This meteorological phenomenon raises the question – how do thunderstorms come about? How do the clouds acquire all this energy?

As early as the 18th century, scientists suspected that lightning was a form of electricity. However, it was a daring experiment by Benjamin Franklin in 1752 that proved it finally. He flew a kite into a thundercloud and received a stream of sparks flowing to the bottom of the kite string. The experiment worked because lightning is a multi-million volt electrical charge between one cloud and another, or between a cloud and the Earth.

As sunlight heats the ground, warm air rises and forms cumulous clouds that can change into cumulonimbus clouds. High air humidity increases the formation of thunderstorm clouds. Friction between tiny water and ice particles, called “hydrometeors”, generate static electricity. The smaller
particles pick up a positive charge while the larger ones take on a negative charge. As the hydrometeors move around within the clouds, updrafts
push the smaller particles towards the top of the cloud, resulting in a concentration of the heavier ones at the bottom. It does not take long for the
cloud to accumulate a massive potential difference that is measured in millions of volts. A powerful electric field is created by this electrical potential, stretching from the bottom of the cloud to the ground. This field resembles the contour lines on map. As electrons are repelled away from the negative charge in the clouds, the ground becomes positively charged. Tall and sharp objects, such as buildings and trees are prime targets for lightning strikes. They deform the contour lines of the field, pushing them closer together and concentrating the electric field around the top of the object. The field is adequately able to surmount the insulating properties of the air and the cloud discharges to the Earth, producing a lightning bolt.

When lightning discharges, it produces a heat so intense it “superheats” the surrounding air, causing it to expand explosively. A compression or ‘shock” wave - the thunder – is the end result. It spreads out through the air in all directions and travels at a rate of approximately a fifth of a mile per second. While the flash of the lightning and the clap of the thunder are produced simultaneously, the light travels much faster (186,000 miles per second) than the sound (approximately 0.2 miles per second).

Most lightning strikes are spent in cloud-to-cloud lightning and never hit the ground. Each flash is about 3 miles long and around a centimeter in width. Releasing about 1-10 billion joules of energy, it produces a current between 30,000-50,000 amps and heats the surrounding area to over 20,000 degrees Celsius. By comparison, the surface of the sun is only 6000 degrees Celsius.

Expanded Information Now Available for REACHReady Workshops

With the deadline for REACH and CLP fast approaching, many U.S. and non-EU companies will need to understand the implications this legislation will have on their business and the steps required for registration, notification, and reclassification of their products. Chemical Information Services and REACHReady will be presenting a pair of workshops designed to help companies properly register their substances.

REACH – What’s It All About? – September 14, 2010 –

Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel, Newark, NJ
The first session will focus on understanding and navigating the REACH registration process. Participants will receive a clear overview of the
regulation’s key elements, what it covers, responsibility levels along the supply chain, and how to submit their registration. REACH experts will
also address the following:

• What are the key steps in the REACH process
• Which chemical substances will be affected
• What REACH means for finished goods like clothing, furniture, construction

  products, motor vehicle parts, etc.
• What to do if a substance you produce is a Substance of Very High

 Concern (SVHC) on the “Candidate List”
• What special considerations will US companies need to address

REACH Registration Practicalities & CLP - September 15, 2010 –

Renaissance Newark Airport Hotel, Newark, NJ
For those who attend the first session, this workshop provides additional information on compliance with the new CLP (Classification, Labeling,
and Packaging) Regulation. This workshop will help you with the steps needed to complete a registration. Attendees will learn:

• How to get a LOA (Letter of Access)
• What sections to fill in for your IUCLID5 registration dossier
• How extensive a CSR (Chemical Safety Report) needs to be

For more information on these workshops, visit www.chemicalinfo.com

and click on “REACHReady Workshops” or inquire at
REACHinfo@chemicalinfo.com.

U.S. agriculture officials recently approved DuPont’s new soybean characteristic that could broaden uses in both commercial and consumer
markets. The company cleared the last step of the USDA’s regulatory process, gaining approval from the Department for cultivation of the
biotechnology product in the U.S.

Developed by DuPont’s Des Moines, Iowa-based Pioneer Hi-Bred business, the Plenish high oleic soybeans have the highest oleic acid content of any soybean product under commercial development. This trait boosts the stability of the oil from the soybean, increasing the flexibility in food applications and could lead to use as an alternative to petroleum-based lubricants, foams, and adhesives in industrial applications. The soybeans
will be grown under contract for ongoing field and oil testing in the U.S. and Canada this year and next year. DuPont anticipates full commercialization of the trait by 2012, depending on global regulatory approvals and ongoing field testing.

Altairnano Receives Department of Energy Grant

Reno, Nevada-based Altair Nanotechnologies, Inc. (Altairnano) was recently awarded a grant for $100,000 from the Department of Energy for battery research. The grant is part of the Department’s Small Business Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs and is proof of its commitment to developing and advancing domestic energy storage solution technologies. For the next six months, Altairnano will conduct research relating to the surface modification of electrode coatings in battery cells with the objective of increasing temperature and cycle life performance by decreasing reaction rates with the electrolyte.
 

Air Products Builds Hydrogen Plant in China

Air Products’ joint venture company based in Sichuan, China has signed the first-ever contract for outsourced hydrogen supply for a state-owned
refinery in China. The company will build a hydrogen production facility for PetroChina Company Limited, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies. The facility is expected to be on stream in early 2012 and will turn out over 90 million standard cubic feet per day of hydrogen. It will feature advancements to maximize facility energy efficiency and emission reductions. The steam methane reformer (SMR) will produce hydrogen and syngas to support PetroChina’s refinery and petrochemical facilities. The enhanced design of the SMR targets minimal loss of heat to the environment, reducing the quantity of natural gas required to make hydrogen.
 

GelTech Solutions FireIce® Product Continues Positive Progress

GelTech Solutions, Inc. recently announced that its product, FireIce®, continues to perform well in further tests conducted under U.S. Forest
Service Specification 5100-306a. FireIce® is a patent pending fire suppressant used for direct attack of fires as well as a medium term retardant for structure protection. It can be used in all types of apparatus including fire extinguishers, pumper trucks, and aerial units for wildfires as well as  home defense units for personal home protection.

The U.S. Forest Service specification 5100-306a is the testing procedure for 'water enhancers' to be used in wildland and wildland-urban interface
fire management. They may be applied from ground or aerial application equipment, directly to the fire area to slow or stop combustion, and for
exposure protection.

Ferro Expands Capabilities in Asia

Ferro Corporation is expanding its capability in Asia, specifically in its photovoltaic (PV) technology centers in Suzhou, China, Taipei, Taiwan and in Singapore. The expansion is part of the company’s wide-ranging plan to support growth in the Asian marketplace. The Suzhou facility is currently being expanded to meet the increased requirements of solar cell manufacturers in China. Completion of the new Advanced Technology Center in Taiwan is expected by the end of this year. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art solar cell printing and firing equipment. Both facilities will have the capability to build prototype solar cells. In Singapore, Ferro Electronic Materials has commissioned space to open a Center for Excellence, focused on development of new products to support the company’s growing solar materials product market in Southeast Asia.

Georgia Gulf Names Members to Senior Management Team

Georgia Gulf Corporation recently added three newly-created roles to its senior management roster. Tom Donahue has been named to the team as the company’s Vice President & Corporate Treasurer. For nearly two years, Mr. Donahue has been a consultant with the company, with primary roles in refinancing activities and Treasury duties. Prior to joining Georgia Gulf, he held various significant roles at other companies including Mobility Products Unlimited, Sensormatic Electronics Corporation, Citibank, and AT&T.

Dwain Wilcox is Georgia Gulf’s Vice President & Chief Information Officer. Mr. Wilcox has 20 years of Information Technology leadership experience including senior executive roles in the Supply Chain and Biopharmaceutical industries with CHEP, Millipore, and Serologicals Corporation.

Pat Quinlan has been named Director, Aromatics Business. His more than 30 years of chemical management experience include working with Sasol as General Manager – Comonomers and Managing Director - Sasol Chemicals North America. He has also worked with Conoco, Vista, and Condea Vista.

Kraton Polymers Names Gene Shiels as Director of Investor Relations

Global producer of styrenic block copolymers, Kraton Performance Polymers, Inc. has named Gene Shiels as its Director of Investor Relations. Mr. Shiels will report to the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Stephen E. Tremblay.

Mr. Shiels has over 20 years of combined financial and investor relations experience. Prior to joining Kraton, he served as Assistant Director of Investor Relations at Baker Hughes Incorporated, an international oil service company based in Houston, Texas.
 

Goodyear Announces Leadership Changes

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company recently announced that Damon Audia, Scott Honnold, and Jenny Wang have been named to new leadership positions. Audia was elected Senior Vice President of Finance for the company’s Asia Pacific region. Honnold was elected Vice President and Treasurer, replacing Mr. Audia in that role. He was previously the Assistant Treasurer. Jenny Wang has accepted a new position in Goodyear’s Asia Pacific operations.

Etimex Solar Acquired by Solutia

Solutia Inc. has completed its acquisition of Vistasolar® producer, Etimex Solar GmbH from Etimex Holding GmbH. Based in Germany, Etimex Solar produces Vistasolar® encapsulants, as well as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) encapsulants. The acquisition, valued at $294 million, was
funded with existing cash. Adding Vistasolar EVA to its Advanced Interlayer division positions Solutia as the sole provider of both major encapsulants to the photovoltaic industry. Solutia’s portfolio also includes Saflex PVB (polyvinyl butyral) interlayers for glass lamination. Solutia is a performance materials and specialty chemicals company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri.
 

H.B. Fuller Completes Acquisition of Revertex Finewaters

H.B. Fuller Company has completed its proposed acquisition of Malaysia’s Revertex Finewaters Sdn Bhd from Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.  Revertex is an industrial adhesives business that H.B. Fuller announced in March it intended to acquire. H.B. Fuller, a worldwide marketer and manufacturer of paints, sealants, adhesives, and other specialty chemical products, had a net revenue of $1.235 billion in fiscal year 2009. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, the company employs 3,100 people in 36 countries.

 

Converted Organics Reports Sales Growth of Organic Fertilizer

Converted Organics Inc. recently announced an increase in sales of its organic fertilizer products for the period of January 1 through May 31, 2009 over 2010. The 90% year-over-year sales growth is being attributed to demand for organic fertilizer, which provides reduced health and environmental risks. Such risks are often associated with chemical-based, synthetic fertilizers. Increased recognition of organic fertilizers being a safe and effective product is resulting in growers, retailers, lawn care providers, and consumers preferring them to traditional fertilizers as a method of improving crop yields. Converted Organics is based in Boston, Massachusetts and is known for its High Temperature Liquid Composting (HTLC) system for processing biodegradable food wastes. RCI Solar supplies a wide variety of solar storage tanks, controls, inverters, fan convectors, and ancillaries. In addition, the company sells complete turnkey renewable energy solutions based on three core products; Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) Panels, Solar Domestic Hot Water, and AQUA III Heating & Cooling System.
 

Songwon Group Reports Strong Q1 2010

Songwon Group achieved a net profit of 6.3 billion Korean Won for the first Quarter of 2010. A leading supplier of additives and other chemicals to the plastic industry, Songwon reported an increase in sales of 9% compared to the fourth Quarter of 2010. In addition, operating income is up by approximately 10% due to increased sales volume, price gains, and a favorable product mix. Based in Ulsan, Korea, Songwon continues to focus
on service, safety, product range extension, and cost competitiveness. Among their leading products are Songnox® Antioxidants, Songlight® Hindered Amine Light Stabilizers, Songsorb® Ultraviolet Light Absorbers, and Heat Stabilizers for the plastics industry.

Clariant Provides “Combibatch” Stadium Seating

South Africa awarded Clariant contracts to provide new stadium seating for the World Cup™ events taking place at Moses Mabhida Stadium, Peter Mokaba Stadium, and Loftus Versfeld Stadium. Clariant Masterbatches business unit supplies the polypropylene seats using compounded color, flame-retardants, and UV stabilizers, or “combibatches” – custom masterbatches containing color and one or more functional additives. These combibatches have been rigorously tested to withstand years of exposure to the South African sun.

Located in Italy, the Clariant Center of Technology for Additives has been producing masterbatches, particularly for use in stadium seats, since
1990.
 

Novartis’ Tasigna® Receives FDA Approval

After a priority review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Novartis’ Tasigna® received approval for the treatment of newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (PH+ CML). Tasigna® (nilotinib) is the first therapeutic option for treatment of PH+CML since Glivec® (imatinib) was introduced. Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, the approval was based on results of the ENESTnd (Evaluating Nilotinib Efficacy and Safety in Clinical Trials of Newly Diagnosed PH+ CML Patients) Phase III clinical trial. Tasigna® surpassed Glivec® in a randomized, open-label multicenter ENESTnd trial to receive FDA approval.
 

FDA Approves Sanofi-Aventis’ Jevtana® Injection

Sanofi-Aventis has received FDA marketing authorization for its Jevtana® (cabazitaxel) Injection. Used in combination with prednisone for the treatment of metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer (mHRPC), Jevtana® received approval after a priority review based on results from a Phase 3 TROPIC clinical study. The TROPIC Study showed a 30% reduction in the risk of death among mHRPC patients previously treated with a docetaxel-containing chemotherapy regimen when provided with the Jevtana® Injection in combination with prednisone.

As a leading global company, Sanofi-Aventis discovers, develops, and distributes therapeutic solutions to the pharmaceutical community.
 

Broad-Spectrum Herbicide Acquired by FMC Corporation

FMC Corporation recently announced the acquisition of a broad-spectrum herbicide from Kumiai Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and Ihara Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. Fluthiacet-methyl was being distributed in the United States by FMC under the brand name Cadet®. With the acquisition, FMC will now develop the herbicide globally as an early post-emergent for corn, cotton, and soybeans, as well as other tough-to-control broadleaf weeds with a resistance to glyphosates. FMC Corporation has served agricultural, consumer, and industrial markets for over a century. The company operates globally in three business segments, including agricultural products, industrial chemicals, and specialty chemicals.
 

Sherwin-Williams’ SherFlex Coating NSF Approved for Immersion Service

Sherwin-Williams recently announced that its SherFlex elastomeric polyurethane coating and lining system has been approved to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for use in potable water tanks of 3,000 gallons or greater. SherFlex is a high-build, impact and chemical resistant elastomeric polyurethane for coating concrete and steel potable water assets. If cured at 77 degrees F, owners can begin the disinfection process 24 hours later. It offers a flexible alternative to thin film epoxies that typically require a 5-7 day return to service interval and, because they are more brittle, are prone to cracking when steel and concrete expand and contract.

Estane® Engineered Polymers Expands Isoplast® Portfolio

Estane® Engineered Polymers, a business segment of Lubrizol Corporation, has expanded its Isoplast® product portfolio. Available in most regions of the world, the new Isoplast polymers include flame retardant grades, in addition to extrudable and co-extrudable grades of rigid plastics and are a durable substitute for polycarbonates or in cases where stress cracking, and tinting and coloring are difficult. Lubrizol offers a growing list of polymers with production facilities in U.S.A., Belgium, and China.
 

Solae Produces Patented Membrane Technology

Developer of soy-based ingredients for the food industry, Solae, recently launched Solae™ ALPHA® 5800 and ALPHA® 5812 soy protein concentrates made with its patented membrane technology. The products deliver a superior taste and smooth texture. The ALPHA® 5800 product line provides alternatives or compliments to dairy proteins and can be used in a variety of food and beverage products such as ready-to-drink and dry blended beverages, frozen desserts, puddings, cream fillings, cheeses, and yogurts. It could also be utilized in products with low to medium protein inclusion levels, as the protein content of these ingredients is 78 percent on a dry weight basis.

The ALPHA® 5800 product line uses proprietary membrane technology processing with water extraction. It offers many unique attributes that
differentiate it from whole bean extract. While it is higher in protein, it also is naturally lower in sodium, fat, and carbohydrates; it maintains
finished product consistency and produces formulation flexibility. In recent consumer sensory testing, both the ALPHA® 5800 and ALPHA® 5812
products were used in a soymilk product concept. They were rated significantly higher in flavor liking, mouthfeel liking, and aftertaste liking versus a soymilk concept using whole bean extract.

ACC Applauds Three Winners of Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) recently saluted three of its members — BASF Corporation, Dow, and Merck & Co., Inc. — for winning 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards The award recognizes innovations that incorporate the principles of “green chemistry” into the design, manufacture and use of products for pollution prevention. Dow and BASF won the Greener Synthetic Pathways Award for jointly developing a route that uses hydrogen peroxide to make propylene oxide, greatly reducing the waste, as well as the water and energy used in manufacturing propylene oxide. Merck & Co., together with Codexis, received the Greener Reaction Conditions Award for developing a second-generation synthesis of an ingredient in Type 2 diabetes medicine. The enzymatic process reduces waste, improves yield and safety, and eliminates the need for a metal catalyst.

Established in 1995, the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards Program is led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office
and Pollution Prevention and Toxics. An independent panel of technical experts convened by the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry
Institute judged award applications from individuals, groups, and nongovernmental organizations, both nonprofit and for profit. The ACC proudly noted that its member companies have been recognized with these awards nearly every year since the program’s inception.