Albemarle Supports EPA Efforts to Address PBDEs

July 12th, 2012

BATON ROUGE, La., July 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – In a letter to Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) today offered its support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to finalize its proposed actions on Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Such action will ensure that decaBDE will not be imported into the United States after December 31, 2013.

In the letter, Dr. David Clary, Albemarle’s Chief Sustainability Officer, commented, “Albemarle supports the EPA proposal to amend the PBDE SNUR to designate manufacturing, importing, or processing of decaBDE for any use which is not ongoing after December 31, 2013 as a significant new use.  Further, Albemarle supports the EPA’s efforts to promulgate a test rule for PBDEs if it determines that manufacture (including import) or processing of PBDEs has not ceased by December 31, 2013.”

Albemarle, in cooperation with the EPA, announced a voluntary phase out of its production of decaBDE in 2009.  The company is on schedule to cease commercial production of decaBDE entirely by the end of 2012 in accordance with its agreement with EPA and will limit commercial sales within the United States in 2013 to only transportation and military applications requiring that additional transition time.

While many science-based and peer-reviewed studies have shown decaBDE to be safe in its intended use, Albemarle is committed to delivering safe and effective products with increasingly smaller environmental footprints.  The company’s proactive innovation has allowed it to bring two polymeric flame retardants to market in the last few years:  GreenArmor and GreenCrest.  These polymeric flame retardants, marketed under the Earthwise™ portfolio, represent the latest fire safety technology and provide additional certainty about product safety as they can’t be absorbed by animal or human cells.  GreenCrest has successfully completed review by EPA’s New Chemicals Program and GreenArmor has been submitted for such a review.

About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemistry. Corporate Responsibility Magazine selected Albemarle to its prestigious “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list for 2010 and 2011.  Albemarle employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Albemarle regularly posts information to www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, Regulation G reconciliations, SEC filings, and other information regarding the Company, its businesses and the markets we serve.

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Siemens Develop ABS Plastic Alternative

June 8th, 2012

Researchers at technology company Siemens have developed an alternative material to polystyrene-based acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) plastic made from renewable-based polymers and carbon dioxide.

The new material — a result of a three-year project funded by the German Research Ministry and in collaboration with BASF, Munich Techical University and the University of Hamburg scientists — is a mixture of polyhdroxybutyrate (PHB) bioplastic and carbon dioxide-based polypropylene carbonate (PPC) (containing 43% by weight CO2) supplied by BASF.

According to the press release, the new composite polymer has more than 70% renewable-based content. Bosch-Siemens-Hausgeräte (BSH) demonstrated its performance by using the material to make a vacuum cleaner cover under series-production conditions. In cooperation with BSH and BASF, the Siemens researchers now want to examine whether they can replace other types of plastic used by BSH with CO2-based composite materials.

Source: Icis

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1500 Polymers Entries in Industry from A to Z

April 27th, 2012

A new addition to the John Wiley and Sons Ltd’s was announced on Wednesday, April 18th. This reference book contains 1500 across-the-board polymer entries and summarizes the overview of all materials, manufacture, structure and architecture, properties, processing, and applications. Now scientists will be able to comprehend the effects of their work and polymer technologists, engineers, and designers will discover the theoretical background. This personal reference for anyone studying or working within the field is fundamental information of concepts and application.

Key Topics Covered:

A Abrasion Non-resistance Copolymerization B Back-Flow Butyl Rubber C Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3)Cyanate Ester D DABCO Dynamic Vulcanization E Effective Modulus Eyring Equation F Fabrication Fusion Promoter G Gate Gutta Percha H Halogenated Fire Retardant Hyperbranched Polymer I Impact ModifierIzod Impact Test J J integral Joint K K Value Kneading L Lamella L?der Lines M M100 and M300Mylar N Nafion Nylon Screw O Oil Absorption Ozone P Paint Pyrolysis Q Q Meter Quinone Structure R Rabinowitsch Equation Rutile S Sag Syntactic Foam T TackTyre Construction U Ubbelohde ViscometerUV Stabilizer V Vacuum Forming Vulcanization W Wall SlipWork of Adhesion X X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)Xenon Arc Lamp Y Y Calibration Factor Young.s Modulus Z Z-Blade Mixer Zisman Plot

For more information on this handy all-in-one volume, click here.

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Albemarle Introduces Next Product in the Earthwise Portfolio of Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Solutions

April 12th, 2012

Innovative polymeric fire safety solution is result of technology license from Dow

(BATON ROUGE, La.) April 12, 2011–Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of flame retardants, announced today that it has expanded its Earthwise™ platform of sustainable products by introducing a new polymeric flame retardant for use in extruded (XPS) and expanded (EPS) polystyrene applications.

This new technology, licensed from Dow Global Technologies LLC (DGTL), a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), will be commercialized under Albemarle’s Earthwise brand and provides a stable, high molecular weight, non-PBT (Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic) polymeric technology for use in these demanding applications. This new technology is expected to become the preferred choice to meet critical fire safety requirements for both XPS and EPS.

Albemarle’s agreement to manufacture and sell this premium technology confirms the company’s commitment to provide customers with sustainable, innovative fire safety solutions that meet the increasing demands of global regulations and standards, such as energy efficiency and sustainable design for these thermal insulation materials.

“This expansion of our Earthwise portfolio is another sign of our position as the industry leader in flame retardants, and joins our other key polymeric platforms, Green Armor™ and our family of brominated polystyrene products, SAYTEX® HP-3010, HP-7010 and 621,” said Brian Carter, Division Vice President of global brominated flame retardants.  “Albemarle expects to commercialize this new technology in 2014 and is already working closely with customers to fully qualify the product in both applications.”

Albemarle’s flame retardant business is part of the Company’s fire safety solutions within the Polymer Solutions business segment.

About Albemarle
Albemarle Corporation, headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a leading global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals for consumer electronics, petroleum refining, utilities, packaging, construction, automotive/transportation, pharmaceuticals, crop protection, food-safety and custom chemistry services. The Company is committed to global sustainability and is advancing its eco-practices and solutions in its three business segments, Polymer Solutions, Catalysts and Fine Chemistry. Corporate Responsibility Magazine selected Albemarle to its prestigious “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list for 2010 and 2011.  Albemarle employs approximately 4,000 people and serves customers in approximately 100 countries. Albemarle regularly posts information to www.albemarle.com, including notification of events, news, financial performance, investor presentations and webcasts, Regulation G reconciliations, SEC filings, and other information regarding the Company, its businesses and the markets we serve.

Whether consumers are watching a television, sitting on a sofa, taking a commercial airline flight, or swallowing ibuprofen to relieve a headache, Albemarle products are there making lives safer and more livable.  For more information, visit www.earthwiseinside.com.

Albemarle Media Contact:  Ashley Mendoza, (225) 388-7137, Ashley.Mendoza@albemarle.com

Albemarle Investor Relations Contact: Lorin Crenshaw, (225) 388-7322, Lorin.Crenshaw@albemarle.com

About The Dow Chemical Company
Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of $60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

The Dow Chemical Company Media Contact:  Erik van Oosten, (989) 636-5090, evanoosten@dow.com

“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Albemarle Corporation’s business that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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Green Polymer Chemistry Conference Takes Place in March 2012

December 26th, 2011

AMI’s 1st international conference on Green Chemistry in the polymer industry will take place from 20-22 March 2012 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. Green Polymer Chemistry 2012 provides a forum for environment and sustainability managers, business development professionals, chemical engineers, plastics manufacturers, researchers, and suppliers to the industry to debate the latest developments in producing conventional polymers from sustainable sources such as plants, waste and CO2. There is a welcome reception on the first evening followed by a 2-day programme of presentations.

Conventional plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PET and nylon, have a well-established performance record in protecting and preserving food and water supplies worldwide, from high pressure pipes to thin film packaging.  The global population is expanding rapidly and fossil fuel supplies are dwindling, so the polymer supply chain needs to find alternative feedstocks to be sustainable.

For more information, visit the AMI website here.

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Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company Breaks Ground on Jubail Aluminum Alkyls Facility

October 25th, 2011

JUBAIL, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –

Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company (SOCC), a joint venture equally owned by Albemarle Netherlands B.V., a subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) , and SABIC affiliate, SPECIALTY CHEM (Saudi Specialty Chemical Company), held a groundbreaking ceremony on September 18, 2011 to initiate the construction of a new aluminum alkyls manufacturing facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

Representatives from Albemarle, Samsung Engineering, SABIC, SOCC and SPECIALTY CHEM as well as a number of regional customers attended the ceremony. During the celebration, executive leaders from each company discussed the regional economic benefits that are expected as a result of the project. The facility is projected to create a number of new jobs, 80% of which will be reserved for Saudi nationals in accordance with the country’s Saudization policy.

During his opening remarks, Koos Van Haasteren, Executive Vice President of SABIC Performance Chemicals, expressed his enthusiasm for the project and for the opportunity to collaborate with the partnering companies, “We are proud of our partner, Albemarle Corporation, which has a proven track record of maintaining in-depth relationships with customers and a good record in social responsibility,” said Van Haasteren. He also praised Samsung’s commitment to delivering the project safely, on time, and on budget.

“Albemarle is delighted to join SABIC in a venture to provide key catalyst raw materials to our customers in one of the highest growth regions in the world for petrochemical production,” said John Steitz, Albemarle’s Chief Operating Officer.

Khalil Ibrahim Ibn Salamah, SOCC’s Chairman of the Board, described the project as a natural extension of the growth being experienced by the regional petrochemical industry. He also expressed his commitment to recruiting and training a local workforce to help operate the facilities.

The construction phase of the new project, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2012. The facility will manufacture 6,000 metric tons/yr of tri-ethyl aluminum (TEA), a Ziegler Natta co-catalyst used in the plastics industry. The plant is being built at this location to bring TEA production closer to the end-users, thus supporting growing regional demand.

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Will the Electronic Manufacturing Supply Chain be Impacted by Two Proposed Environmental Equipment Standards?

August 17th, 2011

Two IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) standards on setting criteria for environmentally preferable electronic equipment were voted for: 1680.2 Draft Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment and 1680.3 Draft Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Televisions. In these draft standards, halogenated flame retardants are being required to be eliminated in housings (optional for TVs) or are an optional criteria for printed board elimination or total elimination for “environmental” electronics throughout the supply chain as well as establishing precedent for future IEEE EPEAT standards.

EPEAT is the global registry for greener electronics, covering the most products from the broadest range of manufacturers and combines comprehensive criteria for design, production, energy use and recycling with ongoing independent verification of manufacturer claims. More than 45 participating manufacturers currently register over 3,200 unique products across 41 countries. Hundreds of purchasers—including eight national governments, dozens of states and provinces, some 200 universities, and enterprise purchasers have established EPEAT requirements for more than $65 billion and counting in purchasing commitments.

Industry members who participated in the balloting process will ensure that these standards maintain IEEE’s tradition of technically and scientifically based standards and need a 75% approval in this IEEE voting process.

Reasons why some of these proposals are bad idea?

  • Criteria is in no way based on sound science
  • Many halogenated flame retardants have undergone extensive testing and are safe for continued use
  • These criteria do not address the concerns of alternatives to BFR/CFR/PVC that would be used
  • The results of these criteria could be the substitution of a known, safe material, to an untested material that has serious issues for Human Health and the Environment

What do you think? Let us know!

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Albemarle Corporation Attended Europe’s Annual Green Week Conference

June 22nd, 2011

On May 24th – May 27th, Albemarle attended Green Week 2011, Europe’s biggest annual environmental conference which is hosted by the European Commission’s DG ENV. This year’s focus was on “Resource Efficiency – Using less, living better”, encouraging a shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon, low-waste economy to achieve sustainable growth.

During Green Week, there were 40 sessions (presentations and discussion rounds), followed by an exhibition with over 50 stands from companies. industry, NGOs and public authorities. Participants also represented EU institutions, the scientific community and the media.

Sustainability topics ran the gamut of industries and markets. Albemarle attended presentations and discussions on phosphorous depletion, green chemistry, sustainable consumption and production (SCP), as well as Green Public Procurement (GPP).

Some of the Presentations/discussion panels included:

If you missed the event and want to learn more about Europe’s sustainability progress, visit the Green Week 2011 site.

For more on Albemarle’s sustainability initiatives, visit the Albemarle and the Earthwise sites.

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Posted in Brominated Flame Retardants, Company Information, Conferences, Eco-friendly flame retardant, European Flame Retardant Association, Green Chemistry, In the news, Plastics, Uncategorized, albemarle, fire safety

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When the EPA Regulates Flame-Retardants, the Risk of Fire Injuries Increases.

May 19th, 2011

Only a few flame-retardants are left on the market for consumers to purchase; yet humans need these chemicals to prevent injuries and deaths from fire. The EPA suggests the environment and living organisms suffer from flame retardants, although there are no significant evidence or any claims that causes human death or disease. Because the EPA and alike do not know the full impact these chemicals have, they decide to ban them anyways and risk the lives of many. Read full report here.

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Earthwise Fire Safety Monthly Wrap Up: April

May 3rd, 2011

Earthwise Fire Safety is your source for eco-friendly, fire safety solutions. Covering flame retardants used to enhance many consumer and commercial products, textiles and electronics, airplane and automobile interiors – these are our primary focuses.

Check out April’s posts concerning efforts to improve fire safety solution performance while being safe for the environment and all living beings.

Earthwise is a division of Albemarle. Our goal is to provide buyers of flame retardant solutions and the trade industry with timely and valuable insight.

Interested in green business ideas? Check out Our Green Lab or find us on LinkedIn.

Looking for safety tips that can help prevent fires, fire-related deaths and injuries? View Fire Safety For All.

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