Albemarle celebrates grand opening of shared services center in Dalian, China

May 24th, 2012

DALIAN, China, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB), a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of highly-engineered specialty chemicals, will celebrate the grand opening of its Asia-Pacific shared services center in Dalian, China today during a ceremony held at the facility.

Known as Albemarle’s Asia-Pacific Center of Excellence (CoE), the Dalian site was developed as part of the company’s “One Albemarle” strategy and complements the regional CoEs currently operating in Budapest, Hungary and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The CoEs are designed to standardize and streamline the company’s global processes, resulting in one automated, scalable global platform for Albemarle’s business which will reduce costs, improve productivity and better support the company’s growth.

Albemarle established specific criteria when selecting the location for the Asia-Pacific CoE. The company chose Dalian because of several factors, including:

  • The level of support and engagement that was received from the local community and government officials
  • Dalian’s unique geographical location between the Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea, making it an important international shipping hub and logistics center
  • The availability of a well-educated and experienced employee base to support strategic initiatives throughout the region.

“Albemarle is excited to celebrate the opening of our Asia-Pacific Center of Excellence, and we are pleased to be here in Dalian,” said Scott Tozier, Albemarle’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  “At Albemarle, our focus is on performance excellence in everything we do. This site will undoubtedly enable us to better serve our customers in the Asia-Pacific region. The exceptional local talent and the support of the local community and government made Dalian the ideal choice for this new CoE,” he added.

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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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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Green Flame Retardants Featured in Specialty Chemicals Magazine

April 2nd, 2012


Dr. Kumar G. Kumar gave SCM in-depth performance data about Albemarle’s upcoming eco-friendly flame retardant, GreenArmor. The flame retardant will be the first of a line of environmentally preferred products released by Albemarle under their Earthwise division.

Researchers like Dr. Kumar have developed stable low molecular weight brominated polymers using readily available raw materials. These polymers have a wide range of properties that can be tailored to offer specific physical and flame retardant performance in any given resin system. GreenArmor is the first of this new generation polymers and has high bromine content, better FR efficiency, is melt-blendable and can be used in both thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. Polymers flame retarded with GreenArmor have excellent mechanical and electrical properties, offer better thermal and color stability and have excellent recyclability.

This isn’t Dr. Kumar’s first time presenting on GreenArmor, and for more details you can view slides from his BCC presentation here, or read Dr. Kumar’s study here.

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Carbon Dioxide Emissions, an Opportunity to Transform the Volume of CO2?

March 21st, 2012

Carbon dioxide (CO2), which is released through the burning of gasoline and other fossil fuels, represents a significant threat to air quality and the environment.

However, some see reducing carbon dioxide emissions as an opportunity to transform the volume of CO2 that affects our earth.

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced six companies were selected to receive government and private funds for projects that develop processes to convert captured carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial sources into useful products.

One of the proposed processes will transform CO2 into polymers, a basic plastic compound, that can be used to make a wide range of products.

Novomer Inc. has teamed with Albemarle Corporation and Eastman Kodak Co. to use a new catalyst technology that permits carbon dioxide to react with petrochemicals and then create thermoplastic polymers. These polymers are the basis for a material that can be used to manufacture bottles, films, laminates, coatings on food and beverage cans, and in other wood and metal surface applications.

Capturing the carbon dioxide emitted through the consumption of fossil fuels and recycling it obviously reduces the CO2 emissions in the environment and has a major impact on air quality in the vicinity.

Fire safety blog from Earthwise- CO2 can be a useful product

Presently, carbon dioxide emissions from large power plants are captured and put in long-term storage underground, a process known as geologic sequestration.

Now, Novomer and its partners will use some of that CO2 inexpensively and turn it into a raw material for production of consumer and industrial packaging.

According to Novomer’s CEO Jim Mahoney, “It would be a much better use of carbon dioxide to turn it into something a company can develop a business around, rather than relying on government subsidies to bury it.”

In announcing the six awards, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said, “These innovative projects convert carbon pollution from a climate threat to an economic resource.”

This exciting innovation in carbon dioxide processing will likely yield many new products and applications, such as the plastic bottles pictured here, starting next year.

Do you know of any other innovative programs related to Carbon Dioxide Emissions?

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Albemarle’s PDC was recognized for its emissions reduction.

March 4th, 2012

Albemarle’s largest U.S.-based R&D location as well as a growing manufacturing facility, the Process Development Center (PDC) sits on a 36-acre site on Gulf States Road in Baton Rouge, LA., staffed with a dedicated team of Engineers, Chemists, Researchers, and Technologists.

At the PDC, Albemarle’s professionals perform fundamental research and product development in the laboratories, Pilot Plant Development, Market Development for initial commercialization, as well as full-scale Manufacturing. The PDC offers a unique combination of laboratory synthesis experience, scale-up capabilities, world class analytical capabilities, and versatile manufacturing processes. This combination allows the PDC to rapidly develop new products and processes, support process and product development for our customers, as well as for Albemarle Sites around the World.

Albemarle continues to make significant investments in the PDC to improve and expand Research and Development capabilities along with significant Manufacturing capacity to support the Polymer Solutions, Polymer Catalysts, Alternative Fuels, and Fine Chemicals businesses.

For information on Albemarle, click here.

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New Pollution Rules Will Benefit Business

January 17th, 2012

In regard to “Lisa Jackson’s Power Play” Review & Outlook, Dec. 22):

New air-quality standards will reduce emissions of mercury and other deadly toxics from power plants. Operators of coal-fired power plants claim new EPA standards will hurt our economy, but those claims are self-serving. Instead, listen to businesses not tied to the fossil fuel industry, and you’ll realize the opposite is true.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that for every $1 million invested in a construction project, 11 jobs are created. Under that formula, every $200 million invested in a coal-fired power plant to update its pollution controls will create 2,200 jobs.

Coal-fired power plants produce about half of all mercury and more than 75% of all acid-gas emissions. Reducing these toxics is expected to save up to 11,000 lives and avoid 540,000 lost work and school days due to health problems. This will prevent an estimated $90 billion in health costs annually—a benefit that all businesses can carry to their bottom lines.

Pollution is a drag on the economy and a liability for any business seeking to remain competitive.

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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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Critical Progress at INC3 in Nairobi, Kenya on Reducing Hg Emissions from Coal-Fired Power Plants

December 6th, 2011

In February 2009, the Governing Council of UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) agreed on the need to develop a global legally binding instrument on mercury. The work to prepare this instrument is undertaken by an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) supported by the Chemicals Branch of the UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics as secretariat.  The goal is to complete the negotiations before the twenty-seventh regular session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in 2013.

A representative of Albemarle Corporation recently attended the INC3 in Nairobi, Kenya, regarding atmospheric Hg emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The event was chaired by committee-elected Mr. Fernando Lugris from Uruguay and attracted over 500 participants representing governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental as well as non-governmental organizations and industry. It was the third of five meeting to be held before 2013 in order to prepare a global legally binding instrument on mercury.

INC Chair Mr. Fernando Lugris (Uruguay)

Conference highlights
While there are still deep opposing views between developed and developing countries on whether control measures should be mandatory or voluntary, they agreed to apply the Best Available Technique (BAT) approach as suggested by the EU.

INC3 plenary in Nairobi

During the week, delegates conducted negotiations and review on a collaborative new draft addressing key issues. The latest text will be the basis for discussion at INC4. Despite the emergence of clear divisions on critical issues and concerns among delegates, INC3 closed on a positive note. In their closing statements, many delegates cited the meeting’s accomplishments and underscored their commitment to constructive participation in the next stage of negotiations.

Division on the path forward
The matter of atmospheric emissions is a complex issue and has no shortage of dividing views including:

should the control measures protocol be voluntary or mandatory, and what is the best financial mechanism to support parties’ implementation of their obligations.

Views from developing countries
Invoking the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, several developing countries (notably China, India and Brazil) argued that mandatory control measures failed to account for socio-economic realities, and were thus both inappropriate and unrealistic.

In contrast, developed countries such as the U.S., the EU, Japan, Norway, Switzerland or Canada argued that this instrument is intended to be legally-binding, and that voluntary measures will undermine the success of the convention in critical areas, such as reducing atmospheric emissions of mercury.

The main sources of anthropogenic atmospheric emissions are coal-fired power plants, which many developing countries consider to be the biggest drivers of industrial development. However, delegates could agree to follow the Best Available Technique (BAT) approach that was proposed by the EU.

Will INC4 produce a compromise on this critical aspect to reduce athropogenic Hg emissions to the atmosphere from coal-fired power plants?

Stay tuned.

For more information on INC see the UNEP homepage on mercury.
Meetings scheduled:

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Fire retardants may not harm newborns’ thyroids

December 1st, 2011

By Andrew M. Seaman (Reuters Health)
NEW YORK | Fri Nov 11, 2011 8:46pm EST

Despite concerns that common fireproofing chemicals could disrupt thyroid function in developing fetuses, a new study finds no link between thyroid hormone levels and flame retardants in the blood of newborn babies.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, leach out of common household items, such as carpets and couch cushions, and are absorbed by people. Detectable in the blood of 97 percent of Americans, the chemicals have been linked to a range of complications, including disrupted thyroid function in pregnant women.

See full article

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The Use of Flame Retardants in Plastics Continues to Save Lives

November 28th, 2011

European Flame Retardants Association published new report.

About EFRA
Since 1990, EFRA (The European Flame Retardants Association) brings together the leading companies which manufacture or market flame retardants in Europe. EFRA covers all types of flame retardants: chemicals based on bromine, chlorine, phosphorus, nitrogen and inorganic compounds.

Excerpt from Report
The use of plastic in homes and offices can pose as a fire risk globally and it is important for our personal safety to know how these substances effect us and what we can do about it.

Many electrical and electronic application devices contain 1 to 9 Kg of plastic materials. These materials are often used in thin sheets and somewhat easy to ignite when in contact with internal and external electrical current and heat sources.

Adding flame retardants to plastic or other combustible materials allows the resistance of ignition from inside the equipment and sources close to the equipment. Flame retardants must also allow other functional, aesthetic and ecological requirements to be met, with minimal impact on the final cost of the goods. These substances also increase resistance to fire for combustible materials and are often combined in the same material to maximize performance in fire safety.

For more information on the use of flame retardants, view Albemarle.com and Earthwisefiresafety.com.

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