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Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals News

Davies to follow up on Saudi Arabia’s $10bn investment pledge

By: Simone Liedtke 1st October 2018 Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies will, this week, co-chair the eighth session of the South Africa-Saudi Arabia Joint Economic Commission (JEC), in Saudi Arabia, while simultaneously following up on Saudi Arabia’s $10-billion investment pledge to South Africa. This session of the JEC will... →

Solidarity says Sasol’s Khanyisa in breach of Mining Charter 3

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th September 2018 Trade union Solidarity is of the view that petrochemicals giant Sasol now finds itself on the wrong side of Mining Charter 3, which was gazetted this week. According to the charter, employees must share in company shareholding and all employees must benefit from employee share ownership plans.... →

Ascendis launches new strategic focus, announces positive FY18 results

By: Nadine James 25th September 2018 JSE-listed pharmaceutical company Ascendis Health on Tuesday announced a new strategic focus prioritising pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare. The company, which also reported on its results for the financial year ended June 30, plans to divest its biosciences businesses. →

CEO Thomas Thomsen discussing the company's new strategy and the need for divestment. Video and editing: Nicholas Boyd

Sasol, Solidarity unable to reach agreement

By: Schalk Burger 19th September 2018 Trade union Solidarity and petrochemicals major Sasol were unable to reach an agreement during talks at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) on Wednesday. Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann said the mediation was deferred to get more clarity on the final Mining Charter’s... →

Rolfes to drive new products, regional footprint growth in FY19

By: Marleny Arnoldi 18th September 2018 JSE-listed chemical specialist Rolfes Holdings has reported steady progress on strategic and foundational issues during the financial year ended June 30. It declared a final dividend of 4c apiece, maintaining full-year dividend guidance of 8c apiece. →

Rolfes CEO Richard Buttle

In situ measurement of hydrogen made possible

14th September 2018 The reliable in situ measurement of hydrogen in multiple gas process streams is something that refinery and petrochemical plant process control engineers would like to have been able to do previously, but have never had the capability to, until this year. In a global first, Norwegian laser-based... →

HYDROGEN ANALYSER Neo Monitors has developed a method of measuring hydrogen in situ – the LaserGas II SP H2

Aspen sells global nutritional business

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 13th September 2018 Pharmaceutical manufacturer and supplier Aspen has concluded an agreement to sell its global nutritional business to French-based multinational dairy corporation Lactalis Group for a fully funded cash consideration of €739.8-million, or about R12.9-billion. The company disclosed this during a... →

Aspen mulls sale of infant formula unit

By: Reuters 11th September 2018 South African drug maker Aspen Pharmacare said on Tuesday it was in discussions to sell its global infant formula business, but did not give any further details. Aspen's infant milk formula business sells infant milk formula in the Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, and has a... →

Sasol, Indian companies join EP100 global energy saving initiative

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th September 2018 Petrochemicals giant Sasol and Indian companies UltraTech Cement, Mahindra Vehicle Manufacturers, Mahindra Heavy Engines and Godrej Industries and Associate Companies (Gilac) on Monday pledged to put energy efficiency at the heart of their business growth strategies by joining EP100. EP100 is a... →

Afrox achieves double-digit HEPS growth amid subdued economic environment

By: Simone Liedtke 10th September 2018 Despite low economic growth in the six months to June 30, JSE-listed African Oxygen (Afrox) achieved double-digit growth in its headline earnings per share (HEPS) to 104c, representing an increase of 11.5% from the HEPS of 93.3c recorded for the six months to June 30, 2017. Referring to the... →

African Oxygen (Afrox) MD Schalk Venter speaks to Engineering News Online about the company’s interim results, and upcoming investment plans. Video & Editing: Darlene Creamer

Solidarity CE writes open letter to Sasol directors amid ongoing strike

By: Marleny Arnoldi 10th September 2018 Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann has written an open letter to two Sasol directors, on the eve of the union’s lawsuit to seek approval for a Section 77 application at the High Court, which will enable all the union’s members nationwide to strike along with those members employed at Sasol, who have... →

Solidarity CE Dr Dirk Hermann

Tribunal confirms Omnia’s R30m penalty in 2003 Nutri-Flow complaint

By: Marleny Arnoldi 7th September 2018 The Competition Tribunal has confirmed the settlement agreement between Omnia Fertilizer and the Competition Commission, in which the Omnia Holdings subsidiary agreed to an administrative penalty of R30-million. The agreement stemmed from a 2003 complaint lodged by small fertilizer blender and... →

Sasol develops new IT solution for head office

7th September 2018 In partnership with integrated energy and chemical company Sasol’s Information Management Services (IMS) to develop and deliver an integrated information technology (IT) solution for its new head office, professional services company Turner & Townsend has helped Sasol – which is involved in... →

FLEXIBLE TECHNOLOGY The use of flexible technology will make future refurbishments less complicated

Sasol launches contingency plan in light of Solidarity strike over share scheme

By: Simone Liedtke 3rd September 2018 Petrochemicals company Sasol on Monday said it had activated contingency measures to minimise potential disruption to its operations, in light of trade union Solidarity’s plans to strike. Currently, parts of Sasol’s Secunda and Sasolburg operations are undergoing planned maintenance shutdowns,... →

Go Life acquires Wellness Brands, other Ascendis Health assets

By: Marleny Arnoldi 3rd September 2018 JSE-listed Go Life International and its subsidiary Go Life Healthcare have entered into two agreements with Ascendis Health, to acquire the Wellness Brands – the Biobalance, Foodstate, Osteoflex and Homeoforce brands – and 100% of the shares and claims in Sportron, Heritage Resources, Ascendis... →

White workers at Sasol launch 'go-slow' ahead of Thursday strike over black staff scheme

By: Reuters 3rd September 2018 Workers from South Africa's mainly white Solidarity union started a go-slow protest at petrochemicals firm Sasol over a share scheme offered exclusively to black staff, and will launch a full strike on Thursday. The Solidarity union also said it will file a complaint to US regulators over Sasol's... →

Adcock Ingram’s HEPS rise 25.5%, despite economic, consumer headwinds

By: Simone Liedtke 29th August 2018 JSE-listed Adcock Ingram reported headline earnings per share (HEPS) from continuing operations of 387.7c for the year ended June 30, representing a year-on-year increase of 25.5%. Headline earnings for the period were R644.7-million, up from R513.7-million in the prior financial year. →

MSQ, Coega SEZ to build R100m medical device factory

By: Shirley le Guern 28th August 2018 South African healthcare company MSQ is positioning itself to become South Africa’s third active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturer. The company, which has set its sights on becoming a market leader in a sector dominated by imports, has teamed up with the Coega Special Economic Zone... →

Coega SEZ portfolio developer Asanda Vos, MSQ director Themba Nyembezi, MSQ CEO Dr Nhlanhla Msomi, Coega SEZ business development executive director Christopher Mashigo, MSQ COO Dr Carl Montague, MSQ manufacturing operations manager Mzingisi Tshicila and MSQ Pharma MD Glen Sullivan.

Solidarity to strike at Sasol over black staff scheme

By: Reuters 28th August 2018 South Africa's mainly white Solidarity union has given Sasol a 48-hour notice to strike over the energy giant's plan to launch a share ownership scheme exclusively for black staff, the union said on Tuesday. "This type of crude racial exclusion cannot be tolerated any longer. These white workers... →

Majority of Solidarity members at Sasol Secunda in favour of proposed strike

By: Marleny Arnoldi 27th August 2018 Eighty-three per cent of trade union Solidarity’s members at petrochemicals giant Sasol’s Secunda operations have voted in favour of strike action regarding Sasol’s exclusion of white employees from an employee share ownership plan. Solidarity is also planning a national protest in which... →

Company gets new foam-dosing trailer system

By: Melissa Zisengwe 24th August 2018 For three consecutive years, fire protection equipment supplier DoseTech and Germany-based dosing technology company FireDos have supplied the latest portable foam fire-protection system to an integrated chemicals and energy company, states DoseTech MD Mike Feldon. →

Veolia opens export-competitive factory in Ekurhuleni

23rd August 2018 Veolia Water Technologies South Africa has opened a chemical production facility in Pomona, Kempton Park that is set to export to Veolia’s clients throughout Africa, owing to its competitive costs of production compared with other Veolia chemical production facilities. →

Veolia opens export-competitive factory in Ekurhuleni

Adcock Ingram expects to report higher FY18 earnings

By: Marleny Arnoldi 21st August 2018 JSE-listed pharmaceutical company Adcock Ingram expects its earnings per share (EPS) from total operations to be increase by between 14.1% and 15.7% to between R3.80 and R3.85 for the financial year ended June 30. This compares with EPS of R3.32 reported for the 2017 financial year. →

Sasol says earnings down 22% in year to June

By: African News Agency 20th August 2018 Global integrated chemicals and energy company Sasol said on Monday its headline earnings per share dropped 22% to R27.44 in the year to June 30. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization rose 10% to R52-billion and the company declared a dividend per share of R12.90. →

Do-it-yourself works for Pratley as it turns 70

By: Schalk Burger 10th August 2018 Full control over raw-material sources, production and packaging, as well as the in-house expertise that this stimulates, enables the Pratley group of companies to develop innovative products, ensure quality control and grow, says Pratley CEO Kim Pratley. The company, which produces a well-known... →

KIM PRATLEY Our laboratory provides the synergies of the business

Ongoing waterproofing for Innovation Hub campus

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 10th August 2018 Speciality chemicals manufacturer a.b.e. Construction Chemicals continues to provide large volumes of polyurea coating for the waterproofing of an expansive roof of one of the Innovation Hub campus’ new buildings in Gaborone, Botswana. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the... →

COMPLETE COATING The waterproofing of an expansive roof of one of the Botswana Innovation Hub campus’ new buildings is about 90% complete

New-configuration valve creates export potential

By: Halima Frost 10th August 2018 South African thermoplastic valves supplier Astore Keymak has placed an order for about 30 redesigned FK industrial butterfly valves (FK d90) from its Italy-based supplier Formatura Iniezione Polimeri (FIP) Valves, with first shipment expected later this year. The valves will be added to the... →

THE MORE THE MERRIER The new hole configuration of the FK d90 industrial butterfly valve allows for better placement

Unique design solution for 92 Rivonia Road project

By: Melissa Zisengwe 3rd August 2018 Formwork and scaffolding manufacturer PERI South Africa was able to supply a unique design solution for the challenging 92 Rivonia Road mixed-use development. This allowed main contractor WBHO to come to grips with the striking ‘feature brows’ at the project, lead engineer: key and strategic... →

A UNIQUE CHALLENGE The project was a major challenge from a structural and architectural point of view

Solutions engender safety and reliability for chemical fasteners

2nd August 2018 Construction industry service and technology provider Hilti South Africa is offering two innovative technologies – the HIT-Z rod and advanced on-site testing – to ensure safety and reliability for chemical fasteners. Tasneem Bulbulia tells us more. →

Solutions engender safety and reliability for chemical fasteners

D2M system grows its Plascon Acryline range

By: Halima Frost 27th July 2018 Owing to global demand for smarter painting systems that are cost effective and reduce process time, coatings company Kansai Plascon has introduced its Acryline Direct-2-Metal (D2M) system of automotive paints, which is considered as one of South Africa’s leading commercial-vehicle (CV) coating... →

A RAINBOW OF COLOURS Kansai Plascon’s D2M range is available in thousands of different hues

Necsa, Rosatom subsidiary partner on nuclear medicine

By: Anine Kilian 26th July 2018 The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) and Rusatom Healthcare, the healthcare division of Russian State-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom, on Thursday signed an agreement to cooperate with each other on nonpower-related uses of nuclear technology. The agreement, which is based on... →

Necsa CEO Phumzile Tshelane, Necsa chairperson Dr Kelvin Kemm and Rusatom Healthcare director-general Denis Cherednichenko

AECI achieves strong H1 performance

By: Anine Kilian 25th July 2018 JSE-listed AECI on Wednesday reported positive financial results for the six months ended June 30. Together with contributions from the acquisitions of Schirm and Much Asphalt in February and April respectively, AECI increased its revenue by 24% to R10.47-billion and profit from operations by 35%... →

Entire world to benefit from cheaper TB drug

By: African News Agency 25th July 2018 The entire world will benefit from a price cut of a TB wonder drug, following successful negotiations between South Africa and pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson. This follows an agreement reached over the weekend between Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and pharmaceutical company Johnson &... →

Electricity interruptions impact on Sasol’s FY18 production performance

By: Marleny Arnoldi 20th July 2018 Several unplanned electricity supply interruptions and two internal outages at its Secunda synfuels operations, resulted in lower production volumes for petrochemicals group Sasol for the financial year ended June 30. In a trading update published on Friday, the company said its earnings before... →

New zero-discharge chemical production facility opens in Pomona

By: Schalk Burger 20th July 2018 The new 6 600 m2 chemical production facility of multinational Veolia Water Technologies South Africa, in Pomona, Kempton Park is the main blending facility for the company’s local operations, and is also set to export to Veolia’s clients throughout Africa, owing to its competitive costs of... →

MOBILE WATER TREATMENT PLANT The 4x4 mobile water treatment plant purifies water from any available source for remote communities

Sappi to build xylitol, furfural production demo plant

By: Creamer Media Reporter 18th July 2018 Pulp and paper producer Sappi has decided to build a demonstration plant to further scale up its novel Xylex technology for the production of xylitol and furfural. The plant, which will become operational in early 2019, will be located adjacent to the existing sugars and lignin extraction plant... →

Chemicals factory to support value chain opened in Maluti-a-Phofong SEZ

By: Schalk Burger 6th July 2018 An industrial chemicals factory opened in the Maluti-a-Phofong special economic zone (SEZ), in Harrismith, Free State, will play a key intermediate role in supporting the value chains that pass through this transport node, says the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Chemicals and Textiles... →

KEVALI FACTORY IN HARRISMITH Visitors and dignitaries tour the new chemicals factory in July

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