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Issue 04/2005
Release date: 11/29/2005
Production
Boosting the Competitive Strength of the European Chemicals  Part 2
Investment budgets are strictly limited in the European chemicals industry; therefore, only minimal improvements can be expected in plant technology for the future. Existing plan structures need to be operated more efficiently. Possible control levers can be identified by means of a comprehensive and systematic analysis, providing the basis for developing a suitable plant concept.
Traceability in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Production
Companies whose systems comply with the requirements of the U.S. pharmaceutical regulations are ready for unforeseen occurrences, because they have electronic signatures and audit-trail functions in place. Continuous process documentation of all relevant activities and involvements, from goods receiving through to shipping, and its retrievability are of the utmost importance.
Portable Ex-PCs for Process Visualisation
Because of the progressive changes in plant configuration (multi-purpose plant), flexible and mobile system solutions are stipulated for use in the Ex area in accordance with category II 2G (Zone 1). Portable iPC operating stations satisfy the requirement for flexible positioning.
Front Page
Holding It All Together
The market for process automation systems is becoming a particularly challenging business, where differentiation is increasingly difficult. The MTL Instruments Group is one company that has successfully developed a niche for itself as an automation hardware infrastructure provider while avoiding direct competition with large process automation solution providers or field instrumentation suppliers.
Production
The Wizard of Ease
Intelligent field devices have often failed to optimise operator control in the interests of the user. Krohne took up this particular discrepancy as a challenge when developing their new level and flow measuring devices.
Logistics
Stone-Cold Facts
The pharmaceutical industry as a whole faces the challenging situation of balancing the marketÂs needs, demanding increased speed to market and their own constant focus of ensuring the safety and quality of their products. Time-sensitive, high value products is often transported by air cargo, but historically, no single standard method of shipping exist; each solution needs to be individually tailored.
Front Page
Economic Report
Logistics
Shifting Production to Eastern Europe
Go East: Numerous companies in the chemical industry have to deal with the idea of relocating eastwards. However, unlike the textile or automotive industry, where this kind of move involves potentially major savings, this is not relevant to the chemical industry to such a great extent. Even though plans to relocate are not as significant in the chemical industry, there is certainly a clear trend towards splitting production facilities into industrial and basic chemicals on the one hand and specialty chemicals on the other.
Industrial Locations
Beyond Bagpipes and Kilts
From John Hunter to Dolly  Scotland has a long-standing history of being a centre of excellence for life sciences.
Front Page
REACH: MEPs Strike a Balance
Industrial Locations
EuropeÂs Chemical Regions Hold a Pow Wow
How can the objectives of a cleaner environment, higher innovation capacity and competitiveness in the enlarged EU under difficult economic conditions be met? Participants at the third European Congress of Chemical Regions strove to answer this question.
Front Page
Time for a Change
Ciba Specialty Chemicals has adapted the structure of the executive committee and created a new position of chief operating officer responsible for the operational management of the businesses.
Chemicals
Utilising the Strengths of the Location
Roadmap for Separations
Separations account for up to 90% of all operations aiming at purification, recycling and recovery of process streams. They also account for 40-70% of capital and investment costs. In the future, their application can significantly influence costs, energy use and waste generation.
Production
Enamel: The Versatile Alternative to Plastic
Chemical resistance, thermal resilience and fire safety: Enamel is one material can offer so much.
