Bohus, May 15, 2007. A new research and development center at Eka Chemicals in Bohus was formally inaugurated today by Leif Darner, Member of the Akzo Nobel Board of Management. The SEK 40 million investment means AkzoNobel's bleaching and paper chemicals business, Eka Chemicals—with 36 production units globally—is focusing its research and development operations at Bohus.
For AkzoNobel, whose recent acquisition of ICI made it the world's leading paint company, the investment in Bohus represents another step in strengthening the Group's investment in select areas within Specialty Chemicals, where Eka Chemicals is part of the core operations. This investment also highlights the new AkzoNobel’s intention to continue to develop and strengthen the Group's interests in Sweden. Since 2000, AkzoNobel has invested just over SEK 4.5 billion in Sweden.
"Cost efficiency through increased productivity and the drive to reduce raw material- and energy costs have become determining factors for the forest industry," said Eka Chemicals' President, Jan Svärd. In these efforts, Eka has become a valued partner of pulp and paper industries throughout the world with improved chemicals for bleaching and paper manufacturing. This is not least through enhanced control of chemical management and processes at the mills, via remote monitoring and continuous access to expertise.
At the new research center, actual conditions in pulp and paper mills can be simulated on a laboratory scale. Through the combination of research outcomes with experience from inspections and the remote control of chemical processes at customer sites, Eka builds its expertise, creating a valuable resource for the paper industry.
“Innovation through the development of new chemical products and systems, in combination with new industrial IT, is needed for us to maintain our position, but not just as a supplier. As an industry partner, we can provide support for key chemical-related operations of the mill's production and thereby increase efficiency and lower production costs. Chemical Islands, where Eka runs the entire chemical operations at one mill, is an example of long-term partnership with key customers. Purate® is a chlorine dioxide-based system for slime and bacterial control in paper machines. A newly-developed retention agent system can markedly increase productivity in a paper machine. Both are examples of new product innovation," says Svärd.
The new R&D center is primarily focused on bleaching and paper chemicals, but a significant part of the operations involves the development of separation products for the chromatographic purification of active substances used for producing pharmaceuticals such as insulin. "The new laboratory gives us resources for faster development of specialty products to strengthen our position within the industrial HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) area,” says Domingo Sanchez, General Manager, Separation Products.
For further information, please contact:
Eka Chemicals AB +46 (0)31 58 70 00
Thomas Berglin, General Manager Product and Business Development
Erik Widén, Communications Manager