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AeonClad Coatings, LLC, an advanced materials company focusing on improving the performance of existing products for new applications, has announced the company’s expansion into a new research and development facility located in Austin, TX, USA. With the new facility, AeonClad will demonstrate how semiconductor plasma processing techniques and equipment can be adapted to handle a wider range of materials, shapes, and sizes such as powdered plastic additives, consumer apparel, and novel drug formulations.
Alexium International Group Limited (ASX:AJX, AX:AJX, OTC QX:AXXIY) is reaffirming its strategic focus on providing unique, environmentally friendly flame retardant (FR) chemistries. As the public and government agencies across the world are increasing pressure to phase out traditional bromine-based flame retardants due to environmental and health concerns, Alexium is introducing a safe and effective bromine-free FR alternative for several industrial applications. Alexium’s highly effective and durable flame retardant treatments do not contain organo-bromine or any other halogenated compounds. While the Company is already rolling out commercial fabric applications of its novel FR chemistry, it will be focusing on entering new product areas, such as carpet, furnishings, polyurethane foam padding, insulation, plastics, and aerospace interiors. Alexium is currently finalizing a full licence agreement for FR treatments for nylon with Duro Textiles, one of the United States' largest finishers and dyers, to address a market opportunity in excess of 3.66 million linear metres (4 million linear yards) of nylonfabric. The main commercial terms for this FR Nylon licence were previously announced and wider licence terms are now being finalized.
http://www.alexiuminternational.com
For the second quarter of 2012, AMCOL International Corporation (ACO) generated diluted earnings per share attributable to its shareholders from continuing operations of $0.65 per share versus $0.42 per share in the prior year‘s quarter. Net sales increased 6.1% to $257.5 million for the 2012 se- cond quarter as compared to $242.8 million for the 2011 period. Excluding the effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, revenues would have increased 9.1%. Gross profit increased 19.5% while gross margin increased 320 basis points to 28.8%. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7.4% to $43.3 million. Operating profit increased 41.7% with operating profit margins increasing by 300 basis points to 12.0%. Our effective tax rate for the 2012 quarter was 28.3%. Net sales increased $14.7 million or 6.1%.
AMCOL International also reports that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, payable on October 9, 2012 to shareholders of record as of August 29, 2012.