Process Equipment Update
as crystal seeds. This process – known as seeding – speeds up the hardening process significantly, particularly during the early stage of cement hydration. Adding Master X-Seed means concrete hardens as rapidly at 20°C as concrete without hardener does at 60°
C.This improves production processes and also concrete quality, and even allows it to be poured during the winter when outside temperatures are low. Meanwhile Solvay’s nanotechnology
efforts are focused on three main areas: electronics and IT; manufacturing and materials; and healthcare and life
sciences. One dramatic success is with its silica products, which generate net sales of over €400 million from eight industrial production sites. Marketed as the Zeosil range, these have applications in industry, personal care and nutrition products. However, their most notable success has been with the automobile tyre industry. Here the silica products are used
to improve tyres’ rolling resistance, something that the company says typically improves fuel consumption by 5-7%. The company has invested in a new 85,000 t/y plant to produce several
Cefic calls for nanotechnology regulation T
he European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) describes nanotechnology as one of the most important enabling technologies for its members and has called on the European Commission to ensure that regulatory frameworks are science-based and proportionate. “We call for a balanced policy on nanomaterials, ensuring the protection of human health and the environment, while providing the necessary framework for enhancing innovation, growth and jobs in Europe,” says the organisation. To this end, Cefic highlights a number of key points about nanotechnologies. Firstly, it says, Europe needs them to achieve its growth goals as they are an important driver for industrial innovation. Then comes safety. Evaluation should be on a case- by-case basis as some nanomaterials, such as pigments, have been produced in high volumes for decades and already have
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their safety well assessed. Third up is openness and transparency about the possible impact of nanomaterials, which Cefic describes as vital. The fourth point concerns the current European regulatory framework, which Cefic says has the capacity to govern the production and use of nanomaterials. Here, it believes, the existing REACH regulation is the best appropriate framework to use. The fifth point is a call for a common workable system for defining nanomaterials, with consistency, harmonisation and validation of measurement methods – within and without the EU – being areas of concern. Cefic’s final point is that Europe cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities provided by nanotechnologies and that a positive investment climate for them is important. To do less would give rise to social, economic and environmental disadvantages, the organisation says. n
Solvay believes its ongoing research into silica products will help to further improve tyre energy efficiency and performance.
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