BASF Podcast: The Chemical Reporter - What Does it Mean When People Talk About "Hard Water"?

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, November 25 - Hard water - sounds like white and flaky showerheads, encrusted water
cookers, or stopped-up pipes. Although the clear water that comes jetting out
of the faucet might look soft and innocent, it contains substances that can
turn pretty hard. Just let a little water from your sink evaporate in a
glass. It leaves a thin, chalky white film behind that chemists call calcium
carbonate and is commonly known as lime. In entertaining episodes our
Chemical Reporter answers questions of our Podcast listeners on Chemistry in
our everyday life.

iThemba Pharmaceuticals (Pty) Ltd and Pyxis Discovery B.V. Announce Collaborative Agreement to Offer a Combined Service Offering

DELFT, The Netherlands and JOHANNESBURG, November 25 - iThemba Pharmaceuticals' service division and Pyxis Discovery
announced today that they have signed a collaborative agreement to jointly
market both companies' services.

Frutarom's Net Profit Increased by 6.3% - to US$ 10 M

Improvement in Net Margin - Reached 9%

HAIFA, Israel, November 24 -

Sasol and Gassnova SF Sign MoU on Participation in Norwegian CO2 Technology Centre in Mongstad

PRETORIA, South Africa, November 24 - Sasol and Gassnova SF, the Norwegian state-owned enterprise responsible
for managing governmental interests related to Carbon Capture and Storage
(CCS), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Union
Buildings in Pretoria that will enable Sasol to explore the possibility of
becoming a participant in the European CO2 Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM)
currently under construction in Norway.

China Leads All Nations in Publication of Chemical Patents According to CAS, the World's Most Authoritative Publisher of Chemical Information

COLUMBUS, Ohio, November 23 - Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), the global expert on chemical
information, reports that China's patent office is now the world's leading
producer of patent invention applications in chemistry. China trailed Japan's
patent office, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), and the
United States' patent office (USPTO) for more than a decade, but passed the
USPTO in 2005, WIPO in 2006, and exceeded Japan for the first time on a
monthly basis in 2008. In 2009, China will record an entire year as the
number one producer of chemical patents, and CAS projects that trend to
continue.

World's First Partnership Between Chemical Parks - CHEMPARK and Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP) Enter Into Agreement

New Gateway Between North Rhine-Westphalia and China

LEVERKUSEN, Germany and NANJING, China, November 18 - CHEMPARK, with its sites in Leverkusen, Dormagen and Krefeld-Uerdingen,
Germany, and Nanjing Chemical Industry Park (NCIP) in China entered into the
first worldwide partnership agreement between chemical parks on Wednesday,
November 18, 2009. The contract was signed during a visit to China by NRW
State Premier Jurgen Ruttgers. The signatories were Klaus Schafer, Chairman
of the Executive Board of CHEMPARK operator CURRENTA, and Xie Chongxiu, Vice
President of the NCIP Administrative Committee and Deputy Director of NCIP
GmbH. CHEMPARK accounts for around a third of the sales generated by the
chemical industry in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Over 45,000 people
are employed at its sites.

SQM to Distribute Interim Dividend

SANTIAGO, Chile, November 17 - Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock
Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) announced the payment of an interim dividend in the
amount of US$0.37994 per share (approximately US$100 million or 40% of net
income for the first nine months of 2009). At its meeting today the Company's
Board of Directors agreed to distribute an interim dividend, as outlined in
the 2009 Dividend Policy approved at its Shareholders' Meeting on April 29,
2009.

Greif Adds to Portfolio in Scandinavia

DELAWARE, Ohio, November 13 - Greif, Inc., (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B) has acquired privately held Hannells
Industrier AB. With operations in Scandinavia, the company manufactures
plastic drums, jerricans and pails; steel drums; and intermediate bulk
containers for customers primarily in the chemical, petrochemical and paint
industries.

PTT Chemical and SMC to Join Together for Developing Thailand's Plastic Industry Through a Strategic Network

BANGKOK, November 13 - Mr. Veerasak Kositpaisal, President & CEO of PTT Chemical Plc., and Mr.
Anuchit Boonthong, Chairman of SMC Corporation Limited, signed the Memorandum
of Understanding to initiate a mutual co-operation on the development and
support of Thailand's blow molding industry. The two companies intend to
increase the strength and potential of Thai plastic manufacturers in terms of
capability to better respond to current market needs and to successfully
compete in the global market.

BASF Podcast: The Chemical Reporter - What's the Difference Between Sugar and Artificial Sweetener?

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany, November 11 - Sugar and sweetener - both taste sweet, which is just another way of
saying that both interact with the 'sweetness' taste receptors on your
tongue. But that's about all they have in common. Otherwise, sugar and
sweetener don't chemically resemble each other in the least. In fact, they
belong to completely different classes of substances. In entertaining
episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions of our Podcast listeners
on Chemistry in our everyday life.

PlastiPure Receives US$1.1 Million in Grant Funding

Company will continue to develop safer plastics free of estrogenic activity

AUSTIN, Texas, November 10 - PlastiPure announced today that it received a US$1.1 million grant from
the National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety (NIEHS) to continue
development and commercialization of plastics that do not leach chemicals
with harmful estrogenic activity (EA). PlastiPure will use these federal
funds to expand its line of innovative materials and products that are free
from EA (EA-Free(TM)).

ICIS Pricing Launches New Propylene Daily Asia Price Report

SINGAPORE - ICIS pricing, the leading price reporting service for the global chemical industry, is extending its commitment to bringing up-to-date market information to customers by launching a new Propylene Daily Asia report.

Braskem Announces New Petrochemical Project in Mexico

SAO PAULO -

Braskem S.A. (”Braskem”), in compliance with CVM Instruction 358/02, announces to shareholders and the market that, in association with IDESA, a traditional Mexican corporate group, it won the auction held by Pemex Gas, a state-owned Mexican company, for the acquisition of ethane, which will be used as feedstock for an integrated petrochemical project to be developed in that country (”Project Ethylene XXI”).

Haft Group says Bullish Commodity Market Triggers Small and Micro-cap Upsurge

NEW YORK -

“Micro cap and small cap equities across the board, are struggling to receive more broker sponsorship and exposure as a ‘buying window’ opens and to take advantage of the upturn in commodity-driven stocks like gold, silver and other metals,” states Herbert Haft, President of The Haft Group, Inc, Manhattan based investor relations firm with a focus on the micro cap and small cap equities market in the US and Canada, and with expansion plans into the UK and China.

Ansell Enlarges Range of Advanced Chemical Protection Gloves

BRUSSELS -

- New AlphaTec(R)58-270: Best Solution for Handling Oily Parts More Safely

Ansell Healthcare, a global leader in barrier protective solutions, announces the launch of the AlphaTec(R)58-270, a new chemical-resistant glove. Designed as a liquid-proof glove requiring less force to grip oily parts, the AlphaTec(R)58-270 incorporates the Ansell Grip Technology(TM). The enhanced grip reduces fatigue and offers superior dexterity. The AlphaTec(R)58-270 is recommended for light handling applications in environments with potential chemical hazards, including the chemical industry, oil refineries and production, automotive and OEM markets, maintenance, metal, machinery & equipment and building & construction. AlphaTec(R)58-270 is a lighter version of the AlphaTec(R) 58-530 and 58-535 gloves which are recommended for medium to high duty chemical applications.

Marketsandmarkets: Global Electroactive Polymers Product Market Worth US$2.78 Billion By 2014

WILMINGTON, Delaware - According to a new market research report, ‘Global Electroactive Polymers Market (2009 - 2014)’, published by MarketsandMarkets (www.marketsandmarkets.com), the global electroactive polymers product market is expected to be worth US$2.78 billion by 2014, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% from 2009 to 2014. The North American market is expected to account for nearly 65% of the total revenues.

Frost & Sullivan Recognises ESAB as Best Partner for Welding and Cutting Systems in Energy Generation

LONDON -

The ‘2009 Global Best Partners Welding & Cutting Systems for Energy Generation Award,’ is presented to ESAB, which has emerged as the leading manufacturer of welding and cutting systems for energy generation industries including power, LNG tanks, offshore and pipelines industries, in Europe and rising strongly to be a leader in the global market as well. In 2009, it accounted for nearly 18 per cent of the global welding and cutting market for energy generation.

Braskem Announces EBITDA of R$ 838 Million in 3Q09

SAO PAULO -

BRASKEM S.A. (BOVESPA: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK), the leading company in the thermoplastic resins industry in Latin America and third-largest resin producer in the Americas, announces today its results for the third quarter of 2009 (3Q09).

Aflex Unveils Revolutionary New Hose Design for the Chemical and Process Industry

SOWERBY BRIDGE, England - Aflex Hose Ltd has today unveiled Corroline, a revolutionary flexible hose developed to stand up to the toughest chemical and process applications.

ICS Copper Systems Ltd Completes 2nd Private Placement of $100,000 CAD

ABBOTSFORD, Canada - ICS Copper Systems Ltd. (ICX:TSX.V) announces that it has completed its non-brokered private placement as previously announced on October 19th, 2009. The private placement consisted of 1,000,000 units at a price of CDN$0.10 per unit for gross proceeds of CDN$100,000. Each unit is comprised of one common share (a “Share”) and one full warrant entitling the holder to purchase a common share until March 1st, 2010 at a price of CDN$0.12, until March 1st, 2011 at a price of CDN$0.15, until March 1st, 2012 at a price of CDN$0.20.

BASF Podcast: Achieving Climate Protection With Eco-Efficiency

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany - In this podcast you will learn how the eco-efficiency analysis helps you to determine how you can reduce the consumption of energy and materials and how to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Protective Equipment Suppliers Can Expect Growth in Emerging African Markets, Finds Frost & Sullivan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -

Managing product cost fluctuations, competition from low-cost imports and increased labour costs are common challenges for all suppliers of consumable products in South Africa. For many protective equipment suppliers, however, these challenges are outweighed by sustained activity in the construction and mining industries.

Climate Change Concerns Drive the Air Pollution Control Market in South Africa, States Frost & Sullivan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -

The South African air pollution control market is going through a dynamic phase of change as the impact of new legislation starts to have impact. The market is projected to continue growing, despite the current economic hardships faced by emission generating industries.

Albemarle and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Affiliate, TAYF, Create Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company (SOCC), a Strategic Catalysts Joint Venture

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -

- New 50/50 Joint Venture Will Build First World-Scale Organometallics Catalyst Plant in the Middle East

SQM Reports Earnings for the First Nine Months of 2009

SANTIAGO, Chile -

Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) (NYSE: SQM; Santiago Stock Exchange: SQM-B, SQM-A) reported today earnings for the first nine months of 2009 of US$251.7 million (US$0.96 per ADR), a decrease of 34.0% with respect to the same period of 2008, when earnings totaled US$381.1 million (US$1.45 per ADR). Operating income reached US$342.0 million (32.6% of revenues), 29.0% lower than the US$481.4 million (35.0% of revenues) recorded during the first nine months of 2008. Revenues totaled US$1,049.2 million for the first nine months, representing a decrease of 23.8% over the US$1,376.2 million reported in the same period of 2008.

The European Home and Fabric Care Specialty Ingredients Market Shows Resilience to Current Economic Challenges, Reveals Frost & Sullivan

LONDON -

The chemicals industry was particularly hard hit by the economic recession, as reflected in the closure of numerous manufacturing plants, laying off of personnel and bankruptcies of some major players. However, the market for specialty ingredients in home and fabric care formulations remains dynamic, fuelled by the need to minimise risks from bacteria and germs, to reduce the time and effort required for household chores, and to further improve the quality of life while addressing the environmental concerns of consumers.

Arab Health 2010: Ansell Showcases Latest Innovations in Hand Protection Solutions Dedicated to Healthcare Professionals

BRUSSELS -

- Comprehensive Gammex(R) Surgical Range and a Wide Selection of Examination Gloves Offer Optimal Protection and Prevent Infections and Allergies

Frost & Sullivan European Digestive Health Ingredients Promising Ingredient of the Year Award Presented to Solvay for SOLACTIS(TM)

LONDON -

The 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Digestive Health Ingredients Promising Ingredient of the Year Award is presented to Solvay S.A. (Solvay) for SOLACTIS(TM), an innovative prebiotic ingredient in the European digestive health ingredients market. The improved performance of SOLACTIS(TM) offers significant added value for new yoghurts, biscuits, beverages and similar products.

ICIS Innovation Awards 2009 Winner Announcement

LONDON - ICIS (www.icis.com ), a leading global provider of news and information for the chemical and energy sectors, today announces the winners in the ICIS Innovation Awards 2009 (www.icis.com/awards ).

Albemarle’s Innovative AlkyClean(TM) Technology Receives Prestigious ‘Affordable Green Chemistry’ Award From American Chemical Society

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana -

- Sustainable, Value-added Technology Significantly Improves Safety of Refinery Processes and Hazards Associated with the Transportation and Handling of Liquid Acids

BASF Podcast: The Chemical Reporter - What is the Chemistry Behind a Permanent Wave Hairstyle?

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany - The key to understanding lies in the molecular structure of hair. A single hair is made up of a bundle of fibers. The individual fibers are in turn made up of even smaller threadlike components known as fibrils. And in their turn, fibrils are made up of chains of protein molecules - mostly the tough structural protein keratin - that are twisted together and attached to one another with chemical bridges made of sulfur or hydrogen atoms. If you want to change it, then you first have to dissolve the bonds. In entertaining episodes our Chemical Reporter answers questions of our Podcast listeners on Chemistry in our everyday life.

South Africa’s Coal Mining Industry’s Comeback Hopes Ride on Waterberg Coal Basin, Says Frost & Sullivan

CAPE TOWN, South Africa -

The global consumption of coal is expected to increase by 4 per cent per annum between 2010 and 2030 in line with the rising global demand for energy. To boost production, the South African coal mining industry needs to open up new mines in the Waterberg coal basin to replace the depleted mines in the Highveld, Witbank and Ermello coalfields in Mpumalanga.

Frost & Sullivan’s Top Ten High Tech List

LONDON -

Up to 85 percent of technologies developed globally never see the commercial light of day because they founder in the so-called Valley of Death - the virtual chasm so often separating applied research from technology demonstration. To help investors circumnavigate these dangers, Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, has compiled a short list of top ten hot and emerging technology platforms well poised to profoundly impact manifold sectors across the globe while offering potential high ROI for investors.

Global Bioenergies is Setting-Up its Scientific Advisory Board and Obtains Proof of Concept for a Bioprocess Generating Gaseous Hydrocarbons From Renewable Resources

EVRY - Philippe Marliere, cofounder and initiator of the project, has announced the establishment of the scientific advisory board:

GPCA Challenges Anti-dumping Charges Raised by China, India and EU

DUBAI - Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the regional umbrella organization of petrochemical and chemical producers in the region, has launched an initiative to challenge what it described as protectionist measures in the garb of anti-dumping procedures launched by China, India and the European Union (EU) against exports from countries in the region.