Journal of Austrian Chemistry

Journal for the Chemical Industry in Austria

Archives for March 2019

Open letter by European and UK Chemical Industry Organisations

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With less than 20 days remaining, European businesses are calling for a no deal Brexit to be averted immediately to avoid major disruption of supply chains across all industries and to protect jobs.

The undersigned organizations reiterate that a no-deal Brexit will have disastrous consequences for businesses and citizens on both sides of the Channel.

EU and UK companies have benefited from over 40 years of economic integration and 25 years of the Single Market. As a result, value chains have become so closely intertwined that a no-deal Brexit will lead to chaos.

Delays at customs and disrupted supply of all goods, including foods and medicines, will affect communities and incur significant costs for businesses and governments alike. In many areas, businesses do not yet know the trading conditions they will be operating in and smaller companies are already experiencing cash flow problems in the face of this uncertainty.  Jobs are at risk as  businesses might have to close down or downsize, unable to deal with disruptions.

As a matter of urgency the undersigned organizations call on both parties to secure the Withdrawal Agreement and transition period.  This will give businesses time to adapt to the new reality and allow the EU and UK to prepare and agree on their future relationship.

Participating organizations:

Header Image: CEFIC

Endress+Hauser shows Growth in 2018

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Endress+Hauser’s business developed very positively across all regions and industries in 2018. The Group, one of the world’s leading providers of process and laboratory instrumentation, automation solutions and services, reports new highs in net sales, income and employment.

Dr. Luc Schultheiss, CFO Endress+Hauser. | Credit: Endress+Hauser

According to preliminary figures, Endress+Hauser increased net sales by more than 9 percent to over 2.4 billion euros in 2018. Exchange rate effects prevented even better results. “In local currencies, we grew nearly 13 percent,” said Chief Financial Officer Dr Luc Schultheiss. The family-owned company created new jobs primarily in production, research and development and services. At the end of 2018, Endress+Hauser had 13,928 employees worldwide, 629 more than the year before.

Matthias Altendorf, CEO Endress+Hauser | Credit: Endress+Hauser

“The solid development in sales shows that we have held our ground well in the market,” explained CEO Matthias Altendorf. The growth was spurred by innovations from across all fields of activity. “We supported our customers with more than 50 new products, solutions and services. We were able to break new ground through our digitalization strategy, as well as in the measurement and analysis of quality-relevant parameters,” said the Group’s CEO.

New year with a good start

Endress+Hauser is expecting a somewhat weaker market dynamic for the current year. The Group is anticipating growth in the mid single-digit range, with earnings remaining at a healthy level. “The year has gotten off to a good start so far,” reported Luc Schultheiss. Assuming the business remains well on track, the Group expects to create several hundred new jobs around the world. Endress+Hauser will present its 2018 audited financial figures on 14 May 2019 in Basel, Switzerland.

New UK based event for Composites in Motorsport

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NetComposites, a UK based networking company for the composite industry and more announced an event dedicated to the ever-growing use of composites within the Motorsport Industry.

Spotlighting the current and future use of composite materials in Motorsport, Composites in Motorsport is taking place on the 22-23 October at the Williams F1 Conference Centre, Oxford, UK, and is supported by Williams Advanced Engineering, F1 Race Technology and the MIA.

The Motorsport industry has continuously been a primary adopter of innovative technology, motivated by the desire to decrease weight. A perfect example of this is Formula 1; utilising lighter and stiffer materials for decades, in 1981 McLaren transformed the building of racing cars with the manufacture of F1’s first carbon fibre monocoque, and the Motorsport Industry is still committed to developing composite solutions.

NetComposites Communications Manager, Siobhan Longhurst, says ‘NetComposites are pleased to provide a networking platform for the industry at the Williams F1 Centre in October 2019. We have had a great response so far; to be able to welcome such a wide range of delegates from around the globe including engineers, drivers, race teams, academics and motorsport fanatics to an event which focuses on how this industry is moving forward with composite technology is fantastic’.

Speakers at Composites in Motorsport include a keynote presentation from Professor Willem Toet (Motorsport, F1 and Aerodynamics Specialist, Sauber Aerodynamics), and Williams F1 Chief Composites Engineer, Brian O’Rourke. Additional presentations are designed to highlight the increased requirement for lightweight and strength within the Motorsport Industry, include Oxford Brookes Racing, K W Special Projects, Cevotec, Bcomp Ltd, GRM Consulting Ltd and Cranfield University.

Registration for Composites in Motorsport is now open and all participants are welcomed to join the drinks reception at the end of day one, sponsored by Cevotec. This will also include a tour of Sir Frank Williams’ private collection. The deadline for abstracts is Friday 26 April 2019. Abstracts should be submitted via compositesinmotorsport.com.