Dow transfers gloves to YTY

HONG KONG—The Dow Chemical Co. has signed an agreement to transfer its Intacta polyurethane glove business to Malaysia-based YTY Industry. Although terms of the deal were not disclosed, Greg McDaniel, Dow Polyurethane's new business development director, described the deal as “a logical evolution” of the Midland, Mich.-based chemical giant's glove business.

Dow will focus on its core strengths, and continue to supply YTY with the polyurethane polymers and technology required to produce the gloves, while YTY will leverage its expertise in manufacturing and marketing to further grow the business globally.—MAD

Aspiring ammonia

PARSIPPANY, N.J.—Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc., and its subsidiary, Matheson Gas Products Korea, have completed a high-purity ammonia facility in Chonan, Korea. The facility is capable of producing and distributing ammonia in cylinder and bulk packages for the flat panel display, silicon and compound semiconductor markets.

We fully expect the liquid crystal market to welcome local production of one of its key raw materials,” says David Lai, director of Asia sales for Matheson Tri-Gas. “Additionally, by adding regional production of ammonia to our already established Nanochem purification line and bulk delivery package, Matheson Gas Products Korea can now serve all nitride applications.”—MAD

Perlos pumps up

SUNDERLAND, U.K.—Perlos Corp., a manufacturer of injection moldings and equipment, is investing around $1.5 million to double its cleanroom capacity at its facility here.

U.K. marketing manager Ian Jobling said the Finnish firm was building an “identical copy” next to its existing 16,000-square-foot cleanroom. The investment follows last year's news that Perlos had spent a similar amount on its pharmaceutical business, which included installing its existing cleanroom.

Jobling said the firm would move some of its 60 injection molding machines into the new space, and would buy another new machine for its site. He said the firm had invested heavily in automation and that most machines were fitted with six-axis robots. —MAD

Bad blood?

ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted a revised consent decree from the American Red Cross (ARC) that is aimed at ensuring the safety of the nation's blood supply.

The revision includes financial penalties if the Red Cross fails to comply with FDA laws, as well as a comprehensive penalty scheme to address potential future violations. If the Red Cross fails to comply with blood safety rules and revised decree requirements, FDA can assess penalties up to the following maximum amounts:

• $10,000 per event and $10,000 per day for any violation of an ARC standard operating procedure (SOP), the law, or consent decree requirement and timeline (SOPs are written procedures that are designed to help ensure product quality);
• $50,000 for the preventable release of each unit of blood for which FDA determines that there is a reasonable probability that the product may cause serious adverse health consequences or death, as well as $5,000 for the release of each unit that may cause temporary problems, up to a maximum of $500,000 per event;
• $50,000 for the improper re-release of each unsuitable blood unit that was returned to ARC inventory;
• $10,000 for each donor inappropriately omitted from the National Donor Deferral Registry-a list of all unsuitable donors.—MAD