Tag Archives: Clean Rooms

August 8, 2007 — SAN DIEGO, CA — RASIRC(TM), the steam purification company, announces it has sold and shipped its 25th Steamer. This is the first product ever to purify water vapor in the vapor phase. The Steamer completely eliminates the need for hydrogen and oxygen to generate water vapor. Instead, steam is produced from deionized water, which is inexpensive and widely available. Contaminants in the steam, including dissolved gases, particles, and ionic impurities are eliminated for purity equal to or better than anything available today.

RASIRC Steamers have been purchased by the Fraunhofer Institute for photovoltaic development and for wet thermal oxidation in diffusion furnaces in semiconductor, MEMS, solar, and optical communications applications. Systems have been installed in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The product’s rapid acceptance is due to the ability to generate an ROI that can be less than 60 days.

“We’ve been impressed with the success of the Steamer, especially in head-to-head performance against torches,” says Jeffrey Spiegelman, RASIRC president and founder. “It’s proving not only to be safer and have a lower operating cost, but surprisingly, it’s generating faster growth rates and better uniformity which we attribute to 100% pure steam that is oxygen free.”

About RASIRC
RASIRC products purify and deliver ultra-pure liquids and gases. RASIRC technology is the first to generate ultra-high purity (UHP) steam from deionized water. It reduces cost, improves yield, and improves safety. UHP steam has many applications in the semiconductor industry, nanotechnology, photovoltaic manufacturing, and related industries. Call 858-259-1220, e-mail [email protected], or visit www.rasirc.com.

August 9, 2007 — BURLINGTON, MA — Hyaluron Contract Manufacturing (HCM), a leader in aseptic formulation and filling, has received preliminary approval of its safety grant application from the Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, Office of Safety. The grant, in the amount of $21,988, will be used to expand HCM’s training program to enhance workplace safety at its Burlington, MA facility.

“Hyaluron has a strong commitment to continued education on safety and the avoidance of injuries to employees,” Shawn Kinney, president of HCM, explains. “With the funds provided through the grant, we will be able to be even more proactive in preventing workplace injuries and promoting the well-being of our employees.”

HCM will use much of the grant to fund newly added courses in Potent Compound Awareness, Respirator Training and Certification, Ergonomic Safety, and First Aid/CPR. All HCM employees receive general safety and emergency training; however, employees in certain areas require more extensive training based on the particular hazards they may encounter. These areas include materials management, engineering, manufacturing, packaging, and quality.

The goal of the training will be to emphasize best practices as well as sound work procedures and decision-making skills. HCM has an active safety committee as well as a zero tolerance policy toward inadequate use of safety equipment and protection materials. Due to stepped-up safety efforts and increased training there were no work-related injuries or illnesses in 2006. The company currently employs eighty people, with plans to add up to twenty more by year end.

About HCM
Hyaluron Contract Manufacturing (HCM) is a leader in aseptic contract manufacturing of filled liquid parenterals and medical devices. Since 1999, HCM has been offering its customers

August 9, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — SAN DIEGO, CA — PacificGMP, a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) specializing in the development and manufacturing of biologics using single-use technology, announced today that it has launched environmental monitoring services to the San Diego-area biopharmaceutical industry. Environmental monitoring involves on-site sampling of air, surfaces, and personnel to measure the control of particles in cleanroom environments and manufacturing operations.

“PacificGMP is committed to serving San Diego-area biopharmaceutical companies with environmental monitoring to fulfill regulatory requirements applicable to cleanroom facilities and standard operating procedures,” says Leigh N. Pierce, president of PacificGMP. “This environmental monitoring service fits well with our primary business of cGMP and non-GMP biologics development and manufacturing services utilizing single-use technology.”

PacificGMP environmental monitoring services include measuring surface and airborne viable particles, total non-viable particles as well as establishing routine on-site sampling and process monitoring during product fill or manufacturing and pre- and post-processing. These services facilitate gowning qualification and cleaning validation for ISO Class 5, 6, 7, 8. In addition, the company can assist clients with establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for environmental monitoring programs.

About PacificGMP
PacificGMP is a contract manufacturing organization (CMO) and leader in the industry in single-use technology for development and manufacturing of biologics. Single-use technology eliminates the risk of cross-contamination, has fewer system requirements, and significantly reduces the time required to initiate production. Benefits to clients include rapid project turnaround and the most cost effective solution in the industry. PacificGMP partners with drug developers by providing a range of cGMP and non-GMP services from early stages of process design, development and scale-up, to preclinical and clinical manufacturing. More information can be found by visiting the company’s web site at http://www.pacificgmp.com/.

Contact:
Leigh N. Pierce
President
PacificGMP
Tel: 858-550-4094

August 13, 2007 — /MARKET WIRE via COMTEX/ — MANCHESTER, CT — Lydall, Inc. – Lydall Filtration/Separation, Inc., a worldwide supplier of specialty media for high-efficiency filtration applications, is underway with several capital improvement initiatives. The company is in the second year of a multi-year capital improvement plan at both its Rochester, NH and St. Rivalain, France filtration/separation facilities. These improvements include a series of proprietary process improvements aimed toward achieving unsurpassed filtration properties in microglass products and state-of-the-art wet-forming hardware and process control upgrades to support product uniformity.

Lydall Filtration’s president, Kevin Longe, states, “The increased investment by Lydall, Inc. into its filtration business highlights our commitment to providing customers with technologically advanced filtration media with unsurpassed performance for high-efficiency mechanical filtration.”

Additionally, Lydall recently installed a new advanced laminating line at its Rochester, NH operation, expanding its technical capabilities and providing sufficient capacity to cover current composites demand and future growth for several years. The laminating line is a key process in the manufacture of the LydAir SC, LyPore SC and a growing portfolio of customized composite product lines, which are utilized in high-performance filtration challenges including industrial and residential HVAC, gas-turbine, cabin air, drinking water, a variety of life science and industrial fluid applications.

Lydall, Inc. is a New York Stock Exchange listed company, headquartered in Manchester, Connecticut. The company, with operations in the U.S., France, and Germany and sales offices in Europe and Asia, focuses on specialty engineered products for the thermal/acoustical and filtration/separation markets. Lydall Filtration/Separation designs and manufactures technically advanced air and liquid filtration products ranging from microglass media to a variety of synthetic and membrane composites.

Source: Lydall, Inc.

Contact:
Melinda Castonguay
Tel: 603-332-4600
E-mail: [email protected]
www.lydall.com

August 3, 2007 — /FDA News/ — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to eat certain brands of French Cut Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans manufactured by Lakeside Foods Inc., of Manitowoc, WI, because the product may not have been processed adequately to eliminate the potential for botulism toxin. This warning is not related to another recent warning for botulism.

The canned green beans may cause botulism if consumed. FDA is providing this warning to make consumers aware of the possible risk of serious illness from eating these products. As of August 1, 2007, FDA had not received reports of illnesses related to the product.

The botulism toxin is very potent, and botulism is a life-threatening illness. Symptoms of botulism can begin from six hours to two weeks after eating food that contains the toxin. The symptoms may include double vision, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and muscle weakness that moves progressively down the body, affecting the shoulders first then descending to the upper arms, lower arms, thighs, and calves. Botulism also may cause paralysis of the breathing muscles, which can result in death unless assistance with breathing (mechanical ventilation) is provided. Individuals who show these symptoms and who may have recently eaten the product should seek immediate medical attention.

The affected Lakeside cut green beans are sold nationwide under the following labels: Albertson’s, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice, and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.

Consumers who have any of these products or any foods made with these products should dispose of them immediately. If the code on an affected can is missing or unreadable, consumers should throw the product out.

Lakeside Foods has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products. Lakeside Foods recommends that consumers with any questions or concerns about the recall should call the company at 800-466-3834 ext. 4090.

August 7, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — SOUTHAMPTON, PA — Environmental Tectonics Corporation’s (“ETC” or the “company”) Sterilization Systems Division announced today the creation of a new Professional Services Group within the Sterilization Systems Group (SSG). This group will be responsible for the marketing, design, development and delivery of all professional services related to sterilization applications including:

  • Cycle Development
  • Control System Retrofit
  • Process Design Engineering
  • Feasibility and Economic Planning
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Sterilizer and Freeze Dryer Refurbishment
  • Energy Services

John Fay, technical director of ETC’s Sterilization Systems, will assume the additional responsibility of head of the Professional Services Group.

Dave Mitchell, business unit manager of ETC’s SSG, comments, “We have experienced a significant increase in demand for ETC’s engineering capability. Formation of the Professional Services Group will allow us to adequately address this potential market. John Fay has a unique background in engineering, operations and sales and is the perfect candidate to expand this business opportunity. We are very excited about the potential this business has for ETC, our shareholders, and for our customers.”

ETC’s Sterilization Systems Group (SSG) offers steam and ethylene oxide sterilizers, services, consulting, and software systems to the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and health care industries. ETC’s SSG offers unique, customized solutions to unique process systems challenges.

ETC designs, develops, installs, and maintains aircrew training systems, public entertainment systems, process simulation systems (sterilization and environmental), clinical hyperbaric systems, environmental testing and simulation systems, and related products for domestic and international customers.

Source: Environmental Tectonics Corporation

Contact:
Duane D. Deaner, CFO
Tel: 215-355-9100 (ext. 1203)
Fax: 215-357-4000
http://www.etcusa.com

August 7, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — NEW DELHI, INDIA — DuPont today announced that it is expanding its manufacturing capabilities in India to deliver critical products for one of the country’s fast-growing segments: animal and human health solutions. The company will establish a local contract manufacturing plant at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh to produce biosecurity program products and solutions to help prevent and control viruses in the livestock industry, as well as provide a healthy environment for animals.

“DuPont delivers innovations and knowledge that help make people’s lives safer and better. DuPont is committed to India and is encouraged by the demand for our biosafety knowledge,” Balvinder S. Kalsi, president and CEO, DuPont India, said.

At the Baddi facility, DuPont will manufacture a broad range of sustainable chemistries that include disinfectants, cleaners, and sanitizers for animal health. The products will be marketed under trademarks including DuPont(TM) Virkon(R) S, DuPont(TM) Virudine(TM), and DuPont(TM) Biosolve(TM) Plus. These products are global market leaders and are widely used in the livestock industry for customized biosecurity programs that help prevent pathogens from establishing themselves and also help prevent the spread of infection on the farm.

“At DuPont, we believe biosecurity will be the cornerstone of the Indian livestock industry, enabling Indian farmers to compete successfully in both the domestic and the international markets with safe and healthy food products. A step-change in biosecurity approach and practices is a must to help prevent the spread of viruses within the animal population, as well as help prevent diseases from mutating from animals to humans,” Dipal Parikh, regional marketing manager, Asia Pacific, DuPont Animal Health Solutions, said.

The new facility also will produce DuPont(TM) Rely+On(TM) products for hospital use. DuPont(TM) Rely+On(TM) Virkon(R), and DuPont(TM) Rely+On(TM) Perasafe(TM) are part of DuPont(TM) Rely+On(TM) Prevention Solutions to reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria in hospitals in two distinct areas: decontamination of reusable medical devices (e.g., flexible endoscopes and ultrasound probes) and cleaning-with-disinfection of surfaces in the patient environment, clinical areas, equipment, and decontamination of body fluid spills.

The Baddi facility, which will start its operations by the end of this month, will have full manufacturing capabilities to produce both powdered and liquid chemistries for the animal and human health markets to enable DuPont to serve the Indian market efficiently and effectively.

DuPont science for safety and protection is focused on finding solutions to help protect people, property, operations and the environment by leveraging and expanding 205 years of DuPont experience as one of the safest companies in the world. It is dedicated to using its science and technology to provide clean and disinfect technologies to help prevent disease and improve productivity in the food, healthcare, household, institutional and industrial markets.

DuPont India is a subsidiary of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. The DuPont association with India dates to 1802, when the first shipment of raw materials for black powder for explosives was imported from India into the United States. Today, DuPont India, with more than 700 employees and growing at more than 25 percent per year, markets a wide range of products in various industry segments. The company has six production facilities in three locations for DuPont Crop Protection, DuPont Engineering Polymers, DuPont Refinish, and Pioneer(R) hybrid seeds.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

Source: DuPont

Contact:
Krishnakoli Dutta of DuPont India
Tel: +91-124-4095004
E-mail: [email protected]

Stephanie Jacobson of DuPont United States
Tel: 302-774-4335
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.dupont.com

July 30, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI — Ecology Coatings, Inc., the global leader in the development of nano-enabled, ultraviolet (UV)-curable, clean technology coatings, today announced that it completed its reverse merger with OCIS Corporation on July 26, 2007.

As previously announced on April 30, 2007, OCIS Corp. and Ecology Coatings entered into a merger agreement, which called for OCIS to acquire Ecology Coatings in a statutory merger with Ecology Coatings becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of OCIS. On July 26, 2007, Ecology Coatings merged with OCIS and became the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of OCIS, which then changed its name to Ecology Coatings, Inc.

“The successful completion of this transaction coupled with Ecology Coatings’ common stock listing on the OTC Bulletin Board(R) are both major milestones for us. Our listing on the OTCBB will provide us with access to new investors, new sources of capital with which to grow our company, and greatly enhance our visibility and market awareness of our outstanding line of leading-edge, clean technology coating products,” states Richard D. Stromback, chairman of the board of directors for Ecology Coatings.

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, the board of directors and executive officers of OCIS Corp. resigned and were replaced by the board and officers of Ecology Coatings, who have become the new board and executive officers of the surviving entity.

The company also announced the addition of the following individuals to the executive team:

  • David W. Morgan — vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer. Prior to joining Ecology Coatings, Morgan served as the vice president of finance and corporate development, chief financial officer, and treasurer of TechTeam Global, Inc. a publicly traded, worldwide provider of information technology and business process outsourcing services. He has also served as the CFO of two other public and private technology companies addressing the industrial manufacturing sector. Morgan holds a B.A. degree in economics and political science from the University of Michigan.
  • Tim Tanner — vice president of business development. Tanner joined Ecology Coatings with more than 19 years of experience in the development and marketing of UV-curable coatings for Redspot Paint and Varnish and North American Lighting. Tanner was instrumental in developing both domestic and global automotive lighting applications for UV products and in establishing strategic relationships with Japanese and European partners. Tanner holds a B.S. degree in chemistry from Murray State University.

“Dave’s extensive experience as the CFO of multiple high-tech public and private companies and Tim’s long term experience with UV-curable coatings are perfectly suited to meet our organizational needs and growth expectations for Ecology Coatings. They are welcome additions to our executive team,” states F. Thomas Krotine, president and chief executive officer of Ecology Coatings.

About Ecology Coatings, Inc.
Ecology Coatings, Inc. is the global leader in the development of nano-enabled, ultraviolet-curable, clean technology coatings that are designed to drive efficiencies and clean processes in manufacturing. The company creates proprietary coatings with unique performance attributes by leveraging its platform of integrated nano-material technologies. Ecology Coatings collaborates with industry leaders to develop high-value, high-performance coatings for applications in the specialty paper, automotive, general industrial, electronic, and medical sectors of the economy. For information about Ecology Coatings and its product offerings, call (248) 723-2223 or visit www.ecologycoatings.com. Ecology Coatings’ common stock is traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “ECOC”. Founded in March 1990 and headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, MI, Ecology Coatings also maintains a product development facility in Akron, OH.

Source: Ecology Coatings, Inc.

July 31, 2007 — /PRnewswire/ — ALLENTOWN, PA — Akrion, Inc., a supplier of semiconductor surface preparation equipment, recently received an order for a Velocity single-wafer cleaning system from a world leading manufacturer of semiconductor devices. The Velocity will be shipped to the logic and memory device manufacturer’s U.S. fabrication plant within the next 90 days. The system will be used for defect removal in the production of NAND flash devices. NAND flash is used for consumer products such as USB flash drives and for MP3 players.

Velocity is Akrion’s most advanced single-wafer platform. Its design uses controlled physical force technologies that assist ultra-dilute chemicals for critical defect removal applications. Velocity’s physical cleaning technology includes Goldfinger(R) megasonics for defect removal as well as JetStream-Nano(TM) spray which can be combined with the megasonic for an additional cleaning advantage. Other available technologies include chemical micro-dispense for very low chemical usage and the Sahara(TM) watermark-free surface tension gradient dryer.

In addition to configurations for sensitive structure defect removal, Velocity systems are available for both aluminum (Al) and copper (Cu) back-end-of-line (BEOL) post etch/ash cleaning and for front-end-of-line (FEOL) post ash cleaning applications.

About Akrion
Akrion is a provider of advanced surface preparation systems used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices. The company’s products, which include single-wafer and batch-immersion cleaning systems, are used in the production of a wide variety of semiconductor devices, including logic devices, analog devices, flash memory, DRAM and MEMS and are used to clean bare silicon and test wafers as well as photomasks. Headquartered in Allentown, PA, Akrion’s Allentown production facility is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001:2004 certified. For further information, please visit Akrion’s Web site: http://www.akrion.com/.

Source: Akrion, Inc.

August 1, 2007 — /PRNewswire/ — ANN ARBOR, MI — MichBio, the statewide trade association for Michigan’s life sciences industry, has completed the program and begun online registration for its MichBio Expo set for October 16-17 in Lansing. The Expo is the largest single gathering of life sciences professionals in the state, attracting more than 500 participants and more than 60 exhibitors last year.

“We are very pleased to announce that we have doubled the number of sessions offered this year,” says Stephen T. Rapundalo, PhD, MichBio executive director. “In addition to tracks on research & development and medical affairs & markets, we have added bio-agriculture & industrial biotechnology and emerging businesses to encompass a broader range of life sciences and appeal to companies at every stage of development.”

Each track will include three related sessions with expert speakers addressing specific topics. The program also includes three general sessions entitled, “Legislative Reform 2007: What Your Life Sciences Company Doesn’t Know May Cost You,” “Future Trends & Technologies: Hot Topics,” and “Meet the Press: Communicating with Media and Investors as You Advance Your Product to Market.” Business Development meetings, where company representatives can meet one-on-one with development and procurement executives from national pharmaceutical and medical device companies, will be held once again this year. The full Expo program and individual session descriptions may be viewed at www.michbio.org/Expo.

“The theme for this Expo is ‘Michigan Life Sciences: Gaining the Edge’ and with the robust collection of topics and high quality speakers we will spotlight, along with numerous networking opportunities we have structured into the Expo, this should be a great place to get momentum in achieving that goal,” Rapundalo adds.

Keynote speakers will include James C. Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and LouAnna K. Simon, PhD, president of Michigan State University, with welcoming remarks from Virg Bernero and Samir Singh, mayors of Lansing and East Lansing, respectively.

The Expo begins October 16 with tours of life science company facilities in the Lansing region and a gala reception in the exhibit and innovation hall, which will showcase more than 65 life science companies and service providers during the reception and throughout the day on October 17. Online registration and information about sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities is at www.michbio.org/Expo.

MichBio Expo sponsors include the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Pfizer, Michigan State University, Dykema, Harness Dickey, Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, PhRMA, Asterand, and Business Review.

MichBio is the statewide trade association committed to building Michigan’s life science industry into a growth engine that will drive a revitalized economy. Its members are life sciences companies, academic and research institutions, bioscience service providers, and related organizations. MichBio is dedicated to fostering their collective impact by connecting its members with the essential resources, including goods, services, educational and networking programs, legislative representation, and partners that facilitate success.

Source: MichBio