Latest news with #AdvancedMaterials
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Calicut University researchers develop LED tech using gold-copper alloy nanoclusters
MALAPPURAM: Researchers at the University of Calicut have made a significant breakthrough in next-generation light-emitting diode (LED) technology by engineering an innovative LED device using gold-copper alloy nanoclusters. The cutting-edge research, spearheaded by Dr Shibu Sidharth and his PhD student Dr Rival Jose from the Department of Nanoscience and Technology, has resulted in the creation of a nanocluster-based LED (NC-LED) that delivers a saturated pure red emission with an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 12.6%—among the highest ever recorded for its class. This remarkable discovery has been published in Advanced Materials (Wiley), a globally acclaimed journal in materials science with an impact factor of 27.4. This marks the first time a research article from the University of Calicut has appeared in such a high-impact journal, cementing the institution's rising stature in global scientific research. The innovation centres on atomically precise nanoclusters made of a few metal atoms -- specifically, a gold-copper (Au-Cu) alloy. These tiny clusters, although invisible to the naked eye, exhibit extraordinary photophysical properties such as intense light emission, high thermal and photostability, and strong environmental compatibility. Unlike conventional LEDs, this new device does not rely on toxic or expensive materials and is fabricated through a simple, solution-processed, and eco-friendly method -- making it both sustainable and scalable. Dr Shibu Sidharth, the lead researcher, emphasised the dual significance of this work: 'Not only have we pushed the frontier in nanocluster-based LED efficiency, but we've also demonstrated that high-impact innovations can emerge from Indian state universities. This is a proud moment for the University of Calicut and for India.'
Fibre2Fashion
06-06-2025
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Aditya Birla Group acquires Cargill's US specialty chemicals facility
Aditya Birla Group, a leading Indian multinational conglomerate and the largest Indian investor in the United States, announced the expansion of its U.S. Advanced Materials business with the acquisition of Cargill Incorporated's 17-acre specialty chemical manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia. The acquisition continues Aditya Birla's expansion in the United States' manufacturing sector, a key aspect of Aditya Birla's growth strategy, which now totals over $15 billion in investment. Aditya Birla Group has acquired Cargill's 17-acre specialty chemical plant in Dalton, Georgia, expanding its US Advanced Materials business. The move adds 50 employees, with plans to boost capacity from 16,000 to over 40,000 tons. The facility will serve marine, coatings, and flooring industries, while also targeting automotive, renewable energy, and aerospace sectors. 'This acquisition represents Aditya Birla's strategic entry into the U.S. chemicals industry, extending the business model of our other successful manufacturing businesses in the United States, including Novelis and Birla Carbon,' said Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group. 'Our growth strategy in the United States is anchored in a commitment leverage our deep manufacturing expertise to support the revitalization of the growing American manufacturing sector. We look forward to investing in and expanding this foundational facility and identifying other strategic assets to drive growth.' With this acquisition, the Advanced Materials business welcomes 50 employees. The business plans to expand the facility's current capacity of 16,000 tons per year to over 40,000 tons over the next two years, affirming the business's commitment to local operations and job creation. The acquisition was executed through Aditya Birla Chemicals (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd. "This acquisition by our Advanced Materials business will strengthen cooperation with customers in developing next-generation products,' said Mr. Jayant Dhobley, Business Head of CFI, Aditya Birla Group, 'We remain committed to further investments at this site in the coming months and will introduce advanced technologies from our global operations.' Aditya Birla Group will continue to manufacture the plant's current output of formulated resins, curing agents, reactive diluents and polyaspartic resins for the marine, industrial coatings, and flooring industries, which include epoxy resins, modifiers, curing agents, and other specialty chemicals sold under the brands CHEMCURE, ChemMod, Altor, Acme Shield, and ChemRes. Additionally, the Advanced Materials business will introduce products for the automotive, renewable energy and aerospace industries, including its patented chemistries to enable recycling of epoxy composites used in wind, sports goods, pressure vessels and other applications. "This acquisition reinforces our commitment to expanding our Advanced Materials business in the United States and globally. Establishing a local presence in the U.S. will enable us to serve regional customers more efficiently and collaborate closely to develop tailored solutions. We are excited to leverage this facility to enhance its capabilities and broaden our product offerings for our customers,' said Mr. Rajesh Balakrishnan, CEO of Aditya Birla Group – Advanced Materials business. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Aditya Birla group acquires Cargill's specialty chemical unit in US
The Aditya Birla Group has acquired Cargill Incorporated's 17-acre specialty chemicals manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia, marking its strategic foray into the US chemicals sector. The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition was made through Aditya Birla Chemicals (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd., and will bolster the group's Advanced Materials business. With this purchase, Aditya Birla Group's cumulative investment in the U.S. manufacturing sector now exceeds $15 billion. 'This acquisition represents Aditya Birla's strategic entry into the U.S. chemicals industry, extending the business model of our other successful manufacturing businesses in the United States, including Novelis and Birla Carbon,' said Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group. 'Our growth strategy in the United States is anchored in a commitment leverage our deep manufacturing expertise to support the revitalization of the growing American manufacturing sector. We look forward to investing in and expanding this foundational facility and identifying other strategic assets to drive growth,' he added. With this acquisition, the Advanced Materials business welcomes 50 employees. The business plans to expand the facility's current capacity of 16,000 tons per year to over 40,000 tons over the next two years, affirming the business's commitment to local operations and job creation.
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Aditya Birla Group buys Cargill's speciality chemical facility in US
The Aditya Birla Group has acquired Cargill Inc.'s speciality chemical manufacturing facility in Dalton, Georgia, as part of its strategy to deepen its presence in the US chemicals sector and expand its advanced materials business, for an undisclosed amount. The deal, executed via Aditya Birla Chemicals (USA) Inc., a wholly owned unit of Aditya Birla Chemicals (Thailand) Ltd, adds to the Indian conglomerate's more than $15 billion US portfolio, which already includes Novelis and Birla Carbon. The Dalton facility spans 17 acres and produces a range of speciality chemicals, including epoxy resins and curing agents. The Advanced Materials unit plans to more than double the site's capacity from 16,000 tonnes to over 40,000 tonnes within two years and retain its 50 employees, the company said in a statement on Tuesday. 'This marks a strategic entry into the US chemicals industry and aligns with our broader commitment to support the revival of American manufacturing,' said Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla. 'We see significant opportunity to grow and modernise this facility and continue to look for other strategic assets.' The company also plans to introduce advanced materials for the automotive, renewable energy, and aerospace sectors, including proprietary technologies to recycle epoxy composites used in wind turbines, sports equipment, and pressure vessels. 'Establishing a local presence enables us to serve regional customers more efficiently and co-develop tailored solutions,' said Rajesh Balakrishnan, CEO of the Advanced Materials business. 'We're excited to enhance the facility's capabilities and expand our product offerings.' Jayant Dhobley, Business Head of Chemicals, Fashion & Insulators at Aditya Birla Group, said further investment at the Dalton site is expected in the coming months, along with the integration of technologies from the group's global operations.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkema SA (ARKAF) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Resilient Performance Amidst Challenging ...
EBITDA: EUR1.53 billion in 2024, up 2% year-on-year. Adhesive Solutions EBITDA Margin: 15.1%, up from 14% the previous year. Advanced Materials EBITDA Margin: 20%. EBITDA Margin: 16.1%, slightly up from the previous year. Revenue: EUR9.5 billion in 2024, stable year-on-year. Volume Growth: 2.4% overall, with more than 3% in specialty materials. Price Effect on Sales: Negative 3% due to raw material price evolution. Recurring EBIT: EUR895 million, with a margin of 9.4%. Adjusted Net Income: EUR616 million, EUR8.23 per share. Recurring Cash Flow: EUR419 million in 2024. Capital Expenditure: EUR761 million in 2024. Free Cash Flow: EUR358 million, including nonrecurring outflow of EUR61 million. Net Debt: EUR3.2 billion, with a net debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.1 times. Dividend Proposal: EUR3.60 per share, up almost 3% from the previous year. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with ARKAF. Release Date: February 27, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Arkema SA (ARKAF) delivered a solid set of results in 2024, with an EBITDA of EUR1.53 billion, up 2% year-on-year. The Adhesive Solutions segment achieved a record high EBITDA margin of 15.1%, driven by value pricing and synergies from recent acquisitions. Advanced Materials segment maintained a robust 20% EBITDA margin, supported by growth in high-performance polymers and innovation in sustainable applications. The company achieved a balanced geographical footprint, with each main region representing approximately one-third of sales, and Asia being the fastest-growing region. Arkema SA (ARKAF) made significant progress in CSR initiatives, including decarbonization efforts and increasing diversity in management positions. The macroeconomic environment remained challenging throughout 2024, impacting overall demand and performance. Coating Solutions faced downturn activities in Europe and the US due to low cycle conditions in upstream acrylics. The Intermediate segment's EBITDA is expected to decrease by roughly EUR30 million in 2025, reflecting quota reductions in refrigerant gases. The company anticipates a soft demand at the beginning of 2025, with some areas like adhesives experiencing a slowdown. Arkema SA (ARKAF) faces uncertainties related to geopolitical factors, such as tariffs, which are causing customers to hold back orders. Q: Could you elaborate on the assumptions behind your full-year 2025 guidance, particularly at the lower end of your target? Are you still expecting around EUR100 million contributions from new projects? A: The EUR100 million contribution from new projects is sensitive to macroeconomic conditions. While we expect growth in 2025, the extent will depend on macroeconomic developments. If conditions remain challenging, we might be at the lower end of the guidance. However, if the macroeconomic environment improves, we could reach the higher end of the range. Our focus remains on self-help initiatives to deliver superior performance compared to last year. Q: Can you explain the strength in the downstream Coating Solutions business versus the weakness in upstream acrylics? Is this a supply issue? A: The weakness in upstream acrylics is not due to supply issues but rather low demand, particularly in Europe and the US. We are currently at a low point in the cycle for acrylics. However, we view this as a mid-term upside opportunity for the company, as normalized conditions could bring significant EBITDA improvements. Q: Regarding the recurring cash flow target of EUR600 million for 2025, what should we expect in terms of nonrecurring items? A: The nonrecurring items in 2024 were significantly impacted by startup costs for the Singapore site and M&A transaction costs. Historically, nonrecurring items have been around EUR60 million. The EUR600 million target for recurring cash flow assumes normal IFRS cash flow generation, excluding lease costs. Q: How do you view the competitive landscape in the adhesives market, especially with increased M&A activity in construction chemicals? A: The adhesives market has seen consolidation, but the competitive landscape remains stable for our product lines. We see opportunities in roofing and industrial adhesives, and we continue to participate in market consolidation. The stability of major players and consolidation of smaller ones present opportunities for growth. Q: Can you provide more details on the impact of recent legislation on PFAS in France? A: The recent PFAS legislation in France concerns a ban on certain substances in textiles, cosmetics, and cookware. Arkema does not supply these markets, so there is no impact on our business. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
