Under the motto of “From Melt to Yarn,” Oerlikon’s Manmade Fibers Segment provides producers of manmade fibers like polyester or polyamide with an integrated complete solution covering all steps of the polymer melt production process that extends to finished fibers, yarn or nonwovens. “By using engineering services to position ourselves on the level of raw materials production, we will be able to better utilize the position of this global growth market in the future,” says Stefan Kross, CEO of the Oerlikon Segment Manmade Fibers. In the technology-driven and less cyclical business involving projects and systems used to make manmade fibers, Oerlikon supplies a concentrated, financially robust customer base that, altogether, is responsible for about half of the annual production of fibers and filaments. China is the largest producer of manmade fibers. The amount of fibers produced by the People’s Republic grew by 60 % between 2008 and 2012, and now totals 36.1 million tons. This represents a world-market share of 65 %. Oerlikon has been located in China since 1984 and has played a major role in the expansion of the manmade fiber industry there. Today, the Manmade Fibers Segment works in an international network with production sites in Europe and Asia.

ABB announced its Chongqing Service Station has officially gone into operation, providing comprehensive, fast, and high quality service to southwest customers. With the setup of this new service station, ABB service business expanded to southwest China to supplement its overall business landscape. Chongqing is a key region in southwest China and one of ABB’s priority regions for development. And service stations can help shorten the distance with customers and enable ABB to react faster to customers’ inquiries. Through Chongqing Service Station, ABB will better serve the customers located in Chongqing and neighboring provinces such as Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou. ABB’s full lifecycle management services, including installation and commissioning, spare parts, maintenance, repairs, upgrades and retrofits, training, and consulting, will help southwest customers from industries like power generation, metals, building & infrastructure and oil, gas & petrochemical, achieve good maintenance and appreciation of their assets and improve performance.

ABB announced that it will provide Cosco (Nantong) Shipyard Company with integrated electricity, Azipod® CZ propulsion and automation systems for building two large offshore accommodation platform. With this deal, ABB will further secure its leadership in the marine field. According to the deal, ABB will provide power systems for the two vessels, including generators, switchboards, transformers, and frequency converters. The order will also include the installation of 6 Azipod® CZ units. In addition, ABB will provide an 800xA Extended Automation platform, which includes vessel and power monitoring, emergency shutdown, and fire and gas control systems, as well as fully automated helideck monitoring systems and loading computers. As planned, ABB aims to complete full delivery by next October.

ABB has been selected by Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding Ltd. in China, to supply 24 dry-type propulsion transformers, for installation in 12 diesel-electric powered offshore platform supply vessels. The 2,300-kilovolt ampere (kVA) 480-volt dry-type ABB propulsion transformers will be built at the company’s Trasfor facilities. ABB acquired Trasfor Group, a leading manufacturer of dry-type transformers and inductors for low-voltage and medium-voltage applications. Compact dry-type transformers offer high efficiency and reliability due to fewer moving parts, as well as lower noise levels and weight. They provide electrical propulsion systems with power, helping to reduce carbon emissions at sea, and also improve operational accuracy during critical maneuvers.

ABB announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for strategic cooperation with a Chinese delegation from the Development and Reform Commission of Guangdong Province. The agreement calls for both parties to deepen their cooperation on transportation, energy efficiency, and industrial upgrade. The Chinese delegation to ABB headquarters in Switzerland was led by Hu Chunhua, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and CPC Guangdong Secretary. According to the MoU, ABB will further strengthen its research initiatives in Guangdong province, including the establishment of the ABB R&D Center for Railway Transportation System and Application Center for Industrial Robotics, to support the province’s industrial modernization strategy. ABB will also participate in the construction of green railways with leading technologies and experience in the field to provide green power solutions for inter-city trains, metros & light rail projects to help Guangdong advance the development of mass public transportation infrastructure.

Swiss drugmakers Novartis and Roche said on Wednesday they were not aware they were under scrutiny by Chinese authorities in light of the ongoing investigation into British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline on allegations of bribery. “We have not been contacted by Chinese authorities on this matter,” Novartis Chief Executive Joseph Jimenez told reporters on a conference call. Chinese police on Monday accused British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline of channeling bribes to Chinese officials and doctors through travel agencies to boost sales illegally and raise the price of its medicines in the country. Fellow Swiss drugmaker Roche also said it had not been approached by officials in the country. “We are not aware of any anti-corruption probes in China against Roche. We are committed to ensure the same high standards of compliance for all Roche employees worldwide,” a spokesman said in a statement.

Sulzer wants to focus its activities in three attractive key markets – oil and gas, power, and water. The company is therefore exploring a divestiture of the Sulzer Metco division, which is mainly active in attractive parts of the automotive, aviation, and general industries. The potential divestiture of the Sulzer Metco division would generate additional funds for targeted acquisitions and further investments toward organic growth in Sulzer’s key markets. Sulzer Pumps signed an agreement for the supply and aftermarket support services of high-energy and process pumps with a leading global oil company. The division also established a strategic partnership with Sinopec Corporation, one of the largest oil and gas companies in China. Sulzer Pumps continued to extend its global footprint with new service centers in Brazil, China, and South Africa.

ABB recently displayed a full range of its most advanced products and solutions in intelligent manufacturing at the China (Shanghai) International Technology Fair (CSITF), showcasing ABB’s leading technology and power in this field. Sharing the spotlight with ABB’s efficient motor and frequency converter solutions were industrial robots, including the ABB IRB 120, the world’s smallest robot developed by ABB’s Chinese R&D team, and the IRB 460, the world’s fastest palletizing robot. Running up to 2,190 cycles per hour, the IRB 460 is 15% faster while requiring 20% less space than its peers, and is designed specifically for high-speed, end-of-line palletizing, especially in smaller spaces. The IRB 460 package features integrated hardware with full documentation, reducing overall project costs and significantly reducing set-up time by allowing integrators to more easily specify and design palletizing systems.

ABB was named “Innovator of the Year” at the 2013 Swiss Business Awards Ceremony. LIU Qianjin, Chief Technology Officer of ABB (China) Limited, said, “China is not only the world’s manufacturing hub but also is increasingly becoming a global center of innovation and design. ABB prides itself on being a part of China’s innovation process with efforts to enhance its local research and development capabilities. We are committed to leading the transfer from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Designed in China’ with our technical innovation to bolster China’s rapid economic transformation.” The “Swiss Business Awards 2013” were held by the Swiss-Chinese Chamber of Commerce in order to honor companies and individuals who have contributed to the cooperation and development of Swiss-Chinese business. The “Innovator of the Year Award” was determined based on the following criteria: technology introduction and R&D localization, enhancement of local partner innovation ability, cultivating local talent, and commitment to China’s sustainable economic and social development needs.

SGS Shanghai (China) is now able to conduct testing on toddler beds according to NF D 60-300-4: 2012. This standard defines the safety requirements and test methods for domestic toddler beds for children of approximately 18 months and able to get off alone of their cot and which sleeping surface has a length inferior or equal to 1400 mm. SGS Aix en Provence (France) has extended its testing scope and offers now testing services on carriers for young children including: Framed baby carriers according to EN 13209-1; Soft baby carriers according to EN 13209-2; Slings baby carriers (Type Examination). Armed with these new testing capabilities, SGS Aix en Provence reinforces its position of competence center for the juvenile products industry in Europe.