INEMI OPENS OFFICE IN SHANGHAI

The International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), an industry-led consortium, has announced the opening of a representative office in China, located in Pudong, Shanghai. In addition, iNEMI has appointed Haley Fu, PhD, manager of operations-China to coordinate the consortium’s activities in the region. The Shanghai office is the first iNEMI office outside of North America.

“The iNEMI Board of Directors voted in 2006 to open an office in China,” says Nasser Grayeli, chairman of the iNEMI board and vice president of technology for Intel Corp. “It is the logical next step in our phased approach to globalizing iNEMI activities. We began by making the roadmap more global, first in 2004 and then more extensively with the 2007 edition. In addition, our members have formed a China collaboration group that has been active for the past three years. Our office in Shanghai will provide a regional center to support further collaboration among our members, and to help recruit participation from companies in the region.”

iNEMI focuses the expertise of approximately 70 of the leading OEMs, EMS providers, equipment vendors, materials suppliers and software vendors on the issues and problems facing the electronics manufacturing industry today. As a consortium, it provides a neutral environment in which partners and competitors can collectively anticipate future technology and business needs, and effectively develop collaborative courses of action to meet those needs. Deliverables to industry include technology roadmaps, projects focused on deployment of technology and business practices, plus standards development and leadership forums on emerging topics.

For more information, visit www.inemi.org.

SHELL INVESTS IN ADVANTAGED FEEDSTOCK AT MOERDIJK

Shell Nederland Chemie B.V. has announced that it will make a significant investment to strengthen the integration of the Pernis-Moerdijk refinery and chemicals complex in The Netherlands. The investment forms part of an ongoing program to secure the long-term potential and competitiveness of Shell chemical assets in Western Europe, and will concentrate on supplying hydrowax from the Pernis refinery, and other Shell chemical refineries in Europe, to Moerdijk to create an advantaged feedstock position.

The project will focus on the modification of a number of furnaces at Moerdijk to crack hydrowax and modifications to the associated logistics infrastructure at Pernis and Moerdijk. Hydrowax, a by-product from refining hydrocrackers, is available from the Pernis refinery and can offer significant economic advantages compared to conventional ethylene feedstocks. The project is expected to be complete and onstream during the first quarter of 2009.

Graham van’t Hoff, vice president of Base Chemicals Europe, said, “The investment announced today is key to ensuring Pernis-Moerdijk maintains its position as one of the most competitive petrochemical complexes in Europe. By securing advantaged feedstock we maximize the oil chemicals advantage between the two sites and pave the way for further integration. It's about taking a long-term view and being proactive in providing the best possible platform for business sustainability.”

Today’s announcement is the latest in a broader program for Shell chemicals companies in Europe designed to boost the integrity and efficiency of derivative production units and build capacity additions. The program includes an expansion of the Pernis IPA (isopropyl alcohol) plant, reinforcing Shell’s leading global position in IPA, and a recently announced investment to increase flexible polyol capacity at Pernis to meet growing demand for slabstock foam, CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers), and moulding applications.