Air Filtration Market News for July 09

 

Here are the excerpts for the month of July ’09 to the Air Filtration & Purification Markets Updates.  For more information to Air Filtration & Purification Markets, click on:  http://www.mcilvainecompany.com/brochures/air.html#n022 .

 

 

Many projects, mergers and acquisitions are detailed in monthly updates in the Market Report’s Chapters under Industry Analysis: Aerospace, Food, Disk Drive, Flat Panel, Metalworking, Other Electronics, Pharmaceutical, Power, Pulp Mills, Semiconductor and Transportation.

 

CONSTRUCTION

U.S. Commercial Construction to Drop in 2009 and 2010, Report Says

Construction spending on offices, retail centers and hotels is likely to fall 16 percent this year and 12 percent in 2010, more than previously forecast, the American Institute of Architects said.

 

Spending on office buildings is forecast to sag 22 percent this year and 17 percent in 2010, while retail construction probably will sink … Hotel construction is likely to decline 26 percent this year ……………………………………………..

 

US Housing Starts Rose in June

The Commerce Department reported housing starts rose 3.6 percent in June to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 582,000 units. Single-family starts accounted for all of the increase, rising 14.4 percent. Multi-family starts fell 25.8 percent……………………….

 

Building permits rose 8.7 percent…………………………….

June Canadian Housing Starts Up

Canadian housing starts rose in June on construction of both single- and multiple-unit homes, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said recently. The total housing starts were 140,700 units on an annualized basis compared with a revised 130,300 units in May………………

 

FINANCIALS

Ahlstrom Interim Report January-June 2009

April-June 2009 compared to April-June 2008:

·           Net sales were EUR 398.9 million (465.9).

·           EBIT amounted to EUR 9.7 million (19.4). The figure includes non-recurring items of EUR -3.0 million (-0.1).

·           Profit before taxes was EUR 4.7 million (14.2) and earnings per share were EUR 0.05 (0.22)

COMPANY NEWS

Fiberweb to Invest In New Meltblown Capacity

Fiberweb announced recently that it will be making a significant investment at the company’s operation in Biesheim, France, to substantially increase production of meltblown nonwoven media.    The investment will significantly increase its capacity for production of air filtration media used in medical facemasks, respirators and HVAC applications……………….

 

Fiberweb Board Approves Fitesa Joint Venture

Fiberweb shareholders have approved a deal that will form a joint venture between its North American assets and Brazilian roll goods producer Fitesa. The deal creates the second largest producer of spunmelt nonwovens in the region……………………………………

 

Ahlstrom to Close Down Two Nonwovens Production Lines in Italy

 The Gallarate plant will be closed as well as one production line in Cressa due to low market demand and weak long-term profitability……………………….

 

Contrary to the original announcement on January 7, 2009, the Carbonate plant will not be closed..........................................................................................................

Avanti to Launch First North American Line

With more than 15 years of experience as an importer of spunbond nonwovens, Avanti Manufacturing, headquartered in Cranbury, NJ, is transitioning into the manufacturing arena. The company is establishing its first nonwovens production facility, which will be based in Clarksville, TN and have a capacity of 4500 metric tons per year. The plant will begin commercial production of polypropylene spunbond nonwovens this month and represents a $13 million capital investment………………………………………………

Flanders Names Tom Justice Chief Operating Officer 

Flanders Corporation (NASDAQ: FLDR) has appointed industry veteran Tom Justice, 56, as its new Chief Operating Officer.........................................................................

 

Electrocorp Field Tests Indicate H2S Levels Reduced for Homeowners Affected by Chinese Drywall

Electrocorp, an industrial air purification company, is receiving national attention after field testing by a Florida company showed levels of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) and other gases, emitted from tainted Chinese drywall that was used to build hundreds of thousands of homes across North America, were reduced by 80 percent to 90 percent after only 24 hours of operating Electrocorp's air purification equipment……………………………………

 

NEW PRODUCTS

Filtrete Line of Vacuum Accessories Launches at Target

Filtrete™ brand has launched its premium vacuum accessory line in Target stores. The product line at Target features 36 types of bags, filters and belts, covering Eureka, Hoover, Bissell, Dirt Devil, Kenmore and Panasonic brands within the market. All Target stores nationwide now exclusively feature the Filtrete line of vacuum bags, belts and filters……………

 

High-Tech 'Smart' Face Mask Helps Hong Kong Families Combat Swine Flu 

Filligent's affordable patented anti-microbial face mask, the BioMask™ traps and kills germs like H1N1 upon contact. The BioMask was recently launched at Asia's leading drugstore chain, Watsons. In addition, Hong Kong's biggest travel agency, Hong Thai, will be providing the BioMask on a complimentary basis to all air travelers through the end of August………

 

 

Bob McIlvaine

847-784-0012 ext. 112

rmcilvaine@mcilvainecompany.com