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11/08/2000
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| Capacity expansion for malononitrile and new process manfufacturing of sodium dicyanamide |
Basel, November 8, 2000 - Following the increasing demand of malononitrile, Lonza successfully commissioned a capacity expansion for this product series in the Visp works in 2001 stressing Lonza's commitment to play a leading role in supplying the chemical industry with sophisticated intermediates. Sodium dicyanamide has been produced at Lonza since more than 25 years and is going to be produced according to a new process.
Malononitrile is an important building block for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, e.g. triameterene, adenine and methotrexate and vitamin B1. It is also used in the agrochemicals industry for the production of sulfonylurea herbicides as well as in special dyestuffs for colour photography and synthetic fibres.
Sodium dicyanamide is used mainly for the production of chlorhexidine and its salts. Chlorhexidine is a versatile bactericide which is used for hard surface (cleaning hospital floors) as well as for soft surface (hand scrubs, soaps, tooth paste, etc.). It is also used for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals (antimalarial) and agrochemicals.
Lonza Group is a specialty chemicals company headquartered in Switzerland, with sales of CHF 2.2 billion in 1999 and operating 20 facilities in 8 countries. It employs 5,600 people worldwide and is the leading supplier of active chemical intermediates and biotechnology solutions to the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries. It also offers a broad catalogue of organic intermediates for a wide range of applications such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, vitamins, food and feedstuff, dyes and pigments, adhesives and fragrances as well as polymers and plastics. Furthermore the Group manufactures specialty biocides and oleochemicals.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Walter Eschenmoser
Tel +41 61 316 8363
Fax +41 61 316 8220
walter.eschenmoser@lonzagroup.com
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