WaterBriefs: Chemtura to sell Industrial Water Additives business

In other news below:
-- Ecoloclean' Aquatronics acquires advanced bio-catalytic water purification patent
-- ITT A-C Pump - Pewaukee becomes ITT Flygt
-- YSI unveils new website
-- Aspen Aerogels insulates plastic-lined pipe joints for subsea J-Lay and S-Lay projects
-- Nestle Waters North America reviewing legal options on Mich. case
-- New Jersey American Water, Elizabethtown Water and Mt. Holly Water file for new rates
-- Latin American infrastructure project of year award presented in New Orleans
-- Ashland signs agreement to acquire Degussa water treatment business
-- Cytec named first company to qualify for EPA Sustainable Futures Program
-- AWWA section chief picked to lead Center for Water Education
-- DeepWave well stimulations continue to prove beneficial for oil production
-- Pennsylvania American Water acquires Pine Ridge water system
-- Baker wins U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans contract
-- ClickSoftware announces new solution for water utilities
-- Kadant receives order for $16 million from major paper producer in Asia
-- Heavy rainfall produces wastewater collection line overflows for Trinity River Authority
-- $55B spent annually by regional, local governments to operate water, sewer systems

Chemtura announces expected sale of Industrial Water Additives business -- MIDDLEBURY, CT, March 31, 2006 -- To place greater focus on its core businesses, Chemtura Corp. has signed a letter of intent and is in final discussions to sell its Industrial Water Additives business to a U.K. private equity firm. Excluded from the sale is the Liquibrom^® product line. The signing of a definitive agreement is subject to negotiation of final terms, European regulatory approvals and works councils consultations. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter. Proceeds from the sale will be used primarily for debt reduction...

"This sale is part of our plan to divest non-core assets and businesses. We are focusing our resources on the areas that provide the best fit with our business strategy and will produce the greatest results for us," said Chemtura Chairman and CEO Robert L. Wood.

Industrial Water Additives had pro forma 2005 revenues of approximately $80 million. The letter of intent contemplates that no facilities will be included in the transaction and that Chemtura will continue to manufacture products in its Adrian, MI and Trafford Park, UK facilities and sell to the purchaser via a supply agreement. Industrial Water Additives' approximately 40 non-manufacturing employees are expected to become employees of the buyer.

Chemtura Corp. (www.chemtura.com), with pro forma 2005 sales of $3.9 billion, is a global manufacturer and marketer of specialty chemicals, crop protection and pool, spa and home care products. Chemtura was formed by the merger of Great Lakes Chemical and Compton in July 2005.

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Among other recent headlines:

• Ecoloclean' Aquatronics acquires advanced bio-catalytic water purification patent -- CRYSTAL CITY, TX, March 31, 2006 -- Ecoloclean Industries Inc.'s subsidiary, Aquatronics Industries Inc. of Riverside, RI, has acquired the advanced "Bio-Catalytic" water purification patent rights, which act as an adjunct to the active disciplines engaged in the production and installation of water remediation and provides the company exclusive manufacturing rights to these products. The bio-catalytic process enhances inactivation of pathogenic and other microorganisms, such as bacteria, virus, fungi, and protozoa that are common pollutants to water supplies worldwide. After extensive development and exercise of Aquatronics' current water remediation methodology, a growing need for more effective water-borne bacteria and parasite control arose as a result of recent natural disasters that have left thousands of people void of pure water and at constant risk from a bacteria-laden environment. This product concept is currently undergoing national certification sanctions for multiple uses and applications already established through proto-type and neutral laboratory testing...

• ITT A-C Pump - Pewaukee becomes ITT Flygt TRUMBULL, CT, March 31, 2006 -- Effective April 1, ITT A-C Pump - Pewaukee is changing its name to ITT Flygt. Internally, the organization will be known as Flygt Pewaukee Operations. All of the products manufactured at the Pewaukee, WI, facility will be branded as Flygt products. This includes the complete line of Pewaukee manufactured vertical column pumps, double suction split case pumps, axial flow split case pumps, and the non-clog sewage pumps and accessories. The product model numbers will remain unchanged...
Also see:
-- "Flygt is releasing the most complete sludge pumping portal in the world"
-- "ITT awarded UV water disinfection contract by UK utility"

• New website demonstrates how EcoSense instruments make sense for water sampling
YELLOW SPRINGS, OH, March 31, 2006 -- Anyone who needs simple, straightforward spot sampling capabilities -- for applications in surface water, drinking water, and wastewater -- should learn more about the EcoSense family of products. A new web site -- www.ysiecosense.com -- provides a wide array of information about the products' features, specifications, and application stories. Side-by-side comparison charts and interactive features such as request-a-quote and ask-a-question forms are also available on the site. Additionally, visitors may register to win an instrument...
Also see: "Water monitoring equipment provides window into floodplain restoration project"

• Aspen Aerogels insulates plastic-lined pipe joints for subsea J-Lay and S-Lay projects -- NORTHBOROUGH, MA, March 31, 2006 -- Aspen Aerogels announced today that its nanotechnology-enabled aerogels insulation has been selected by Boreas Consultants for its Pressure Balanced Joint (PBJ™). The aerogel blankets provide an ultra-thin heat shield to protect the plastic during welding. The plastic joint enables joint-by-joint fabrication of plastic lined steel pipe. Plastic lining of subsea water injection pipelines provides a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution to the challenge of internal corrosion. The plastic lining provides the corrosion barrier where the steel pipe provides the strength. To date, plastic linings have only been cost effectively installed in offshore applications by the reeling or tow methods. However, there is an increasing demand to install plastic lined pipelines by alternative J-lay and S-lay (joint by joint) methods. The intent of the PBJ is to enable S-lay and J-lay barges to install plastic lined pipe by offering a qualified, cost effective solution. Boreas Consultants is currently completing a qualification program for water injection pipelines, supported by BP, Statoil, Stolt Offshore, and Bredero Shaw, with a Scottish Executive contribution, in the form of a SPUR grant...

• Nestle Waters North America reviewing legal options on Mich. case -- STANWOOD, MI, March 31, 2006 -- Nestle Waters North America today said it's reviewing potential legal options the company may pursue in a Michigan case that plaintiffs have asked for permission to appeal to the State Supreme Court. Nestle Waters recently received a favorable ruling from the Michigan Court of Appeals, which said the company's Michigan water bottling operation was within rights to use water, similar to all other water users across the state. Plaintiffs in the case, which began in 2001, recently filed an application with the Supreme Court asking the Court to review rulings made by the Michigan Court of Appeals that upheld key aspects of Michigan's historic water use law. Michigan's law, like that of many U.S. states, balances the equal rights of all water users -- including agriculture, manufacturing, domestic, recreation and food and beverage production, among others -- to make fair and reasonable use of water resources...
Also see: "New law intensifies water diversion debate: Some say exporting bottled water is poor route to prosperity" (Michigan Land Use Institute)

• New Jersey American Water, Elizabethtown Water and Mt. Holly Water file for new rates -- Companies file one consolidated rate case -- CHERRY HILL, NJ, March 31, 2006 -- New Jersey American Water, Elizabethtown Water Company and Mt. Holly Water Company, doing business as one combined company, today filed for one consolidated rate increase with the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities to reflect the increased cost of serving two million residents statewide. Since the last rate request in July 2003, the combined Companies have invested over $250 million to replace and upgrade its facilities, infrastructure and sources of supply statewide while absorbing increased expenses, like a 49% increase in energy costs. And though our customers are already enjoying the benefits of many of these improvements, none of the additional investments or increased costs is reflected in the current billing rates...

• 'The Americas Comes to New Orleans': Project of the Year & Lifetime Achievement Awards in the $50 billion Latin American infrastructure market -- NEW ORLEANS, March 31, 2006 -- On March 28-29, 400 of the world's top infrastructure executives worldwide met at the Hilton Riverside in New Orleans, to discuss the 50 best infrastructure projects in Latin America, presented by sponsors from 17 different countries. The 4th Annual Latin American Leadership Forum, an event normally held in Washington, was moved to New Orleans -- as a way to bring business to the city, and as a way of bringing the Americas together. Two major initiatives were presented at the Forum, both focused on improving the velocity and quality of Latin American infrastructure project creation. Antonio Juan Sosa, Vice President - Infrastructure at the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), announced the creation of a special $50 million feasibility study fund; and Francisco Parodi of the U.S. Treasury announced the creation of the Infrastructure Facility of the Americas (IFA), to finance feasibility studies around the region. Both initiatives are targeted at addressing the region's low infrastructure investment rates, just 1.5% of GDP, when the rate needs to be greater than 5% of GDP (creating a $150 billion market)...

• Ashland signs agreement to acquire Degussa water treatment business -- COVINGTON, KY, March 30, 2006 (PRNewswire-FirstCall)-- Ashland Inc. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to purchase the water treatment business of Degussa AG, branded under the Stockhausen name, in a transaction valued at approximately $144 million (120 million euros). Five manufacturing facilities located in Germany, China, Brazil, Russia and the United States are included in the transaction. The Degussa water treatment business posted 2005 sales of nearly $250 million...

• Cytec named first company to qualify for the EPA Sustainable Futures Program -- Speeds Eco-friendly products to marketplace -- WEST PATERSON, NJ, March 30, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cytec Industries Inc. announced that it is the first company to qualify for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Sustainable Futures program which includes approval for a shortened regulatory review process for certain new products. As a result, the EPA's Premanufacturing Notice review period for Cytec's products assessed as low overall risk will be halved from the minimum of 90 days to only 45 days; increasing the speed at which products reach the marketplace...

• Darcy Burke selected to lead Center for Water Education -- HEMET, CA, March 30, 2006 -- Darcy Burke, a water education and water regulatory expert, has been selected as the first executive director of the Center for Water Education near Diamond Valley Lake. Prior to joining the center, Burke was executive director for the California/Nevada Section of the American Water Works Association, serving 8,200 members and over 21,000 certified individuals. While at AWWA, she founded the section's Water College, which educated and trained water treatment and distribution operators...

• DeepWave well stimulations continue to prove beneficial for oil production -- EDMONTON, Canada, March 30, 2006 -- Wavefront Energy and Environmental Services Inc., a provider and licensor of its proprietary DeepWave^SM Technology for improved oil recovery and groundwater remediation is pleased to provide an update on two well stimulations conducted near Bakersfield, CA, in December 2005 and January 2006. Oil production rates of the first well have tailored off from those reported immediately following the stimulation but remain 11 times better than pre-stimulation levels. Initial production results from the second well stimulation also continue to show improvements in oil, water and gas production...

• Pennsylvania American Water acquires Pine Ridge water system in continuing growth in northeast Pa. -- HERSHEY, Pa., March 29, 2006 -- Pennsylvania American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water, announced the acquisition of the water assets of Pine Ridge Community Association. The $2.4 million transaction expands Pennsylvania American Water's customer base by 997 customers in Lehman Township, Pike County. Since 1995, Pennsylvania American Water acquired 21 water and four wastewater systems in northeastern Pennsylvania, which combined serve 165,000 customers. This growth trend took off with the company's acquisition of the former PG&W water system, serving 133,000 customers, primarily located in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties. Most recently, in Pike and Monroe Counties, the company acquired the water and/or wastewater assets of Winona Lakes, Blue Mountain Lakes and Stillwater Lakes...
Also see:
-- "Pennsylvania American Water to implement corrective actions, pay $25,000 fine for December fluoride spill"
-- "New Chesapeake Bay report highlights restoration challenges and successes"
-- "PA DEP, Lycoming County municipalities reach agreement on correction of sewage violations"

• Baker awarded environmental, civil services IDIQ Contract for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' New Orleans District -- ALEXANDRIA, VA, March 29, 2006 -- Michael Baker Jr., Inc., an engineering unit of Michael Baker Corp., announced today the award of a contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District, to provide miscellaneous environmental, coastal, and civil engineering-hydraulic design and related services. The three-year, $1-million-per-year, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract directs Baker to provide services to the New Orleans District's areas of responsibility in New Orleans and Louisiana. The New Orleans District's coverage includes one of the largest Corps of Engineers water resources programs, which is located at the mouth of the Mississippi River that drains 41% of the United States. Fred Muncy, practice director for Baker's water/wastewater practice, said a key objectives of the deal include Task Force Guardian, the Category 5 Hurricane Protection Study, the Louisiana Coastal Area (LCA) restoration project, and other water resources programs...

• ClickSoftware announces new solution for water utilities
-- New solution first in a series of vertically-focused offerings -- BURLINGTON, MA, March 29, 2006 -- ClickSoftware Technologies Ltd., the leading provider of workforce and service optimization solutions, today announced the availability of its ClickSoftware for Water Utilities solution, a packaged offering providing optimized mobile workforce management to the water utilities industry. The new offering is the first in a series of vertically-focused solutions ClickSoftware will be releasing in the coming months. ClickSoftware for Water Utilities is a version of the company's popular ClickSchedule product, pre-configured to facilitate best practices for optimized resource scheduling in the water utilities industry. The solution enables automated optimization, minimizing the need for human intervention in the scheduling process, and supports street-level routing to minimize time and travel costs. And since the solution comes preconfigured, the time and cost risks generally associated with large-scale implementations of service optimization software are significantly minimized...

• Kadant receives order for $16 million from major paper producer in Asia -- ACTON, MA, March 27, 2006 -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE:KAI) today announced that it has received the largest single order in its history -- for approximately $16 million in stock-preparation systems from a leading paper producer in Asia. The equipment, to be supplied by the company's Kadant Black Clawson Inc. subsidiary, will be used to recover and process fiber from waste paper for the production of recycled linerboard and other packaging materials...

• Trinity River Authority of Texas: Heavy rainfall produces wastewater collection line overflows -- IRVING, TX, March 20, 2006 -- Record setting rainfall on Friday, March 17 through Sunday, March 19 caused three separate wastewater over flows from the Trinity River Authority of Texas' Elm Fork wastewater collection system. Wastewater lines are customarily built adjacent to streams, on this occasion the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, to enable wastewater to flow by gravity to treatment facilities. When rainfall and flood water cover collection lines and manholes, water is able to enter or infiltrate into the collection lines. Over flows occur when the combined volume of wastewater and rainfall exceed the capacity of the line. While highly undesirable, the impact was minimized on this occasion by the volume of flood water in both the collection line and the Elm Fork of the Trinity River which ultimately received a portion of the wastewater over flow...
Also see: "Lake Livingston Dam repair progressing rapidly"

• Commercial water, sewer utilities industry small compared to $55B spent annually by regional, local governments to operate their own systems -- DUBLIN, Ireland, March 31, 2006 -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of Water & Sewer Utilities - Industry Profile to their offering. The U.S. commercial water and sewer industry includes about 5,000 companies with combined annual revenue of $7 billion. Large companies include American Water (a unit of RWE); Aqua America; and California Water Service. The industry is fairly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for 65% of industry revenue. The commercial industry is small compared to the $55 billion spent annually on water and sewer services by regional and local governments that operate their own systems. Demand depends on commercial and residential water needs, which are partly related to population growth and partly to the level of economic activity. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficiency of operations, because prices are fixed by public utility commissions (PUCs). Large companies have economies of scale in operations and the ability to raise capital for infrastructure improvements. Small companies can compete successfully through superior engineering or by serving smaller local markets. The industry is capital-intensive; average annual revenue per employee at the large companies is $250,000. Major services are operating water supply systems and operating sewage removal systems. Water services account for 85% of industry revenue, sewer services for 15%. The operations of small or large water and sewer systems and commercial or municipal utilities are identical...
Also see:
-- "U.S. municipal revenue per capita varies widely among cities from $1,000 in El Paso to $7,000 in New York with a national average of $2,000"

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In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Invensys, TiPS partner for global alarm management solutions" -- Also in this report (March 30, 2006): PBS&J signs alliance partner agreement with Enviance; FGD revenues will grow due to new NSR ruling; PureTech Systems joins SAIC Public Safety Integration Center; Gravisand, Astrasand filters from Siemens receive Calif. Title 22 certification; Conversion experience: Bacteria helps convert uranium to immobile form; ESRI recognizes CarteGraph with Foundation Partner Award; HMM engineer receives Young Engineer of the Year honor; Process Control Systems Forum announces keynote speakers for spring meeting; Amiantit wins $20 million in Persian Gulf contracts; Severn Trent Services appoints two executives...

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