Santa's Humongous Carbon Footprint

Yeah, the big jolly guy enjoys a sterling reputation, just like Al Gore. But also like our former VP, his frenetic activity comes at an environmental price.

Learn more about it here.

Then go out and have yourself a Merry Christmas, or whatever politically correct term for it is fashionable these days.

Happy New Year, too. (That's still okay to say, isn't it?) PVF e-News will visit you again and again in 2008. 

Tyco Flow Control To Expand Italian Valve Plant
Tyco Flow Control announced a four-phase plan to expand its Vanessa valve plant in Lugagnano Val d'Arda, Italy . When completed (target date Feb. 2009), the expansion will grow the facility from 30,000 to 50,000 sq. meters. Vanessa valves are used in the oil and gas, power generation, chemical and petrochemical industries.

China Upgrades Steel Pipe Technology
A $54 million upgrade started in November by China’s Ziyang steel pipe plant will increase annual output to 150,000 tons and reach "a nationally advanced level" of product quality, according to Industrial Information Resources . According to IIR, the unprecedented development of China's oil and natural gas industry has brought about a new wave of steel pipe construction, creating huge demand for quality steel pipes. In an effort to strengthen its steel pipe making, the Chinese government has pushed forward reform measures and reshuffled its industry lineup.

McJunkin Red Man To Relocate Midwest DC
McJunkin Red Man Corp. will relocate its Midwest distribution center from the Chicago suburb of Harvey, IL to nearby Munster, IN, according to a report in the Post-Tribune of Northwest Indiana . The newspaper said the company intends to invest more than $2 million in developing a new 100,000 sq. ft. center in a now vacant warehouse facility. The cost will be offset by more than $94,000 in public economic development and job training grants, along with access road improvements pledged by the town of Munster.

Emerson, Westinghouse Extend Nuke Agreement
Westinghouse Electric and Emerson Process Management  announced a 10-year extension to an existing agreement in which Emerson will provide key technology for automation of nuclear power plants that utilize the important Westinghouse AP1000™ design. The AP1000™ is the only Generation III+ design for nuclear power plants to have received design certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The AP1000™ design has been selected as the basis for 12 advanced nuclear plants that could be built in the U.S.  over the next 10 to 12 years.  Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world’s operating nuclear plants, including 60% of those in the United States. The agreement also selects Emerson for modernization of existing facilities.

Outokumpu Restructures Business Units
Effective Jan. 1, Outokumpu  will align its organization into an integrated model of customer segment groups served by dedicated teams. A customer will have a one point contact in Outokumpu to the entire offering of the Group. In the integrated organization Business Units will be in charge of product strategy and overall profitability. The cross-organizational Group Sales & Marketing will be responsible for the delivery of commercial targets, and the Supply Chain Management for the end-to-end delivery performance. Jamie Allan, currently senior vp - Thin Strip, will take up the position of executive vice president - supply chain management.

BP Enters Canadian Oil Sands
BP has announced that it is moving into the Canadian oil sands by acquiring a half-share in the Sunrise field in Alberta operated by Husky Energy. At the same time Husky will acquire a half share in BP's Toledo oil refinery in Ohio, between them forming an integrated North American oil sands business.

EMS Gets Huge Pemex Contract
Energy Maintenance Services Group , LLC (EMS) and its wholly owned subsidiary EMS Energy Services Mexico have been awarded a 10-year, $400 million contract by Mexican state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) E&P division to provide pipeline maintenance and associated services. EMS Group CEO Tim Nesler called it "the largest contract ever awarded to EMS." The 10-year contract begins in January 2008 and will employ approximately 300 individuals to provide pipeline maintenance services across approximately 2,000 kilometers of pipelines.

Plastic Pipe Conference Slated For Dubai
A conference in Dubai from June 2-4, 2008 on Middle East Plastic Pipes will feature papers from regional producers on polyolefin, PVC and GRP pipes, including conditions of higher temperatures, wind and sand erosion. Material suppliers will be talking about the developments in plastics to meet the demands for performance and ease of processing, including SABIC, Dow, Basell and Total. Click here for more information.

 Globalization Explained Soberly

Our favorite economics writer, Newsweek's Robert Samuelson, offers his typical common sense take on the subject of globalization.

Indulge Your Secular Spiritual Side

It's a season for spiritual reflection, and this article qualifies in a secular way by reflecting on our place in the universe.

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PME's Hydronics Webinar Series Continues in 2008