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05/03/2007
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| Basel, 3 May 2007 – Lonza Group Ltd is pleased to announce that it has acquired the assets of S.A.M. Electron Technologies based in Shawinigan Canada. The acquisition of these assets is concurrent with an exclusive worldwide license for a cerium mediator electrochemical technology (CeTECH™) from Hydro-Québec and lease agreement with the City of Shawinigan.
CeTECH™ is an electrochemical cerium based oxidation technology, recognized by ICIS as the best Process Innovation of 2005, which can be used to produce a variety of high value added compounds. It has been demonstrated on a commercial scale for the production of vitamin K-3. This advanced technology is a cleaner and more environmentally friendly process, which unlike most current vitamin K-3 manufacturing processes, avoids the use of chromium as oxidizing agent and eliminates the production of its undesired chromium by-products. It is a closed system regenerating the cerium with an innovative cell design.
This vitamin K-3 manufacturing capability, along with our existing nicotinate and L-carnitine (Carniking®) production facilities in Visp (Switzerland), Kouřím (Czech Republic) and China, ideally positions Lonza to become the supplier of choice to the animal feed industry and other markets. The acquisition is anticipated to support the acceleration of manufacturing and supply to the industry on a fully commercial scale.
The plant has a nominal production capacity of 400 metric tons per year for vitamin K-3 derivatives and can be quickly expanded to achieve much higher capacities. The Shawinigan operations are anticipated to provide jobs for approximately 20 people locally.
The acquisition closed on 2 May 2007 and is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary under Lonza Canada Inc.
Roman Quinter, Head of Lonza’s Nutrition Business Unit, said: "Lonza is excited about integrating this operation into our overall business portfolio and we are eager to begin working with the S.A.M. team to maximize the production and begin supplying to the global market."
“We look forward to working within the Lonza organization and are excited about the opportunity to maximize the business incorporating Lonza expertise into the process. With Lonza, all the key ingredients are present in order to establish CeTECH™ as a new ecological standard for the production of vitamin K3”, said Bezahd Mahdavi, Founder and former President of S.A.M. Electron Technologies.
About Lonza
Lonza is one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries. Its products and services span its customers’ needs from research to final product manufacture. Lonza is the global leader in the production and support of pharmaceutical active ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Lonza has strong capabilities in large and small molecules, peptides, amino acids and niche bioproducts which play an important role in the development of novel medicines and healthcare products. Lonza is also a leading provider of value added chemical and biotech ingredients to the nutrition, hygiene, preservation, agro and personal care markets.
Lonza is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland and is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange. In 2006 Lonza had sales of CHF 2.91 billion. Further information can be found at www.lonza.com.
For further information:
Investor / Media Relations Lonza
Margot Connor
Tel +41 61 316 8253
Fax +41 61 316 9253
margot.connor@lonza.com
Media Relations Lonza German
Dominik Werner
Tel +41 61 316 8798
Fax +41 61 316 9253
dominik.werner@lonza.com
Investor Relations Lonza
Alexandre Pasini
Tel +41 61 316 8835
Fax +41 61 316 9835
alexandre.pasini@lonza.com
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