News in brief

Parker Hannifin has bought Honeywell's solenoid valve business for an undisclosed sum. The business, while still profitable, is no longer a core activity for Honeywell, the company explains. Two firms will be transferred in the sale: Skinner Valve, which employs 250 people in Connecticut; and Lucifer, with a similar number of employees in Geneva.

Fine chems split for DSM

Dutch chemicals major DSM has separated its fine chemicals division into two units: DSM Fine Chemicals, concentrating on pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, flavours and fragrances; and DSM Specialty Intermediates, supplying compounds for end-users in these businesses. The divisions should generate sales of around Fls1.5billion and Fls500million, respectively, the company says.

Amoco opens Asian plant...

Amoco and Mitsui have opened their latest joint venture plant: a 350000tpa purified terephthalic acid unit in Indonesia. The plant will serve the fast-growing Indonesian polyester industry, the companies say.

Shell's China subsidiary is to form a joint venture with the Jinling Petrochemical Corporation to modernise, expand and operate an expandable polystyrene plant in Nanjing. JPC built the plant in 1991, using Shell's licensed technology. The joint company will install advanced technology and expand the unit from 10000tpa to 28000tpa; JPC will supply the styrene monomer feedstock. Shell will own 60 per cent of the joint venture.

UK firms to help at Chernobyl

British companies are to link up with the Chernobyl Centre for Nuclear Safety, Radioactive Waste and Radioecology to help Ukrainian scientists and engineers tackle the aftermath of the Chernobyl reactor disaster and make the country's nuclear power stations more safe. Science and energy minister John Battle announced £200000 of DTI funding for collaborative projects, aimed at closing down the Chernobyl complex by the year 2000.