No alchemy is involved in the process, just basic engineering. Since most automobile catalysts contain platinum and other precious metals, what IBC does is recover as much of these platinum group metals (PGMs) as possible using a process known as SuperLig. Unlike mining ores straight from mines, recovery of metals from these other sources is known as secondary refining.
The technology used to recover these materials is fairly simple. The PGMs in the catalyst are first leached in a hydrochloric acid bath. Then, through molecular recognition-based solid phase extraction, the individual PGMs are separated one at a time. The separated PGM is then stripped off as a purified concentrate for subsequent collection as a metal or other salable product. Once the entire process is complete, the metal is restored to better than 99.95 percent purity.
The operating costs of the process can be as low as a few dollars per ounce, depending on the PGM recovered. The only chemicals used on a continuous basis are water, hydrochloric acid and a final precipitating or reducing agent or process.
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To be eligible, a site must be related to the manufacturing industry, but can be hosted by a university, trade association, manufacturer, distributor, engineering organization, etc. The site must be real, verifiable and have a current user community. For details regarding eligibility and other rules, or to nominate a site, contact Autumn J. Katarincic at 1-800-569-9789 no later than midnight on Jan. 1, 1996.
While 38 percent of the companies that think they'll expand in the next five years say they are likely to build or relocate in their current headquarters' states, only 18 percent will consider another state where they currently have another facility. Two companies in five are likely to target another state where they have no physical presence (25 percent) or even another country (14 percent).
Facilitating manufacturer relocation is the aggressive posture numerous states and countries are assuming in an effort to attract major manufacturing operations. According to Grant Thornton's study, 55 percent of all manufacturers have been contacted by other states and 29 percent have been contacted by other countries to determine their interest in building or relocating there.
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the study, contact either John Koegel or Liz DeIuliis in the Grant Thornton LLP Public Relations Department: (212) 599-0100.
"These forward-thinking companies are shining examples of American manufacturing's comeback," said Jerry Jasinowski, NAM president. "They represent manufacturing's renewed emphasis on product quality and customer satisfaction, a commitment that has restored faith in American-made products and has helped make the U.S. economy the strongest in the world."
Armstrong World Industries' Building Products Operations, Lancaster, Pa., is a manufacturer of acoustic ceiling systems for commercial and residential markets, and has seven manufacturing facilities across the country. Corning Telecommunications Products Division, Wilmington, N.C., is a manufacturer of optical fiber, and provides products for 30 different countries.
"We are taking an aggressive approach to our marketplace," said Enterprise Planning president Michael Ker. "The software industry, and the manufacturing niche we serve, will be affected in coming years by the growth of the World Wide Web. We intend to take the leadership position."
Enterprise will continue to sell its UNIX-based systems, targeted primarily at Fortune 500 companies, for full price. Enterprise expects to turn a profit on the software by selling copies of add-on modules-WebParts, WebPlanner and WebPlant-to manufacturers that begin using the fully functional WebPLAN available on the Web. WebPLAN is provided with a full function MRP processing engine to permit single-user MRP simulation runs, a demonstration database of parts, product structures, demand and supply records for a company that manufactures bicycles. The company also offers information on how to load your own company's data into WebPLAN to get the full benefits of the system. Technical support is available via the Internet.
To download WebPLAN, point your Web browser to http://www.enterprise.on.ca/ and follow the directions.