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Novartis Gets SFDA Approval For Lucentis; Launches Galvu in China [US] [en]
8.02.12, Nasdaq
Novartis AG said it received regulatory approval in China from the State Food and Drug Administration, or SFDA, for Lucentis to treat wet age-related macular degeneration, or AMD. The company is also launching Galvus, an oral treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes approved in China as an add-on to metformin, the standard of care.

Merger Brings New Monopolies For Mining Firms [CN] [en]
7.02.12, Du Juan, China Daily
Chinese companies will face new monopolies in the global mining industry and it will possibly weaken the pricing rights of the domestic traders according to officials. Switzerland-based Xstrata, the world's fourth-largest metals and mining company, announced on Tuesday that it will form a new company named Glencore Xstrata International PLC, together with Glencore, the world's largest publicly traded commodities supplier.

Mainland Remains Popular with PE, VC Firms [CN] [en]
7.02.12, Cai Xiao, China Daily
Though the Chinese venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) industries are undergoing adjustments after a phase of rapid development, many global investment institutions are choosing China as a major investment destination for their new funds. The Swiss investment company Adveq Holding AG set up a $300-million fund in January, and more than half of its funds will be invested in China. Adveq Chairman Bruno Raschle mentioned in media reports that the company would be interested in the key sectors mentioned in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), such as medicine, logistics and next-generation information technology.

Swisslog Secures First PillPick Order in China [CH] [en]
6.02.12, Swisslog
Benxi Central Hospital, one of the leading hospitals in China, will implement the first PillPick system from Swisslog in the country. The PillPick order strengthens the company’s positioning as a leading provider of total logistics solutions for hospitals in China.

China Cuts Subsidies for Solar Energy [CH] [de]
1.02.12, Tages Anzeiger
Chinese government will cut the subsidies for solar energy in 2012 as photovoltaic electricity production costs are falling. The Swiss Federal Department for the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications simultaneously decided to lower subsidies by 10%.

Meyer Burger Climbs Most Since August Amid Year-End Solar Surge [US] [en]
13.01.12, Stefan Nicola, Bloomberg
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd. (MBTN), Europe’s biggest maker of solar-panel equipment, rose the most in five months in Zurich trading amid optimism that the stronger than expected demand at the end of 2011 will continue. Meyer Burger climbed 9.2 percent to 17.25 Swiss francs a share after China said it plans to start developing 3 gigawatts of new solar capacity as part of a target to raise installations to 15 gigawatts in 2015. It was the Swiss company’s steepest one-day gain since 9 August.

GF AgieCharmilles Wins Major Order in China [CH] [en]
11.01.12, Agie Charmilles
GF AgieCharmilles, a corporate group of Georg Fischer, announced today the signing of the largest single order in its history, placed by a well-known Chinese manufacturer of components for electronic devices.The contract calls for the delivery in the first half of 2012 of about 100 EDM (electric discharge machining) and milling machines for a total value exceeding CHF 20 million.

Future is Bright for Thin-film Energy Cells [CN] [en]
30.12.11, Du Juan, China Daily
Bank Sarasin & Cie AG, the Swiss private bank, published a report on the solar sector that said the world's top thin-film PV cell companies are rapidly expanding their capacities. By 2013 each of the top 10 companies will have a minimum production capacity of 500 mW. "With companies such as First Solar, Sharp, Showa Shell, GE and Hanergy as front runners, thin-film technologies should be able to achieve average annual growth rates of 32 percent up to 2013," the report said.

Leclanche and Talesun Solar Collaboration [CH] [en]
23.12.11, Leclanche
Swiss Leclanche, specialized in the production of large-format lithium ion cells and energy storage solutions, announced its intention to collaborate with Talesun Solar, a leading Chinese manufacturer of high quality solar cells and modules to jointly provide a combined solution for the efficient generation and storage of solar energy. A first project has been identified in Southern Europe for 2012 while market opportunities shall also be developed in China and Asia.

Leclanche to Enter Collaboration with Unipower to Strengthen Supply Chain for Lithium Ion Batteries [CH] [en]
23.12.11, Leclanche
Lechlanche announced its intention to collaborate with Beijing-based Unipower, one of the leading manufacturers of large format Lithium Ion cells in Asia to strengthen its supply chain in the field of raw material sourcing for large- format Lithium Ion production.

Global Leader in Precision Instruments Sylvac to Open New Production Plant in China [CH] [en]
22.12.11, Sinoptic
Swiss Precision Instruments company Sylvac recently inaugurated its new production plant in Wujiang, Jiangsu Province. Sylvac SA is one of the world leader in the field of high technology digital measuring instruments.

Chinese Delegation Visits Jenni Energietechnik [CN] [en]
21.12.11, Stephan Kunzi, Berner Zeitung
Governmental representatives from Jianxi Province visited Swiss solar company Jenni Energietechnik during their 3-week trip through Switzerland. Solar pioneer Jenni Energietechnik specializes amongst others in heating systems that store solar energy, which can later be used for heating.

Merck Establishes New MSD R&D Asia Headquarters [CH] [en]
6.12.11, Merck
Merck Serono announced the establishment of an Asia Research & Development (R&D) headquarters for innovative drug discovery and development located in Beijing, China. The new facility is part of a $1.5 billion commitment the company has made to invest in R&D in China over the next five years.

Chinese Company Wins Energy Award [CN] [en]
5.12.11, China Daily
The Chinese company Suntech won a Gigaton Award in the frame of the World Climate Forum on Sunday for outstanding business leadership in carbon emissions reduction. Swiss Telecom operator Swisscom was also honoured with the Gigaton award together with Philips of the Netherlands, Schneider Electric of France and Tesco and Centrica of UK.

ABB Demonstrates Gene of Innovation at “ABB Power World” [CN] [en]
23.11.11, ABB
ABB demonstrated its complete and leading smart grid solution at its “ABB Power World” event on 23 November in Beijing, showing its support to future grid in the fields of a flexible power grid, optimized power generation, smart home, intelligent building, and intelligent production.

ABB continues to Work With Inner Mongolia Power on Anti-Desertification Program [CN] [en]
23.11.11, ABB
ABB launched a three-year anti-desertification program with Inner Mongolia Power (IMPC) and the Ordos Power Supply Bureau (OPSB) on 23 November. This program aims to curb drift sand along the 110kV high voltage transmission lines in Ordos city, ensuring the safe and reliable power transmission through the region while lowering the environmental impact. This is the 2nd time for both parties to carry out an anti-desertification campaign.

SAC and ABB Joint Venture - Nanjing SAC Automation Approved by Government [CN] [en]
22.11.11, ABB
Guodian Nanjing Automation Ltd. (SAC) and ABB jointly announced the establishment of a joint venture Nanjing SAC Automation Co, Ltd. The new JV, approved by MOC the day before, will focus on R&D, design, engineering, manufacturing and sales of the complete substation and distribution automation products and system portfolio (power grid automation) to serve the fast growing market, including utilities, industries, and smart grid applications.

OC Oerlikon Displaces Part of its Business to Shanghai [CH] [de]
22.11.11, Tages Anzeiger
The high-tech company OC Oerlikon moves the textile headquarters to China, as it sells 70 percent of the textile machines in this market. According to the company the reorganisation won’t imply big employment shifts, but by end of 2012 40 percent of all senior management positions shall be situated in Shanghai.

Electronic Company Schweizer Announces Module Production in China [CH] [de]
21.11.11, Solar Server
Schweizer Electronic AG plans entry in Asian Photovoltaic market and announces module production in China. An anti-cyclic investment of 50-60 million US Dollars for a first production line is planned. Schweizer aims to establish its own distribution channels in China as well as a total of 4 production lines of 100MW capacity each, with 20% degree of efficiency.

ABB Tops “2011 China Top 100 Electric Companies” for 8th Consecutive Year [CN] [en]
18.11.11, ABB
ABB retains its top position in terms of the number of companies listed among “2011 China’s Top 100 Electric Companies”, announced by the leading trade magazine Electric Age here today. With 9 of its local companies making the list, ABB has led award category for the 8th consecutive year.

Novartis Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Zhongshan Municipal Government [CN] [cn]
16.11.11, Phoenix News
Novartis AG signed a memorandum of understanding with Zhongshan municipal government on 15 November. Novartis AG is currently planning on building the biggest Generic drugs factory in China. Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee of Guangdong province, Acting Governor Zhu Xiaodan, and other officials participated in this signing ceremony.

Novartis CEO meets with Guangdong Official [CN] [en]
16.11.11, Olivia, News Guangdong
Joe Jimenez, CEO of Novartis, met with Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Governor of Guangdong, Zhu Xiaodan on 15 November. Zhu hopes that Novartis can build its Zhongshan Factory into the largest manufacturing base for generic pharmaceuticals in China and establish an R&D base for OTC pharmaceuticals and generic pharmaceuticals based on the Novartis Sandoz project in Zhongshan city. Joe Jimenez stated that Novartis will further expand the manufacturing base in Zhongshan and build a product distribution center for China market there.

Roche focuses on China after FDA Restriction [CH] [de]
21.11.11, Bernhard Fischer, Tages Anzeiger
The US’ FDA recently withdrew accreditation for Roche’s cancer blockbuster Avastin regarding breast cancer treatment. However Avastin remains Roche’s blockbuster for other types of cancer and the company sees a big potential, especially in China. Roche states that there is a potential sales volume of 500Million CHF in China and India.

Clariant Looks for Sales Catalyst as Some Foreign Firms Withdraw [CN] [en]
11.11.11, Qiu Quanlin, China Daily
Despite a growing number of foreign companies recalling manufacturing business from the Pearl River Delta to their lands of origin, the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant AG believes the Chinese market still offers huge growth opportunities. Clariant has invested 200 million Swiss francs in China and the surrounding region during the past five years. "Looking to the future, China will be the most important market for us, as more Chinese manufacturers move up the value chain to drive demand for specialty chemicals," said Per Sjoeberg, head of Clariant Greater China.

Strong Franc Claims Jobs at Bobst Manufacturer [CH] [en]
8.11.11, Swissinfo.ch
The manufacturer of packaging machines Bobst has become the latest Swiss company to announce job cuts as a result of the strong Swiss franc. The company will axe 420 jobs by the middle of 2013 from its sites in Lausanne, according to a statement issued on Tuesday. The company is further planning to relocate part of its production to China and India.

ABB Powers China’s First Large Scale Shallow Water Offshore Oilfield [CN] [en]
8.11.11, ABB
ABB recently delivered two high-capacity RESIBLOC® dry-type transformers to Chengdao Offshore Oilfield, a subsidiary of Shengli Oilfield in Bohai Bay. ABB equipment will support the oil production platform to achieve efficient and stable operations at China’s first 2 million-ton capacity shallow water offshore oilfield.

ABB Transformers Support Three Major Wind Farm Projects in China [CN] [en]
2.11.11, ABB
ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, recently announced it is providing 3 units of 50MVA main transformers to local partner Wuhan Kaidi Holding Investment Company. ABB transformers will help ensure the efficiency and reliable operations of Wuhan Kaidi Company’s three major wind farms located in the Liaoning Fuxin, Ningxia Yanchi, and Anhui Wangjiang areas of China.

LEM Expanding its Investment in China [CN] [cn]
1.11.11, Sohu News
Swiss provider of innovative and high quality solutions for measuring electrical parameters, LEM is expanding its investment in China. The CEO of LEM Group François Gabella explained to journalist of Sohu IT, “LEM has maintained annual 10%-20% growth in the past 10 years. We put a lot of attention on the cost of our products as well as the quality of our service.”

ABB Showcases its Leadership in Robotics in CIIF 2011 [CN] [en]
1.11.11, ABB
ABB introduced the latest palletizing package products at the 2011 China International Industrial Fair (CIIF) on 1 November, once again demonstrating its leadership in robotics applications and its localization achievement. The HAVAL 6 SUV of Tianjin Great Wall Auto Company is one example of domestic automobiles being produced with ABB robotics.

Clariant Strengthens Asian Presence [CH] [en]
1.11.11, Clariant
Clariant celebrated on 1 November the inauguration of their new regional headquarters in Singapore and also of its newly built ethoxylation plant and application laboratory in Guangdong, China. “Expanding Clariant’s business in the fast-growing Asian region is an important pillar in our profitable growth strategy and a strong commitment to serving our customers and markets,” comments CEO Hariolf Kottmann.

Novartis cutting 2,000 jobs in US, Switzerland to Add in China and India [US] [en]
26.10.11, Simeon Bennett, Bloomberg
Novartis plans to eliminate 2,000 jobs in Switzerland and the United States and add employees in China and India to offset the effect of drug-price reductions. Some research will be moved from Switzerland to the United States, and reductions will be made in technical research and development, data management, clinical-trial monitoring, drug safety and regulatory affairs. Novartis will add 700 positions in China and India in data management and trial monitoring, said Tim Race, an analyst at Deutsche Bank AG.

ABB Participated in PTC Asia 2011 [CN] [cn]
25.10.11, China Automation
Asia’s biggest Power Transmission and Control Exhibition (PTC Asia) was opened on 25 October. ABB and Baldor Electronic Company, a company that ABB had recently acquired, participated in the exhibition. Baldor is a North American leader in industrial motors and its product range and regional scope are highly complementary to ABB’s. This exhibition displays the successful cooperation between ABB and Baldor.

Newly Found Innovation-Drive [CH] [de]
24.10.11, NZZ E-Paper
After the 2009 reduction in R&D investments, international corporations have been putting once again more funds in their innovation accounts. Nevertheless the R&D intensity on international average, i.e. the relation between R&D and turnover, has actually diminished slightly from 3.8 to 3.5%. Swiss R&D intensity has risen thanks to big investors in the pharmaceutical industry such as Roche and Novartis. China and India have augmented their R&D investments considerably by 38%, although their total R&D expenditures still only account for 2% of the world’s total.

Novartis Launches Carbon-Offset Project in Sichuan [CN] [en]
24.10.11, Huang Ying, China Daily
Novartis International AG has planted the first batch of 12,000 trees in Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, in Southwest China's Sichuan province. These trees form a first part of the third carbon-offset project initiated by Novartis worldwide with a total of 10 million more to follow in the next four years, covering 4,328 hectares of deforested mountains. "We chose Sichuan as the location to implement our carbon-offset project in China because it is a fantastic place for biodiversity," said Keith Saveal, head of corporate health, safety and environment at Novartis.

China Sunergy Delivers First Quasar Shipments to Swiss Sunergic [UK] [en]
21.10.11, Nilima Choudhury, PV-Tech
Having previously supplied Sunergic S.A. with 1.1MW worth of photovoltaic modules at the beginning of this year, China Sunergy has chosen the Swiss company to test market reactions on their Quasar modules. These modules are China Sunergy's most advanced high efficiency solar products, which are currently undergoing TUV Rheinland and UL safety and quality product certifications.

ABB Participated in China Wind Power 2011 [CN] [cn]
20.10.11, Phoenix News
China Wind Power 2011 Conference and Exhibition was held on 19 October, with ABB, the leading supplier to the wind power industry of electrical products and solutions, as one of the participants. Jari Tukia, who is in charge of the North Asia Wind Business commented:, “ABB’s 30 years of experience and through understanding of both wind turbine applications and power systems will help China go further in the future.”

ABB Inaugurates its Largest MV Instrument Transformer Production Base in Guangdong [CN] [cn]
18.10.11, ABB
ABB inaugurated their new Instrument Transformer company on 18 October, jointly invested by ABB and Guangdong Sihui Instrument Transformer Works Company. The site will manufacture instrument transformers and epoxy components developed by ABB’s local R&D team with its global advanced technology. It will be ABB’s largest medium voltage instrument transformers production base, and boast the largest single-plant production volume in China’s instrument transformer industry.

ABB Volunteers Share Electrical Safety Knowledge With Local Communities [CH] [en]
14.10.11, ABB
ABB organized a series of CSR activities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xiamen in 2011 to reinforce the concept of electrical safety in local communities with the participation of ABB volunteers. These volunteers introduced tips on power safety and energy conservation to senior citizens in local communities and students from local schools through a variety of activities such as interactive lectures, door-to-door visits, and distribution of the ABB Electrical Safety Manual.

Georg Fischer Pursues its Fast Expansion in China [CH] [en]
13.10.11, Georg Fischer
Georg Fischer continues to expand at a fast pace in the Chinese market. The company recently inaugurated two new plants, bringing its total to 14 production companies in the country. After Beijing, a second plant of GF AgieCharmilles in China was inaugurated in Changzhou, with a capacity of 1000 machines a year. The total investment amounts to CHF 11 million (RMB 80 million). Additionally Chinaust, the 50/50 joint venture of GF Piping Systems and Lingyun Industrial Corp., is adding a new plant in Haining that produces polyethylene pipes for gas and water, an investment of CHF 12.8 million (RMB 93 million).

LEM Board Meeting Held in Beijing [CN] [cn]
11.10.11, China Automation
International manufacturer of Electrical measurements LEM, held its board meeting in Beijing, on 11 October, 2011. Francois Gabella, the CEO of the group, explained that the increasingly important strategic role China played in the world economy was the reason why they held the board meeting in Beijing. The Board members discussed LEM’s future in China and the challenges the company will be confronted with. China is LEM’s second largest market in the world and the group wants to continue expanding their business in this flourishing market.

Alcon Supports Lifeline Express – Bringing Sight to the Poor [CN] [en]
10.10.11, Liu Jie, China Daily
The Chinese Foundation for Lifeline Express is a charity organization engaged in providing access to surgery in underdeveloped regions for patients with cataracts in China. The international eye-care company Alcon, a branch of Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, has supported Lifeline Express since its establishment with donations of devices and products. Recently Alcon financed the renovation of an “eye train” and donated two phacoemulsification systems at a cost of 15 million Yuan and supported training programs with rural doctors and nurses.

Meeting between China National Offshore Oil Corporation and Mercuria [CN] [cn]
9.10.11, China National Offshore Oils Corporation
Wang Yilin, President of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), met with CEO of Mercuria, Marco Dunand on 9 October. The CEOs discussed the situation of oil exploration in China and the future cooperation of these two energy sector giants. Dunand emphasized Mercuria’s willingness to be CNOOC’s long-term partner and expressed his confidence in their cooperation.

International Firms Trying Hard to Build Image in China [CN] [en]
8.10.11, China Daily
International firms such as Swiss Syngenta or German BASF are putting a lot of effort to improve their social image in China. Syngenta has focused its public relations strategy on Chinese professionals and college students. It has implemented a number of cooperative programs with local research groups and agricultural universities, providing funds for research projects and awarding scholarships to students. Last month, the company sponsored a symposium in Beijing, at which many Chinese students delivered academic papers or gave speeches to show their knowledge and talent in the area of agrobiological science.

ABB Presents Comprehensive Solutions at Smart Grid World Forum 2011 [CN] [en]
1.10.11, ABB
The Smart Grid World Forum 2011, held on 28 and 29 September in Beijing, is a high-level platform for power sectors all over the world. This year’s event focused on “Strong and smart grid – a driving force for energy development in the 21st century.” In this context ABB presented its “smart grids total solutions, supporting strong smart grid construction and operation with leading technology”.

ABB Executive Vice President: Bringing Advanced Techniques to Chongqing [CN] [cn]
25.09.11, Phoenix News
The 6th Annual Meeting of Chongqing’s International Economic Advisory Panel Conference was held on 24th September 2011. ABB Executive Vice President Bernhard Jucker participated in the conference. “Chongqing has become the second largest manufacturing base for ABB outside of Switzerland,” Jucker said, also predicting the city’s bright future.

Novartis: Plan to Offset Carbon Emissions in China [CN] [cn]
25.09.11, Phoenix News
Novartis recently launched a new program in the southwest of Sichuan Province to offset carbon emissions in China. As a Swiss-Based pharmaceutical and healthcare company, Novartis attaches a lot of attention to the environmental problems in China. The company plans to spend 100million between 2011 and 2014, and to plant 500million trees in Sichuan in order to reduce and compensate for carbon emissions.

Multinationals Tapping Into China's Low-Carbon Market [CN] [en]
23.09.11, Li Xiang, China Daily
A lot of people only associate low-carbon companies with new industries such as renewable energy or solar and wind power, but, traditional industries can also adopt low-emissions standards, according to the managing director of a major cable company in China. "After a century of service, we've learned that it's possible to leave the world a better place than you found it," Alex Tham, managing director of Alcan Cable China, made this remark during an interview with China Daily, prior to the open ceremony of the second China (Binhai Tianjin) International Eco-city Forum & Expo, in Tianjin.

Meyer Burger Successfully Signs Contract for New Lamination Lines With ZNShine Solar in China [CH] [en]
22.09.11, Werner Buchholz, Meyer Burger
Meyer Burger has won an order to supply ZNShine Solar, a member of the ZNShine Group in China. 3S Modultec, the technology specialist for innovative lamination systems for photovoltaics and a member of the Meyer Burger Group (SIX Swiss Exchange: MBTN), will supply ZNShine Solar with new lamination lines to replace existing laminators currently in use in their Chinese production facilities. Since its founding in 2006, ZNShine Solar has grown to become a global leader in the production of integrated silicon ingot, wafer and solar photovoltaic modules.

China’s First Solar City Presented in Switzerland [CH] [de]
16.09.11, Niklaus Bernhard, Tages Anzeiger
Thun’s Climate Forum, held on September 15th, presented the Dezhou project, China’s model solar city, where almost every building is equipped with solar cells. The City is rapidly attracting a large number of solar firms, becoming China’s “Solar Valley”, hosting research centres, universities and congress centres.

ABB Launches its First TV Advertisement [CN] [cn]
13.09.11, China Industrial Control
As of 29 August 2011, ABB’s first TV advertisement has been broadcast on Chinese television. This first round will take place between the 29 August and 2 October. This 15 seconds advertisement which presents ABB’s main idea “Always Beside You” can be seen on Chinese central TV channels such as CCTV 1, CCTV 2, CCTV 6 and local Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chongqing channels.

Holcim Seeks Deeper China Ties [CN] [cn]
9.09.11, NetEase
Company CEO visited China to strengthen ties with industry group. Holcim Group CEO Marcus Ackerman visited China to meet with members of the China Cement Association. On 7 September, he met with Lei Qianzhi, Chairman of the China Cement Association and discussed how to use cement manufacture to help the city with garbage disposal. Holcim is looking at introducing the world’s most advanced cement production equipment to help Shanghai reuse its garbage.

Holcim Will Invest 700 million RMB to Support Huaxin Cement Development [CN] [cn]
9.09.11, China Cement Net
During an interview with media on 7 September, CEO of Holcim Ltd Mr. Markus Akermann announced that Holcin will invest 700 million RMB into its Chinese affiliate Huaxin Cement to support its development. The cooperation between Holcim and Huaxin started in 1999 and now Holcim possessed 40% of Huaxin stake and will closely follow the development of Huaxin.

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