ICI Plc Research Articles

Knowledge management capabilities in R&D: a UK‐‐Japan company comparison

This paper uses a ‘knowledge‐based’ approach to compare the management of R&D in two leading chemicals companies, one British (ICI plc) and one Japanese. It describes key differences in the ways they integrate the ‘near‐market’ knowledge of business units and the scientific knowledge and technical expertise of R&D personnel in central R&D facilities. It shows that the same management practices that underpin superior ‘integrative capabilities’ in the Japanese firm, including central funding of R&D, job‐rotation and career structures and multidisciplinary project teams, also result in significant R&D weaknesses. The comparison demonstrates that different organisational mechanisms are needed to support (1) the development and (2) the leveraging of specialist knowledge within different innovation contexts. Firms must be able to strike a balance between integrative and specialist capabilities to get the most from their R&D. Moreover, the above characteristics which underpin these capabilities are often ‘embedded’ in the broader organisation making them difficult to emulate when they represent ‘best‐practice’ but also making them difficult to change in response to new threats and opportunities.

Solving a singular DAE model of unconfined detonation

We consider a simplified model of an unconfined one-dimensional detonation problem, giving a brief survey of the history of the problem and of its numerical solution. This problem with its mathematical features is typical of those solved commercially by ICI plc, and the specific values used for the chemical constants in the example are typical of those of interest. Unfortunately, not all obvious methods work well, because of the singular nature of the problem at the Chapman–Jouguet shock front. We concentrate on shooting methods for the detonation problem based on backward differentiation formula integrators, and present a new analysis which explains how these methods work. Finally, we outline some possibilities for further work, including discussing a more general detonation problem, previous solutions and potential future solution methods.

Using multiple suppliers to mitigate the risk of IT outsourcing at ICI and Wessex Water

The paper presents the findings from empirical research on IT outsourcing in two British companies: ICI Plc and Wessex Water. Both organizations have pursued a selective sourcing approach using multiple suppliers in an attempt to minimize risks and maximize benefits. Whilst the majority of existing literature on selective sourcing concentrates on the 'mega-contracts', this research explores some of the issues and concerns of companies with small to medium sized outsourcing contracts. The findings suggest that selective and competitive sourcing may offer the client company value-added benefits, although it is important to develop strengths in the areas of contract management and negotiation and competitive benchmarking and performance management.

Using Multiple Suppliers to Mitigate the Risk of it Outsourcing at ICI and Wessex Water

The paper presents the findings from empirical research on IT outsourcing in two British companies: ICI Plc and Wessex Water. Both organizations have pursued a selective sourcing approach using multiple suppliers in an attempt to minimize risks and maximize benefits. Whilst the majority of existing literature on selective sourcing concentrates on the ‘mega-contracts’, this research explores some of the issues and concerns of companies with small to medium sized outsourcing contracts. The findings suggest that selective and competitive sourcing may offer the client company value-added benefits, although it is important to develop strengths in the areas of contract management and negotiation and competitive benchmarking and performance management.

Analysing four types of IT sourcing decisions in the context of scale, client/supplier interdependency and risk mitigation

The main thrust of the article is to distinguish between four types of IT sourcing decision: total outsourcing; multiple‐supplier sourcing; joint venture/strategic alliance sourcing; and insourcing. To illustrate each type, detailed case histories are used that analyse the reasons why specific IT sourcing decisions were adopted. Here, we consider total outsourcing at the London Stock Exchange; multiple‐supplier sourcing at ICI plc; joint venture project sourcing at CRESTCo Ltd; and insourcing at the Royal Bank of Scotland. The trend towards outsourcing is increasing in all industrial and commercial sectors. However, client organizations need to become more aware of some of the pitfalls, particularly in respect of large‐scale outsourcing deals to single or multiple suppliers. This is because the move to IT outsourcing engenders the need to develop new capabilities and skills to manage complex commercial contracts. We therefore conclude that, while many IT outsourcing contracts followed rationalization, cost‐cutting and disappointing results from in‐house IT provision, short‐termism and current uncertainties over market, business and political conditions pose problems for many organizations in deciding future outsourcing arrangements.

Self-association properties of oxyethylene/oxypropylene/oxyethylene triblock copolymer F88

Critical micelle temperatures (cmT) of triblock copolymer F88 (nominally E 102P 39E 102), where E = oxyethylene and P = oxypropylene in aqueous solution were determined by light scattering and eluent GPC (aqueous solvent). Two samples originating from different suppliers (BASF Inc. and ICI plc) were investigated. The overall formulae of the two samples (checked by NMR) were essentially identical, but their GPC curves (THF solvent) differed significantly. Comparison of the cmTs obtained, including published values from a dye solubilization method, showed good agreement between techniques but poor agreement between samples i.e. differences of 10–15 °C across a range of concentrations.

Effect of long‐term application of animal slurries to grassland on silage quality assessed in laboratory silos

AbstractThe effect on silage quality of slurry type (pig or cow), rate of application of slurry (50, 100 or 200 m3 ha−1 year−1) and use of a bacterial silage inoculant, was assessed on grass from a long‐term slurry experiment ensiled in laboratory silos. There was no significant effect of slurry type or the quality of silage made from grass re growths. However, on the basis of ammonia‐N, lactate and volatile fatty acid contents, spring (first cut) grass treated with cow slurry in both years of the study produced significantly poorer fermentation (P < 0.001) than silage from grass treated with pig slurry. The quality of silage made from slurry‐treated swards compared favourably with that from swards treated with granular fertiliser. Although increasing the rate of slurry application was shown to reduce fermentation quality in most treatments, this was seen as an effect of increasing the total‐N content of the herbage rather than of slurry application per se. From a study, in selected treatments, of the bacterial flora at harvest, it was also observed that slurry application had little impact on either the composition or diversity of herbage enter bacteria at harvest, and therefore probably upon subsequent fermentation. No evidence was found for the occurrence of clostridia on herbage from slurry‐treated swards. Use of a bacterial inoculant (Ecosyl; ICI plc) improved fermentation quality significantly (P < 0.001) even where high rates of slurry (200 m3 ha−1 year−1) had been applied to swards. The high acetate and butyrate contents typical of laboratory silages untreated with additive were not seen in the inoculated silages.

Surface Treatment of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Composites by Plasma Activation

Abstract Carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK composites (APC 2, ICI plc) were plasma treated for adhesive bonding. This was done in a microwave plasma in argon or oxygen. An epoxy-based film adhesive (AF 191, 3M) was employed for adhesive bonding (1 h curing at 175°C, 30 N/cm2). Both plasma treatments resulted in a high level of lap shear strength (Ar: > 40 MPa, 25°C). The environmental behaviour (42 d, 70°C hot water) of the adhesively bonded composites has also shown that good bonds could be obtained. Regarding the stability of the freshly-treated surfaces against exposure to the surrounding atmosphere only a small decrease in lap shear strength was observed. After storage for 4 weeks in air the strength was still almost 85% of that when the bonding was done directly after the treatment. ESCA measurements revealed an increase in carbon-oxygen groups by the plasma treatment and a strong cleavage of the PEEK chemical structure.

Patent Evaluation : EP-544445-A: ICI Plc: Novel nucleosides and pterdines as adenosine antagonists

Patent Evaluation : EP-544445-A: ICI Plc: Novel nucleosides and pterdines as adenosine antagonists

Effects of the type of additive and the type of supplement on the utilization of grass silage for milk production in dairy cows

AbstractFour silages were prepared from grass treated with additives designed to produce different extents of fermentation in the silo. The additive treatments were: formic acid at 5 l t−1; a bacterial inoculant (Ecosyl, ICI plc); the inoculant plus molasses at 20 kg t−1; and a noadditive control. All silages were well preserved. Formic acid severely restricted the extent of fermentation, the concentration of lactic acid being only 50% of that seen for the other treatments, all of which were similar in lactic acid concentrations.The silages were offered ad libitum, either as the sole component of the diet or together with three supplement treatments to 16 British Friesian cows, in four 4 treatment × 4 period Latin squares with periods of 28 d duration. The supplements were: a barley‐based mixture at 5 kg d−1 (B); a high‐fat, high‐protein product at 2 kg d−1 (FPI) and at 3 kg d −1 (FP2); both FP treatments were given with 1 kg d−1 of molassed sugarbeet pulp. A preliminary experiment, using three lactating, rumen‐cannulated cows in a 3×3 Latin square design with 28‐d periods, provided information on rumen digestion when the supplements were given with a separate, non‐experimental silage.In the preliminary experiment, neither of the FP treatments influenced the molar proportion of the major rumen volatile fatty acids compared with treatment B; nor were there any depressive effects of the FP treatments on silage intake compared with treatment B.In the main experiment, the intake of silage with the inoculant treatment was less than that with the other treatments, the effect being generally significant (at least P<0·05) for all three supplements. When the silages were given unsupplemented, there were differences in the concentration (P<0·001) and yield (P<0·01) of milk fat, both of which were lowest for the no‐additive control and highest for the formic acid silage. When supplement B was given, the concentration and yield of milk fat were lowest for the no‐additive control and the concentration and yield of milk protein were highest for the formic acid silage. For all silages both FP treatments tended to depress silage intake and reduce the concentration of fat and protein in milk compared with treatment B.Although there were clear indications of differences in nutritional characteristics between the silages, there was little evidence that the differences between silages influenced the responses to changes in the composition of the supplements.

Influence of processing conditions on attrition of NaCl crystals

Industrial solution-grown NaCl crystals exhibit different attrition propensities depending on the processing route and conditions. Pure Dried Vacuum (PDV) salt is produced by ICI plc via three routes following the crystallisation stage: in routes 1 and 2, the crystals are centrifuged and fluid-bed dried, and in route 3, they are rotary vacuum filtered and dried in situ on the filter. The output from this stage is conveyed to the storage vessels by belt conveyors in routes 1 and 3, and by pneumatic conveying, preceded by fluidised bed cooling, in route 2. The attrition propensity of salt samples from these routes is examined by single-particle impact testing. It is shown that the salt produced by vacuum filtration and drying has less attrition propensity than that produced via the first two routes. This is found to be due to differences in their surface hardness. Measurements of microhardness made at several depths show that, for the pneumatically conveyed salt from route 2, the hardness at a few hundred nanometres into the crystal is substantially greater (by up to ten times!) than that at several micrometres deep. Smaller variations are observed for the vacuum filtered and dried salt. It is suggested that ‘rough’ conditions during processing as occurring in centrifuges, fluidised beds and pneumatic conveyors may cause microplastic deformation which in turn work-hardens the surfaces, thus increasing their propensity to attrition.

Occurrence, metabolism, metabolic role, and industrial uses of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), of which polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the most abundant, are bacterial carbon and energy reserve materials of widespread occurrence. They are composed of 3-hydroxyacid monomer units and exist as a small number of cytoplasmic granules per cell. The properties of the C4 homopolymer PHB as a biodegradable thermoplastic first attracted industrial attention more than 20 years ago. Copolymers of C4 (3-hydroxybutyrate [3HB]) and C5 (3-hydroxyvalerate [3HV]) monomer units have modified physical properties; e.g., the plastic is less brittle than PHB, whereas PHAs containing C8 to C12 monomers behave as elastomers. This family of materials is the centre of considerable commercial interest, and 3HB-co-3HV copolymers have been marketed by ICI plc as Biopol. The known polymers exist as 2(1) helices with the fiber repeat decreasing from 0.596 nm for PHB to about 0.45 nm for C8 to C10 polymers. Novel copolymers with a backbone of 3HB and 4HB have been obtained. The native granules contain noncrystalline polymer, and water may possibly act as a plasticizer. Although the biosynthesis and regulation of PHB are generally well understood, the corresponding information for the synthesis of long-side-chain PHAs from alkanes, alcohols, and organic acids is still incomplete. The precise mechanisms of action of the polymerizing and depolymerizing enzymes also remain to be established. The structural genes for the three key enzymes of PHB synthesis from acetyl coenzyme A in Alcaligenes eutrophus have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. Polymer molecular weights appear to be species specific. The factors influencing the commercial choice of organism, substrate, and isolation process are discussed. The physiological functions of PHB as a reserve material and in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and its presence in bacterial plasma membranes and putative role in transformability and calcium signaling are also considered.

Goserelin (Zoladex) in premenopausal advanced breast cancer: duration of response and survival

In premenopausal women with advanced breast cancer the luteinising hormone-releasing hormone agonist goserelin (Zoladex, ICI plc) will produce serum levels of oestradiol equivalent to those following surgical oophorectomy or the menopause. This paper reports our further experience of using this drug in 75 premenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer. In addition to response rates, duration of response is reported. An objective response was seen in 25 patients (33%), the median duration of which was in excess of 15 months. Seven patients (9%) showed a complete response to therapy; median duration greater than 37 months. There was no significant difference in time to disease progression (Lee-Desu statistic 18.26, 1 d.f., P = 0.43) and probability of survival (Lee-Desu statistic 3.41, 1 d.f., P = 0.07) between those patients assessed as having either static disease, or those showing a partial response at six months. Response to therapy correlates significantly with the oestrogen receptor status of the primary tumour (X2 = 20.59, 6 d.f., P less than 0.005). The modest side-effects, ease of administration and reversibility make this approach to therapy very attractive. This is to be remembered in that 53% of patients had disease progression whilst receiving goserelin. These patients thus avoided the unnecessary and irreversible morbidity associated with surgical oophorectomy. With the proven efficacy and minimal morbidity associated with goserelin we believe there is no current role for surgical oophorectomy in the management of premenopausal patients with advanced breast cancer.

D. R. Buhler and D. J. Reed (eds) Ethel browning's toxicity and metabolism of industrial solvents, 2nd edn, Vol.2, nitrogen and phosphorus solvents. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990; 493 pp., 375.00 DG

Journal of Applied ToxicologyVolume 10, Issue 5 p. 389-389 Book Review D. R. Buhler and D. J. Reed (eds) Ethel browning's toxicity and metabolism of industrial solvents, 2nd edn, Vol.2, nitrogen and phosphorus solvents. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 1990; 493 pp., 375.00 DG E. A. Lock, E. A. Lock ICI plc Alderley Park, CheshireSearch for more papers by this author E. A. Lock, E. A. Lock ICI plc Alderley Park, CheshireSearch for more papers by this author First published: October 1990 https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.2550100519AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume10, Issue5October 1990Pages 389-389 RelatedInformation

The Effects of Geometry, Rate and Temperature on the Mode I, Mode II and Mixed-Mode I/II Interlaminar Fracture of Carbon-Fibre/Poly(ether-ether ketone) Composites

A detailed study on the interlaminar failure of carbon-fibre/poly(ether-ether ketone) unidirectional composite (termed PEEK composite: "APC-2" from ICI (UK) plc) is presented. A fracture mechanics approach has been adopted and Mode I, Mixed-Mode I/II and Mode II tests have been conducted and the effects of specimen geometry, test rate and test temperature have been investigated. It is shown that for the interlaminar fracture of the PEEK composite the value of the interlaminar fracture energy, G,, generally in creases as the crack propagates through the composite, i.e., a rising "R-curve" is observed. Thus, it is not usually possible to assign one unique value to the interlaminar fracture energy, Gc, for any given Mode of loading for the PEEK composite. We have therefore defined both an initiation value, Gc(init), and a steady-state propagation value, Gc(s/s prop). The variation of these parameters with the Mode of loading, method of precracking and the test temperature is described in detail. From optical and electron microscopy studies it is shown that in Mode I the "R-curve" behaviour mainly arises from the degree of fibre-bridging increasing as the interlaminar crack grows, whilst in Mode II it appears to mainly arise from the increasing degree of microcracking and plastic deformation damage which develops around the tip of the advancing crack. The failure loci for the in terlaminar fracture of the PEEK composite have also been established, and various theo retical models to describe these data are considered.

Evaluation of a lactobacillus inoculant as an additive for silage fed to heifers

When grass with an adequate content of fermentable substrate and epiphytic lactic acid bacteria is ensiled properly, the fermentation which follows is normally considered satisfactory. This fermentation can be altered by various categories of additive such as acids, sugars and inoculants, each of which can influence the fermentation differently. The experiment reported compared the fermentation products, aerobic stability and animal performance for silages made using formic acid or a Lactobacillus plantarum inoculant with well preserved silage made without additive treatment.A 42 day regrowth of Lolium multiflorum (cv. Lemtal) was harvested without wilting using two precision - chop harvesters. Alternate loads of grass were ensiled with (a) no additive, (b) formic acid (850g/kg) at 3.0 1/t or (c)inoculant (Ecosyl - ICI plc) at 3 1/t (separate harvester). The inoculant was constituted immediately before use and was applied in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Harvesting was completed and the silos sealed within 26 hours of mowing. The silos were opened after 113 days.

Occurrence, metabolism, metabolic role, and industrial uses of bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), of which polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the most abundant, are bacterial carbon and energy reserve materials of widespread occurrence. They are composed of 3-hydroxyacid monomer units and exist as a small number of cytoplasmic granules per cell. The properties of the C4 homopolymer PHB as a biodegradable thermoplastic first attracted industrial attention more than 20 years ago. Copolymers of C4 (3-hydroxybutyrate [3HB]) and C5 (3-hydroxyvalerate [3HV]) monomer units have modified physical properties; e.g., the plastic is less brittle than PHB, whereas PHAs containing C8 to C12 monomers behave as elastomers. This family of materials is the centre of considerable commercial interest, and 3HB-co-3HV copolymers have been marketed by ICI plc as Biopol. The known polymers exist as 2(1) helices with the fiber repeat decreasing from 0.596 nm for PHB to about 0.45 nm for C8 to C10 polymers. Novel copolymers with a backbone of 3HB and 4HB have been obtained. The native granules contain noncrystalline polymer, and water may possibly act as a plasticizer. Although the biosynthesis and regulation of PHB are generally well understood, the corresponding information for the synthesis of long-side-chain PHAs from alkanes, alcohols, and organic acids is still incomplete. The precise mechanisms of action of the polymerizing and depolymerizing enzymes also remain to be established. The structural genes for the three key enzymes of PHB synthesis from acetyl coenzyme A in Alcaligenes eutrophus have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. Polymer molecular weights appear to be species specific. The factors influencing the commercial choice of organism, substrate, and isolation process are discussed. The physiological functions of PHB as a reserve material and in symbiotic nitrogen fixation and its presence in bacterial plasma membranes and putative role in transformability and calcium signaling are also considered.

Evaluation studies in the development of a commercial bacterial inoculant as an additive for grass silage

AbstractTwo 2×2 factorial experiments are described in which a bacterial inoculant being developed as a silage additive and containing a strain of Lacto‐bacillus plantarum (Ecosyl, ICI plc) was evaluated at two harvests (18 July and 30 September 1985) of two swards (perennial ryegrass and permanent pasture) in difficult ensiling conditions. On each occasion erbage was ensiled with and without inoculant using two 0·5–t capacity steel tower silos per treatment. The contents of the two replicate silos per treatment were combined for feeding to cross‐bred wethers in digestibility and metabolizable energy (ME) partition studies.Overall, inoculated herbage declined in pH post‐harvest at a faster rate than control herbage (p<0·001) and three out of the four inoculated silages had lower pH, ammonia‐N, acetate and alcohol and higher residual soluble carbohydrate content (p<0·001) than control. Significantly higher digestibility of nutrients (P<0·05) was found in three of the inoculant‐treated silages and these also had significantly higher ME values than control (P<0·001), (10·58 and 8·77 MJ kg tol DM−1 for the treated and untreated silages respectively). The use of inoculant on herbage of only moderate ensiling potential therefore, produced significant improvements in fermentation quality and feeding value over control.

Studies on beet western yellows virus in winter oilseed rape ( Brassica napus ssp. oleifera) and the effect of insecticidal treatment on its spread

Beet western yellows virus (BWYV) was the most common virus infecting winter oilseed rape: 81% of crops sampled were infected, with incidences of 25% and 85% detected in two individual crops in 1985. In two successive years, the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin (PP321) (ICI PLC) applied as a foliar spray at 7·5 g a.i./ha gave good control of BWYV in winter oilseed rape in field trials. The granular carbamate insecticide carbofuran did not control BWYV. Two consecutive pyrethroid sprays applied postemergence and in October gave best control in 1985 and a single postemergence spray applied on 23 September 1985 gave better control than a single spray applied one month later. In 1986 the single spray applied in September controlled BWYV as well as the double treatment applied postemergence and in November. The effect of BWYV on the yield of rape was not clear. In 1986, the seed and oil yields of plants from plots that received a single postemergence pyrethroid spray were significantly higher than those from untreated plots. In 1987 when larger plots were sprayed the seed and oil yields of plants from all plots that received pyrethroid treatments were significantly greater than those from untreated plots. However, there appeared to be no correlation between seed yield and percentage BWYV in plots. No significant differences in seed yield were detected between infected and uninfected plants that were removed from rape fields or grown under glass. When grown in a gauzehouse, only one of the three cultivars tested showed a yield reduction due to BWYV infection.

The interaction between level of protein and the response to specific nutrients in high silage diets

Previous studies have indicated that supplements to high quality grass silage based on molasses and sodium bicarbonate can enhance microbial efficiency and milk output. However these experiments showed that there was still a need to include preformed protein in the supplement to maximise the response. Also, work at this Institute (M. Gill, unpublished data) had indicated marked responses to branched chain volatile fatty acids (vfa) in high forage diets, but only in the presence of protein supplements. The aims of the experiment were to firstly examine whether preformed proteins in high forage diets could be replaced by either protected or unprotected amino acids (methionine and lysine) in dairy cow diets and secondly, to investigate the interaction between branched chain acids and the supply of protein.Eighty British Friesian cows in their second and subsequent lactation were offered grass silage ad libitum together with 4 kg of molasses and sodium bicarbonate (Alkacarb, ICI plc) at 30 g/kg silage dry matter (DM). They were given a protein supplement consisting of soyabean meal and fishmeal in a 3:1 ratio at either 2 (L) or 3.2 kg/day (H).