News, views and plenty of practical solutions for a better planet can be found in a Swedish government-funded environmental program to make the sector environmental technology visible and accessible. Through the launch of the comprehensive and easily accessible website www.swedentech.swedishtrade.se more than 500 Swedish consultants and suppliers offer to share the experience from developing a sustainable society in Sweden. This environmental technology portal intends to secure global contacts and spread practical knowledge.

A new type of operating table for image-guided catheter-based endovascular and cardiovascular surgery is now being launched on the international market. When performing minimal invasive procedures surgeons using this table need not move the C-arm. In order to see the area of interest the surgeon is able instead to pan the table top while at the same time tilting the patient laterally.

A technique for faster and better DNA analysis, a new method for gentle but rapid separation of bio-molecules, a sampling module for quick ATP-based hygiene checks and an advanced platform for micromechanical structures in biochemical analysis plates.These are some of the many new items and signs of progress that a dozen or so Swedish companies can show for the first time in a common national effort on their stand at Biotechnica 2001.This is also the first international announcement from the new national support agency for this field, the Swedish Bioscience Programme. The aim of this investment is via a number of co-operative projects to link up and show to the rest of the world how interesting the Nobel prize country Sweden is in the areas of biotechnology and biological science.

Half the installation time, higher quality, increased flexibility and reduced energy consumption. This is the idea behind Hydroelite, and new control and drive system for hydraulic lifts from the Swedish company Hydroware Elevation Technology AB. The system is based on the tried and tested Dynahyd drive system, combined with a newly developed, microprocessor-based control system.

Stora Enso's Coated Kraft Back Board (CKB) is gaining a foothold in the US packaging market. Because of tougher competition, American food producers want to reduce packaging costs, while maintaining the high quality of their packs. This situation has given CKB a competitive edge, as its structure allows the use of a 15-20% lower grammage without compromising stiffness properties.

The B52P suction cup from PIAB is designed to lift products that have either uneven or flat surfaces, within for example the automotive, packaging, wood handling articles and white goods industries. It is claimed to have a very long life, due to the company-developed suction assembly, made up of two types of polyurethane plastic. The upper part - the suction housing of 60 Shore hardness provides strength and ensures ready adaptation to differences in height. The gripping membrane is thus very flexible - with only 30 Shore hardness - and can easily retain its hold on such materials as cardboard boxes, sheet metal or cans.

Nowadays the world's leading consumer brands often use the paper cup as an advertising medium for marketing new products and films launched on the market and for image campaigning. Stora Enso expects that the value of promotional cups will continue to grow globally because of their power in promoting and strengthening brand identities.

Audi/Volkswagen has appointed the Swedish air treatment company AB Ph Nederman & Co as an approved supplier of high vacuum systems for use in surroundings where explosive aluminium particles could cause severe damage. A reference plant is to be built at one of the Audi/VW service facilities in Germany, and the Swedish company hopes that their system, which is claimed to absorb 99,95% of particles, will come into use at similar Audi/VW service centres world-wide.

New US safety regulations come into effect on July 16 for manual controllers used in electric motor applications. Both Ensto Compact and Origin controllers and local disconnects have now gained formal approval from Underwriters Laboratories Inc®, UL®, the body that tests electrical devices and equipment for safety.