Chesapeake Corp., a Richmond-based packaging
company, named its specialty chemical plastic packaging
business as Chesapeake Specialty Chemical Packaging.
The division manufactures plastic packaging for various
industrial sectors including agrochemical, automotive
and food and beverage, and maintains several plants in
Europe and Asia. (PR Newswire)
Commonwealth Biotechnologies Inc.,
a vaccine developer headquartered in Richmond, received
approval from the Department of Health and Human Services
to conduct vaccine development work on the avian influenza,
also known as the “bird flu virus.” The
permissions make CBI one of a select number of facilities
in the world to pursue work on this highly pathogenic
strain. (Virginia Biotechnology Association)
Massey Energy Inc., a Richmond-based coal company,
and its subsidiary Central West Virginia Energy Co.,
were ordered by a Wellsburg, W.Va., jury to pay Wheeling-Pittsburgh
Steel Corp. $219 million in a contract dispute over metallurgical
grade coal. Wheeling said Central West Virginia failed
to deliver 104,000 tons of the coal per month, as stipulated
by contract and, instead, diverted it to take advantage
of high prices in the spot market. Massey and Central
maintain production problems caused the shortfall. An
appeal is expected. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
A federal judge gave final approval to a class action
settlement between Norfolk Southern Corp. and
victims of a 2005 rail accident in Graniteville, S.C.
The action ends the second of two class-action suits
brought over the wreck with claimed nine lives and injured
several hundred. Norfolk Southern has paid $5 million
to 100 victims already. Another 479 persons have filed
claims for over $11 million. Final size of the settlement
will depend on claims submitted for payment. (The
Virginian-Pilot)
Prosecutors in Pennsylvania charged Norfolk Southern
Corp. with violations of environmental laws stemming
from a June 30, 2006 train derailment near Gardeau,
Pa., that killed fish as far as 30 miles downstream.
Norfolk Southern said it had expected the charges and
would work with officials to resolve the issues. (The
Virginian-Pilot)
