Latest News (last updated: 2008-05-09)

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On the road to success with waterborne dispersions [2008-05-07]

The Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties (CAS) Business Unit of Bayer MaterialScience AG is increasingly focusing on waterborne dispersions as raw materials for coatings and adhesives. Bayer MaterialScience is investing more than EUR 30 million in expanding production of waterborne dispersions.

Kemira: Tikkurila to establish a trading company in Romania jointly with Slovenian-based JUB [2008-05-07]

Following its strategy of growth, Tikkurila, which is responsible for Kemira's paints and coatings business, will strengthen its position in the Southeast european paint market. The company has agreed to establish a trading company by the name of Tikkurila JUB Romania with the paint company JUB of Slovenia based on equal partnership.

PPG sees conversion to waterborne gaining momentum across California, Canada [2008-05-07]

According to PPG Industries' automotive refinish business, more collision shops are transitioning to waterborne basecoat from solvent-based systems in anticipation of new air quality regulations in California and Canada.

3M to expand manufacturing in Singapore [2008-05-01]

3M has announced its intent to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic and automotive applications. By establishing a local film coating centre of excellence, the facility will help the company better serve the Asia market and support efforts to accelerate growth.

Rhodia launches production of eco-friendly solvent [2008-04-30]

Rhodia has launched production of Rhodiasolv IRIS, an innovative solvent with excellent eco-friendly properties, at a new unit located on the Group's Santo Andre site in Brazil. Rhodiasolv IRIS, designed for applications such as industrial cleaning, foundry resins, paints and coatings formulations, is non-toxic, readily biodegradable, nonflammable and low VOC.

Elementis – Acquisition of Deuchem Co., Ltd. [2008-04-30]

Elementis plc has agreed to purchase Deuchem Co., Ltd., a Taiwan based company, for a cash consideration of £40.4 million (TW$ 2,464 million). Deuchem is a leading supplier of additives and resins to the coating and related industries, with sales offices in Taiwan and China, together with manufacturing and technical facilities near Taipei and in Shanghai.

Industri Kapital to sell CPS Color [2008-04-30]

Industri Kapital (IK) has signed an agreement with Noridc Capital Fund VI (Nordic Capital) regarding the sale of CPS Color Group Oy (CPS Color). CPS Color is the global leading supplier of advanced tinting systems.

PRA's News of the Month [2008-04-29]

Read the latest issue of PRA's News of the Month. Register now for PRA's Additives for Coatings Conference and read about Irfab's Global Industrial Coatings Markets 2006-2020 Study.

Kemira: Tikkurila to sell its stake in JV Sto-Tikkurila to Sto AG [2008-04-24]

Tikkurila Oy, the company that is responsible for Kemira's paints and coatings business, has signed an agreement to sell its 50% stake in OOO Sto-Tikkurila to the other party, Sto AG of Germany. The parties have agreed on not disclosing any financials details.

Rohm and Haas introduces environmentally advanced traffic paint technology [2008-04-24]

Rohm and Haas Introduces Environmentally Advanced Traffic Paint Technology for Greater Durability and Worker Safety in China. Waterborne traffic paint is a comparatively new concept for the road industry in China.

PPG marine coatings first to be approved under IMO performance standard [2008-04-23]

PPG Industries' protective and marine coatings (PMC) business has announced that SigmaPrime 700 and SigmaPrime 700 LT coatings will be applied to a vessel being built in Korea for Chandris Hellas that will be the first built in full compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) ballast tank coatings regulation titled Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC).

Akzo Nobel increases synergy target [2008-04-23]

Akzo Nobel has upgraded the estimated annual synergies target resulting from its recent acquisition of ICI to EUR 340 million, a 20 per cent increase on the previously announced EUR 280 million.

Hempel A/S considers stopping paint production in Denmark [2008-04-23]

Hempel A/S considers stopping paint production in Denmark. Hempel A/S has received a mandate from its owner, the J.C. Hempel Foundation, to consider the future of its production unit in Lundtofte, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.

Jotun Saudia, secures an SR 1.5 million project with the General Authorities of Civil Aviation (GACA) [2008-04-16]

Jotun Saudia has secured an SR 1.5 million project with the General Authorities of Civil Aviation. The project covers a three-year maintenance contract for 23 existing domestic airports in KSA, and the delivery of paint products for new airports, which are being constructed in the country as part of the USD 36.8 billion expansion plan that the regional aviation industry is set to undertake in 2008.

Air Products’ new thermal spray cooling technology takes off with Delta Air Lines [2008-04-16]

Air Products' new Thermal Spray Cooling Technology ― which uses cryogenic nitrogen vapour to maintain part temperature during thermal spray coating applications ― is enabling Delta Air Lines, Inc. to apply quality coatings on critical aircraft parts more effectively and economically than with traditional methods.

A new source of information for the paint & coatings and graphic arts & inks industries goes live [2008-04-09]

Cytec Industries Inc. has launched new web pages related to its activity in the Paint & Coatings and Graphic Arts & Inks industries on www.cytec.com.

Akzo Nobel completes on sale to Henkel [2008-04-09]

Akzo Nobel N.V. has completed the on sale of the Adhesives and Electronic Materials businesses, part of the former ICI's National Starch business, to Henkel KGaA for GBP 2.7 billion (EUR 4 billion) in cash.

PPG Aerospace advanced-performance coatings improve durability of F-16 jets [2008-04-09]

F-16 jets flown by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are being painted with a smooth, fast-drying primer and high-gloss, lightweight, advanced-performance coating (APC) topcoat by PPG Industries' aerospace business. Desoprime HS CA7233 epoxy primer and Desothane HS CA9800 polyurethane APC topcoat by PPG Aerospace-PRC-DeSoto will improve durability of the familiar red, white and blue colours of the jets flown by the air demonstration squadron.

Rohm and Haas to acquire powder coatings distributor in France [2008-04-09]

Rohm and Haas Europe Sarl has announced the acquisition of ACIL, its former exclusive distributor for the French Powder Coatings market. Based in Savigneux, France, ACIL has for 14 years positioned itself as a strong player in the French Powder Coating industry, through its service driven ethic, comprehensive product range and committed support infrastructure for its customers.

Emerald Hilton Davis acquires Wolstenholme [2008-04-07]

Emerald Hilton Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of Emerald Performance Materials, has acquired the carbon black dispersions business and assets of Wolstenholme International Ltd. Wolstenholme is a premier manufacturer of carbon black dispersions for printing inks, coatings, plastics and other speciality applications.

ACCESSA Coatings Solutions acquires Louisville Industrial Coatings [2008-04-03]

ACCESSA Coatings Solutions has acquired Louisville Industrial Coatings of Louisville, Kentucky, to expand its market share throughout Southern Indiana, Kentucky, and parts of Tennessee, Southwestern Ohio, and Southeastern Illinois.

Albemarle launches new curing agent for spray coating systems [2008-04-03]

Speciality chemicals maker Albemarle Corporation has developed a new polymer chain extender to help control the cure rates of polyurea and hybrid spray coating systems used in truck bed liners, construction coatings and in other systems used in adhesives, sealants and elastomeric materials.

Rohm and Haas completes acquisition of polymer dispersions division of OY Forcit AB [2008-04-02]

Rohm and Haas Company has completed the acquisition of FINNDISP, the polymer dispersions division of OY Forcit AB for €60 million (approximately US$85 million). FINNDISP, based in Hanko, Finland, makes water-based emulsions used in the manufacture of paints and coatings, lacquers and adhesives.

Huntsman joint venture to pursue major maleic anhydride expansion In Germany [2008-04-02]

Sasol-Huntsman GmbH & Co. KG, a 50/50 joint venture between affiliates of Huntsman Corporation and Sasol Limited located in Moers, Germany, have announced plans to pursue the expansion of its maleic anhydride manufacturing capacity by 45 000 mt. The new capacity, which is expected to be on-line in first quarter 2011, will increase Sasol-Huntsman's production capacity by 75%, to 105 000 mt

BASF and LEUNA-Harze cooperate: Supply of raw materials for BASF’s epoxy resin systems [2008-04-01]

BASF SE and LEUNA-Harze GmbH, Leuna, will in future cooperate on the supply in Europe of raw materials for epoxy resin systems for fibre-reinforced composites. The two companies have just signed a declaration of intent to this effect.

Sun Chemical wins two awards for environmental leadership [2008-03-26]

During PrintAction Magazine's recent 3rd Annual Environmental Printing Awards ceremony, Sun Chemical received two awards that recognise its commitment to providing innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions for its customers.

Flint Group to acquire Siegwerk's packaging ink business in Australia and New Zealand [2008-03-26]

Flint Group has signed an agreement with Siegwerk Group on the acquisition of Siegwerk's packaging ink business in Australia and New Zealand. The product range embraces flexible packaging (film and foil), sheetfed, decorating inks and coatings. The acquired business in Australia and New Zealand has annual sales of around EUR 25 Million.

Sartomer introduces SMA resins to thermoplastic formulators [2008-03-26]

Styrene Maleic Anhydride (SMA) resins from global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company are available for use as additives in thermoplastic formulations.

Rhodia and Lyondell enter into exclusive negotiations with Perstorp for the sale of their isocyanates businesses [2008-03-19]

Rhodia and Lyondell Chime TDI SCA have announced that they have entered into exclusive negotiations for the sale of their Isocyanates businesses to the Perstorp Group. This divestment project includes Rhodia's aliphatic Isocyanates activity (HDI, IPDI and derivatives) producing a range of intermediates for industrial paints and coatings.

Audi approves eco-friendly BASF refinish paint system for after sales service in India [2008-03-19]

Audi is to be the first car manufacturer in India using an environmentally friendly waterborne refinish paint system. Audi signed an agreement with BASF approving the eco-friendly waterborne premium refinish paint system 'Glasurit' as its authorised refinish for usage by the company's dealership network.