- 23 June 2009 -
In brief...Dürr Systems, Inc., supplier of plants and equipment for the automotive, environmental technologies, aircraft, mechanical engineering, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, has completed a new state-of-the-art paint facility for Daimler Trucks, N.A. in Saltillo, Mexico. This facility has begun production of the new Daimler Class 8 Trucks and is the second paint facility to be built in this area by Dürr Systems for a major automotive company. The plant features the latest paint process and application technologies, including pretreatment and electrocoat system, washer lines, and two topcoat lines, dual pass ovens, electrical controls, and eight Dürr EcoRP E robots. Four of the robots will utilize the EcoBell2 atomizers in the paint mix and delivery system for reduced paint usage and recycling of the air supply. Benefits of the above technologies are quality improvements, uniformity of coatings, minimal use of chemicals, lower energy utilization, and optimal use of manufacturing floor space. Special to the Daimler facility is the PT-ED programmable hoist and paint skid conveyors.

Canada-based Ferrinov, Inc., which has achieved a major technological breakthrough in the production of anticorrosion pigments, has signed an exclusive five-year agreement with Wonder Technology Co., Ltd., for the distribution of approximately 6,000 metric tons of “green” pigments in the Chinese market. This agreement will enable Ferrinov to expand its plant in Sorel-Tracy and create 20 additional jobs. In order to increase its production capacity and fulfill the orders it has received, Ferrinov plans to invest $2 million in expanding its Sorel-Tracy plant. The plant will then produce 1,200 metric tons of pigments annually, compared with 200 metric tons at present. Work will likely be completed in August 2010, with the number of employees expected to rise from 10 to 30 people. Many of these include specialists in inorganic chemistry, hydrometallurgy, and organic chemistry.

PPG Refinish has renewed its U.K. warehousing and logistics contract with Norbert Dentressangle (ND) for another four years. Part of U.S.-based PPG Industries, PPG Refinish produces automotive coatings at the group’s factory in Stowmarket. ND was originally appointed by the former ICI Automotive Refinish division in 1997 and has since been retained by PPG following its acquisition of the ICI division in 1999.

- 05 June 2009 -
Chinese Manufacturing Firm Buys Hummer Brand
General Motors Corp., which earlier this week declared bankruptcy, has struck a deal to sell its Hummer truck unit to Sichuan, China-based Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Company Ltd., a privately owned outfit based in China. Tengzhong said it plans to keep Hummer's management team in place....more

- 15 May 2009 -
In brief...The Precision Metalforming Association, The American Welding Society, The Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, and The Society of Manufacturing Engineers announced their combined show in Monterrey, Mexico, scheduled for June 2-4, 2009, will continue as planned despite the recent outbreak of swine flu in the country. The Mexican government recently announced that business is back to normal after closing much of the country for the holiday weekend, through May 5. The World Health Organization has stated that the H1N1 virus, which is treatable with existing drugs, appears less severe than seasonal flu in most cases. For more information on the event—which is expected to draw attendees from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and China—please visit www.metalform.com/mexico.

Evonik Industries AG, together with Japanese partner Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC), is working on a new, multimillion dollar integrated production facility for monosilane and AEROSIL in Yokkaichi, Japan, that will be dedicated to future-oriented markets for solar energy and electronics. The long-term agreement calls for Evonik—an innovation driver on the photovoltaic market—to supply monosilane to TNSC, one of the world’s leading distributors of industrial and special gases. The deal, according to Evonik, aims to position Evonik’s solar silicon activities on the attractive Asian market. Evonik’s technologies enable it to move into the production of electronic-grade monosilane for thin-layer photovoltaics, flat screens, and semiconductors. Construction of the new facility is expected to begin in late 2009 and start-up is scheduled for 2011.

- 23 April 2009 -
In brief...Alcatel Micro Machining Systems (AMMS) has designated WESI Technology Limited (WESI) as its exclusive partner in Mainland China and in Taiwan for parts distribution and servicing activities of AMMS’ installed base of Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) products. By partnering with WESI, AMMS strengthens its commitment to support the existing AMMS DRIE tools in Greater China markets in use by MEMS and semiconductor IC manufacturers. Customers can now receive services more promptly, as all related decisions will be made locally. In addition, through outsourcing coordination and management activities to a highly qualified local partner, AMMS will manage to reduce the costs while passing the savings directly to the end users.

Elcometer, a leader in inspection equipment for coating thickness testing, adhesion, and other physical properties, has opened its latest office in The Netherlands. Elcometer NL, based in Utrecht, is Elcometer’s fifth European office. The facility provides customers with technical support, full sales, after-sales service, and repair capabilities across the whole Elcometer product range.

Mexico’s industrial production fell 13.2% in February from a year earlier, the largest decline in almost 14 years, as the global financial crisis reduced construction projects and sapped demand for manufactured goods. Manufacturing fell 16.1% from the prior year while construction dropped 11.3% the National Statistics Institute said.

- 08 April 2009 -
In brief...Rohm and Haas has announced plans to exit its current powder coating production site at Castellón, Spain, and build a new, smaller facility in the same area. According to the company, the new facility reflects the company’s continued drive for customer excellence in terms of rapid product development and turnaround of made-to-order products, in addition to its already extensive made-to-stock Claymore range of 800 products, which was introduced last year across all of Europe. This transition will occur throughout the rest of 2009 and into 2010.

“Despite the challenges of the current economic climate, through the introduction of our pan-European Fast-Track development model and the re-engineering of our manufacturing footprint, we are demonstrating our commitment to the very important Spanish powder coatings market,” said Xavier Susterac, general manager for Powder Coatings, Europe. “This new set-up will be less extensive than our current site, reflecting the new dynamics of the Spanish market. However, it will enable us to offer excellent service to our customers and to remain very competitive by reducing our manufacturing costs.”

PPG Industries recently established the first waterborne automotive paint training center in a college in China at Shanghai Communications Polytechnic (SCP). The opening of the training center increases the coordination between college education and original-equipment manufacturing technology while enhancing the link between studies and practical work experience. “College is a place where talented individuals are trained,” said James Yang, business director of PPG Refinish, China and Hong Kong. “Since 2003, PPG has been involved in various educational programs in the region. The establishment of the waterborne paint training center clearly demonstrates PPG’s determination to lead the industry in environmentally responsible technology. We hope to create the most eco-friendly, advanced and efficient working environment through providing waterborne paints, green equipment and advanced technologies to students.”

- 01 April 2009 -
In brief...Eclipse, Inc., a worldwide manufacturer of products and systems for industrial heating and drying applications, announced the opening of its new China operations in Suzhou, China. The new facility spans more than 5,900 square meters, with 1,730 square meters of office and 4,255 square meters of workshop. The new location, located approximately 10 meters from the previous location—which was opened in 2003—is the result of the need for greater office and operations space to serve this growing market. The new facility also serves as the Asian base of operations for Eclipse, which designs and manufactures a wide variety of gas and oil burners, recuperators and heat exchangers, complete combustion systems, and accessories for combustion systems. For more information, visit www.eclipsenet.com.

- 25 March 2008 -
PAL and Elsyca Join Forces to Provide Electroplating Optimization Solutions
Hong Kong-based Process Automation International Ltd. (PAL), which supplies technologies and expertise in a variety of plating methods, has entered into a partnership with Elsyca, a Leuven, Belgium-based supplier of plating feasibility services, intelligent optimization services, and tooling solutions for all types of electrochemical processes. The goal, the parties said, is to provide a one-stop source for electroplating optimization solutions....more

- 18 March 2008 -
In brief...China’s industrial production slowed in the first two months of the year as exports slid at a record pace. Mainland exports collapsed by 25.7% in February from the same month in 2008, after a 17.5% fall in January as consumers in the U.S. and Europe scaled back purchases. Domestic sales in China have slowed as well, with the February consumer price index falling 1.6% from a year ago. Premier Wen Jiabao is aiming to achieve 8% economic growth this year through tax cuts and spending on roads, railways, and houses.

The European Commission earlier this month approved the acquisition of Ciba Holding AG by BASF. The approval is subject to the divestiture of individual product lines and production plants as well as a product license. The conditions apply to products that accounted for sales of less than €100 million ($129.4 million) in 2008. The decision by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is still pending. This approval is a precondition for the closing of the acquisition with the transfer of shares to BASF and the payment of the offer price to Ciba shareholders. BASF is confident of receiving approval by late March/early April. In response to a request by BASF, the Swiss Takeover Board has extended the deadline for the closing of the transaction by four weeks until April 9, 2009.

- 11 March 2009 -
METALFORM Mexico Set for June
The METALFORM Mexico exposition and educational conference will host its sixth conference in conjunction with AWS Weldmex and newly launched FABTECH Mexico at Cintermex in Monterrey, June 2–4, 2009. Joining them will be COATech, the only show for finishing and corrosion control in Mexico....more

- 04 March 2009 -
In brief...BASF Coatings, painting unit of Germany-based BASF, has set up new laboratories and paint mixing stations in its Turkish unit. The new painting facility, which was built as an addition to the BASF Turkey’s chemicals factory in Gebze, is part of the company’s plans to strengthen its position in Turkey’s auto paint market.

U.K.-based Bodycote, which specializes in the heat-treatment of turbine blades and other airplane parts and car components, has announced another round of job cuts and plant closures in response to weakened markets. The Macclesfield, Cheshire–based company, which trimmed 700 jobs from its headcount of 7,700 in the second half of last year, was seeking a further cut of at least 10% in the first half of 2009, according to Stephen Harris, CEO. The cutbacks will involve the closure of 31 plants from among just under 200 operated by the company worldwide. The additional job losses would be evenly distributed across Bodycote's operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.

- 25 February 2009 -
In brief...IMFair ’09, a comprehensive surface coating and surface technology conference and exhibition aimed at the aerospace industry, will take place June 10–11 at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, Shropshire, U.K., in the Cold War building’s 200-seat auditorium. The event, which is organized by The Institute of Metal Finishing, will host leading authorities from the aerospace and surface finishing industries as well as academia. The event will examine current and projected surface engineering developments, with details of the work currently underway and planned. Lunch will be provided on both days, and a gala dinner will be served at the Park House Hotel, Shifnall, on the Wednesday evening. For further details, or for registration information, please contact the booking coordinator at The Institute of Metal Finishing, Exeter House. 48 Holloway Head, Birmingham B1 1NQ; phone +44 (0)121 622 7387; fax: +44 (0)121 666 6316, or click here to e-mail.

- 18 February 2009 -
In brief...Aerospace Processing India (API) has announced the opening of its fully integrated, scalable processing facility in Belgaum (Karnataka, India), to cater to the needs of the aerospace manufacturing industry. Located in the QuEST Global Precision Engineering SEZ, API is positioned to provide metal finishing treatment services for both the Indian export and domestic markets. Magellan Aerospace Ltd. and QuEST Global established API as an independent operating company to provide approved aerospace treatments that are not readily available in India.

Effective Feb. 1, 2009, six national standards concerning environmental protection became effective in China. According to the China Chemical Reporter, the standards include: the Clean Production Standard of the Coal Mining Sector (HJ446-2008); the Clean Production Standard of the Lead Storage Battery Sector (HJ447-2008); the Clean Production Standard of the Leather Processing Sector (HJ448-2008); the Clean Production Standard of the Synthetic Leather Sector (HJ449-2008); the Clean Production Standard of the Print Circuit Board Manufacture Sector (HJ450-2008); and the modification issue of the Clean Production Standard of the Electroplating Sector (HJ/T314-2006). The first five standards regulate the common requirements on the related sectors' clean production, containing requirements on production technologies and facilities; utilization index of sources and energies; index of products and of pollutants discharged (before the final treatment); and requirement on managing environment. These standards are used to assess the environmental impact on new proposed projects, pollutants discharge permit management, and to help determine the efficacy of a company’s clean procedures.

- 11 February 2009 -
In brief...AsianPPG Industries Ltd.—a joint venture of PPG Industries, the world’s second-largest manufacturer of paints and coatings, and Asian Paints (India) Ltd.—won three 2009 Indian Paint Association Awards at the 24th Indian Paint Conference, held Feb. 6–8 in Chennai, India, for research papers written by the AsianPPG technical team. The first winner was a research paper titled: “Use of Taguchi Screening Techniques for Gloss Optimization of Appliance Powder Coatings,” was presented by Amit Amembal, technical executive. Two other papers—“Modeling of Molecular Weight of Acrylic Resins Using Full Factorial Techniques,” co-authored by Nishant Prabhu, technical manager, and Deepak Shanbhag, senior technical officer, and “Self-Polishing Coatings,” by Santosh Shatpalkar, technical officer—won the second and third awards in the research and review categories, respectively.

- 27 January 2009 -
In brief...EBRATS 2009, Brazil’s leading surface finishing exhibition and technical conference, is set to kick off May 7–9 at the Transamerica Expo Center in São Paulo. The event, born 30 years ago, will offer technical courses, surface finishing products and demonstrations, and networking opportunities. For more information, please log on to www.ebrats.org.br.

Columbia Chemical Corp., manufacturer of zinc and zinc-alloy plating additives, has promoted Martin Gall to managing director, Far East Business. Gall will continue to represent business interests in India, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines. In addition, he will now be responsible for the Thailand market, concentrating on expansion within the automotive and motorcycle components sector. Gall’s 17 years of experience with Columbia Chemical include former duties as purchasing manager and operations manager. The previous six years he has served as Far East business manager. 

BASF Coatings Brazil recently received the 2008 Prêmio Interação Mercedes-Benz, an award that recognizes the carmaker’s top suppliers for achieving outstanding results in quality, cost reduction, and cooperation. BASF, the only paint manufacturer to receive an award, has supplied Mercedes in Brazil with automotive paints for more than three decades. In 2008 alone, as part of a project, BASF Coatings supplied Mercedes-Benz with 35 different paints, including polyester and polyurethane paints.

Chemicals maker Huntsman Corp. announced plans to cut 1,175 jobs, close a plant in the United Kingdom, and slash capital spending to reduce costs as demand for its products falls amid the recession. The Woodlands, Texas-based company also plans to cut 490 full-time contractor positions. Through attrition and layoffs the company will trim more than 9% of its work force by the end of 2009, to generate annual savings of $150 million. Huntsman also said it will close its Grimsby, U.K., titanium dioxide plant as demand for pigments has waned. The closing of the plant, which the company says is the “oldest and least efficient” in its pigments division, is expected to save $28 million per year and result in the release of about 200 full-time employees.

- 12 January 2009 -
In brief...AkzoNobel is set to break ground on a new coatings production plant in Hoskote, India, near Bengaluru. The new facility, which will produce coil and specialty plastic coatings for industrial applications, is part of AkzoNobel's ambition to establish itself as one of the major industrial players in India. While the company is already well-represented in India—currently employing 1,500 people in India at six manufacturing plants—the company is determined to expand its presence further. The new plant is being built on an existing AkzoNobel site, which produces marine and protective coatings, powder coatings, and coil coatings. The coil coatings produced at the new plant will mainly be used for high performance steel and aluminium for the construction markets in India and neighboring countries. The first phase of the project should be complete by early 2010, said Binoy Chakraborty, general manager—Industrial Finishes Business, AkzoNobel India.

- 19 December 2008 -
In brief...Chemicals giant AkzoNobel has agreed to acquire a 75/25 majority interest in its Kayaku Akzo Co. Ltd. (KAC) joint venture with Nippon Kayaku. KAC is a leading supplier of organic peroxides to Japan with sales offices in Tokyo and Osaka, as well as a manufacturing and research and development facility in Asa. “This opportunity allows AkzoNobel to gain access to the Japanese market and take on the leadership in the long-standing cooperation,” said Rob Frohn, board member responsible for AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals.

The Sherwin-Williams Company has closed a definitive agreement to acquire Euronavy-Tintas Maritimas e Industriais S.A. of Portugal. Headquartered in Lisbon, Euronavy is a leading innovator of marine and protective coatings applied to ships, offshore platforms, storage tanks, steel, concrete, and flooring. Founded in 1981, Euronavy has 40 employees across its manufacturing and distribution platform with sales approaching $25 million. The company’s products are sold in Brazil, Singapore, China, Vietnam, Dubai, Europe, Portugal, Canada, and the U.S.

- 12 December 2008 -
In brief...Nordson Corp. recently inaugurated its new customer lab near Shanghai, China, with events and training for industry partners and customers. The 86,000-square-foot office facility houses 190 employees and operates as a Center of Excellence to demonstrate Nordson's capabilities to customers in a variety of industries, including appliance, automotive, container, nonwovens, electronics, furniture and wood assembly, life science, packaging, powder and liquid painting, product assembly, and semiconductor. "These investments strongly support our long-term growth strategies and initiatives in the fast-growing markets of the Asia-Pacific region,” said Bradley C. Davis, Asia-Pacific Group vice president. “The strength of our growing and experienced local organization in these areas, coupled with the world-class capabilities of our new facilities, allows Nordson to better serve our customers worldwide." In 2008 alone Nordson invested nearly half a million dollars in global upgrades to its Industrial Coating customer demonstration labs.

The Aluminum Associations’ sustainability specialist, Marshall Wang, took part in the 2008 China Aluminum Forum held recently in Sanya, Hainan Province, China. The main topic of this year’s three-day conference: “Aluminum Industrial Players, How to Survive Financial Tsunami.” The forum focused on the challenges the Chinese aluminum industry is currently facing. Specifically, Wang conducted a presentation on global sustainability challenges and possible opportunities for China's aluminum industry. He also participated in the Asia-Pacific Partnership Aluminum Task Force meeting to discuss the next stages of the program, particularly PFC reduction and aluminum recycling.  The partnership was formed by the national aluminum associations of Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, Korea, and the United States. General discussion topics included: the global financial crisis and Chinese financial policy; Chinese aluminum consumption and prospect for its future market; mid-to-long term prospect for Chinese alumina supply and its impact on global market; and the increased cost of bauxite and what it means to aluminum production.

- 05 December 2008 -
Chinese Automakers Seek Their Own Bailout Package
It seems the major American automotive manufacturers are not the only ones seeking a massive multibillion rescue package from the government. China’s car industry is quietly pressing Beijing for government help as it copes with stalling vehicle sales....more

- 05 December 2008 -
In brief...Rohm and Haas declared on Nov. 21 the opening of the initial phase of a new manufacturing facility in the Ramenskoye region of Moscow, Russia—its largest investment in Russia to date. The new polymer emulsions facility, which will focus on additives for paint and coatings materials and adhesives, is planned to have an eventual capacity of 70,000 metric tons upon completion of the final stage. According to Rohm and Haas, the facility was developed from a greenfield site with close proximity to key customers and with good access to local and imported raw materials and all key utilities. It has been designed with the capability to make a wider range of polymers for coatings and detergents at a later date.

- 21 November 2008 -
In brief...BASF, citing a sharp fall in demand, has announced plans to suspend operations at 80 plants worldwide and reduce operations at 100 others in Europe, Asia, and North America. The moves will affect 20,000 workers. "BASF was preparing for tough times," said chairman Juergen Hambrecht in a statement. “We are responding flexibly to market developments and are acting quickly.” BASF said it had been hit by "a massive decline in demand," primarily in the automotive, construction and textile industries, and that the cutbacks would involve production of ammonia, styrene and polyamide—chemicals used to produce engineering plastics, coatings, and fibers.

- 07 November 2008 -
In brief...DuPont earlier this week announced the opening of its second office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Abu Dhabi office will focus specifically on strengthening the company’s relationships with a variety of industries and markets, including automotive coatings, oil and gas, building and construction, agriculture and food. “The Middle East is one of the fastest growing markets for DuPont today,” said Ian Hudson, president–DuPont Europe, Middle East and Africa, adding that DuPont’s sales in the UAE have increased more than 50% since this time last year. DuPont businesses serving the oil and gas industry include DuPont Powder Coatings, DuPont Titanium Technologies, DuPont Personal Protection, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise, DuPont Nonwovens, and DuPont Safety Resources. For the oil and gas industry specifically, DuPont provides solutions in anti-corrosion, safety productivity, protective coatings, blasting abrasives, personal protection solutions, industrial cleaning solutions, landscaping solutions, fire extinguishing solutions, and safety consulting.

Wisconsin Oven Corporation, a leading U.S. supplier of industrial ovens, announces a partnership with France-based Elmetherm, which specializes in the design and manufacturing of mechanical, thermal, and automated systems. Both companies supply equipment to the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries. Wisconsin Oven and Elmetherm bring a broad range of knowledge and experience to the partnership, which aims to significantly benefit their current and future customers via. According to the parties, the coordination of their technologies into automated heat treating systems opens a broad spectrum of advanced capabilities to the industries they serve. Wisconsin Oven Corporation has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing industrial ovens and other heating equipment for over 35 years, while Elmetherm has been designing, building, and commissioning turnkey installations of mechanical, thermal, and automated equipment for more than 30 years.

- 31 October 2008 -
In brief...China’s economy slowed to 9% in the third quarter from 11.9% in 2007 while industrial production grew at the slowest pace in six years in September as export markets dried up. China's economic growth has decelerated for five straight quarters. Signs of weakness span property, industrial production, export orders, and the 69% fall in the CSI 300 Index of stocks this year. The People's Bank of China earlier this week reduced its benchmark one-year lending rate to 6.66% from 6.93%. The bank also projects the deposit rate will drop to 3.60% from 3.87%.

- 24 October 2008 -
In brief...China's export of automobile parts is trending downward due to the global financial crisis, renminbi appreciation, and more furious market competition, according to Xu Changming, director for the information resources development department of the State Information Center. Chinese auto parts companies' export destination consists mostly of developed countries and territories, whose vehicle sales volume has been slipping since the beginning of the year. Among the most prominent exporters seeing a decline: Wanfeng Auto Holding Group, one of China's noted private aluminum alloy wheel producers; transmission parts supplier Shaanxi Fast Gear Co., Ltd., whose export values have fallen 40% over the last two years. Lastly, Shandong Gold Phoenix Group Co., Ltd., a brake pad front-runner in China and a long-term partner of Delphi Corporation and the National Automotive Parts Association (NAPA) of the U.S., is looking to enact counter measures to offset the decline in exports.

- 17 October 2008 -
In brief...BASF Coatings has introduced its waterborne basecoats in Romania, making it the first paint manufacturer to do so, the company claims. BASF Coatings’ waterborne basecoat technology will be used to coat carmaker Dacia’s Logan and new Sandero models, which are produced in Pitesti. (Each day 1,400 vehicles are coated at the Dacia plant, with plans to produce 400,000 new vehicles annually starting in 2010.) All of the colors come from BASF’s Color Design Studio Europe.

- 10 October 2008 -
In brief...DuPont Automotive Systems recently received a suppliers “Q1 certification” award from Ford, one of its top customers, for delivering outstanding automotive finishing services to Ford plants in São Bernardo do Campo and Camaçari, Brazil. The international certification recognizes DuPont as one of a few companies to receive this honor for the quality of its products and services. To receive the award, suppliers must meet or exceed several requirements established by the manufacturer. These requirements include: delivery timing, ongoing support, capacity in the production process, rapid problem solving, costs, environmental responsibility, and technical innovation.

The Coatings for Pipeline Protection Conference is scheduled to take place Jan. 26–28 at the Renaissance Hotel in Vienna, Austria. Noted authorities and experts in the field are expected to discuss a variety of timely issues, including: the massive growth in pipeline construction, driven by changes in the patterns of energy supply and demand. Also, the rising cost of energy, which is providing companies and governments alike with both the incentive and the finances to fund ambitious new pipeline projects. Of course, speakers will delve into emerging pipeline coating technologies as well as quality control issues and standards. For more information, contact Dr. Sally Humphreys, business development manager for Applied Market Information Ltd., at sh@amiplastics.com. You may also visit www.amiconferences.com for details on the conference.

- 03 October 2008 -
In brief...Italy-based Inver S.p.A., which specializes in industrial liquid and powder coatings, has agreed to purchase the powder coating businesses of AB Wilh. Becker Powder Coatings, one of the world’s largest paint and coatings manufacturers. Specifically, Inver will acquire Becker Powder Coatings' four European production plants located in France (Thouars), the UK (Liverpool), Poland (Debica), and Italy (L'Aquila). When complete, the acquisition will make Inver the fourth-largest producer in the European powder market.

BASF Coatings has opened a new center in Shanghai for the purpose of training automotive spray painting professionals and body shop workers. The new Refinish Competence Center in Shanghai provides training for spray painters from authorized service centers and body shops working with leading distributors. Participants will learn techniques for painting and repairing car brands such as Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, and Peugeot Citroën, as well as other leading brands. Courses last for four days each and range from beginning spray gun use to advanced color matching. The Shanghai center marks the company’s fourth training center in China, following the opening of training facilities in Beijing, Shenyang, and Guangzhou, and bring to 47 the number of training centers worldwide.

PPG Industries has acquired the automotive refinish coatings business of the Bonny Coating-Made Co. Ltd. in Guangzhou, China. PPG said the purchase of the 10-year-old company's customer list, technology, brands, trademarks, and working capital gives it a more comprehensive and competitive product offering in China, while extending PPG's distribution network and customer base. About 40 employees involved with Bonny's sales, research and development, quality control, technical support, and warehousing will transfer with the business, which will operate as a PPG subsidiary.

- 26 September 2008 -
In brief...Evonik Industries’ Coatings & Additives Business Unit has announced a price increase of 10% for the product group VESTANAT in Asia, effective Oct. 1, 2008. According to the company, this price adjustment is necessary to ensure that Evonik remains a dependable, quality provider to its customers in a very challenging environment. Even significant cost-reduction initiatives have not been sufficient to offset the dramatic rise in costs of raw materials, energy, packaging, and freight.

- 19 September 2008 -
In brief...Birmingham, Mich.-based Magni Group, Inc., a global supplier of engineered, corrosion-resistant coatings for automotive and non-automotive metal products, recently celebrated the grand opening of two new facilities in Asia. Magni China’s facility, located in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province (near Shanghai), is a manufacturing and distribution center for Magni coatings and headquarters for sales and technical services. The Magni Korea Technical Center, located in Ansan Si, is the headquarters for sales and technical services. The two new China and Korea laboratories—which brings to 15 the total number of Magni facilities worldwide—were co-designed by Magni’s engineers from the U.S., China, and Korea. Both labs operate to the high standards and capabilities of all Magni global labs, which feature a range of high-tech testing and analysis tools. For more information, visit www.themagnigroup.com.

BASF recently announced plans to acquire Swiss specialty chemical maker Ciba Holding AG, for approximately €3.8 billion ($5.5 billion). According to BASF, the acquisition will help the company boost efficiency via economies of scale and position BASF as a leading supplier of chemicals for the paper industry; a preferred supplier to the plastics industry; and the second-largest supplier of coating effect materials. In addition, the planned acquisition would strengthen BASF's presence in fast-growing emerging countries and improve its market position in important industries such as automotive, packaging, construction, electronics, and water purification. “With the acquisition of Ciba, we are strengthening our portfolio and expanding our leading position in specialty chemicals with products and services for a variety of customer industries—in particular the plastics and coatings industries as well as water treatment,” said Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht, chairman of the board of executive directors of BASF SE.

- 12 September 2008 -
In brief...BASF has announced the expansion of its coatings facilities in Mangalore and catalyst plant in Chennai. The moves are designed to expand its offerings for the automotive industry. Specifically, the company will build a new engineering plastics compounding plant at its existing site in Thane, which is expected to come on stream by the second half of 2009. BASF has also set up a computer-aided engineering (CAE) lab in Thane, where its engineers design and optimize new engineering plastic parts in close cooperation with customers. Further, BASF Coatings commissioned a new Refinish Color Lab at Mangalore in February 2008, and is expanding its e-coat facility, which is expected to be completed by end of 2008. Also underway is the expansion of BASF's catalyst plant in Chennai. The plant will triple its capacity by 2009, as announced in August 2007.

The fifth edition of the METALFORM Mexico tradeshow, sponsored by the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA), is scheduled for Nov. 11–13, 2008, at CentroBanamex in Mexico City. Organizers say the show will feature activities that address the changing competitive landscape and ever-present workforce development problems that have arisen due to the country’s sharp increase in the number of suppliers of stamped metal parts. During three days of exhibits, attendees will view the latest products and technologies courtesy of 125 equipment manufacturers and service providers. New exhibitors will address the needs of the fast-growing fabricating segment by promoting cutting, bending, and other fabricating equipment. For more information, visit www.metalform.com/mexico.

- 05 September 2008 -
In brief...BASF Coatings is opening its first Design Studio in Europe for the coatings industry. The facility, which is located very close to its headquarters and production plant in Münster, Germany, covers more than 300 square meters. The lower floor of the new Design Center is reserved for presentations and customer meetings, while the upper floor provides a working space and library where designers can research and finalize their ideas. BASF Coating’s design team develops dozens of new colors for the automotive industry each year and publishes highly regarded annual trend forecasts.

United Air Specialists (UAS), which designs and manufactures technologically innovative, high-performance custom air filtration equipment for a wide range of industrial applications, has tapped Montreal-based Preston Phipps, Inc., to represent its full line of dust and mist/fume collection equipment. Preston Phipps—in business for 75 years—will now be the exclusive source for UAS dust and mist/fume filtration solutions in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. The company provides expertise in a broad range of industrial steam, valve, HVAC, and water treatment products and solutions. For more information, visit www.prestonphipps.com.

- 29 August 2008 -
In brief...Evonik Industries’ Coatings & Additives Business Unit has announced a price increase of 8% for all VESTAGON PUR related powder coatings products in Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Near/Middle East, Africa, and South America. The increase is effective Oct. 1 2008. This increase includes all standard crosslinkers, matte polyurethane products, as well as the newest crosslinking system developed for low-temperature cure. Rapidly rising costs of raw materials, energy, labor, and logistics have made this decision unavoidable, despite all efforts to further enhance productivity and cost reduction, the company said. For more information, visit www.smartformulating.com.

- 22 August 2008 -
Enthone Opens Semiconductor Applications Center in Taiwan
Enthone, Inc., a business of Cookson Electronics, has announced the opening of its Semiconductor Applications Center in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The Semiconductor Applications Center represents a multi-million dollar investment that further enables Enthone to deliver customer-driven solutions to the dynamic wafer fabrication marketplace....more

- 22 August 2008 -
In brief...AkzoNobel has expanded its presence in China with the opening of a new site for the manufacture and sales of protective coatings in Suzhou, China, about 80 kilometers west of Shanghai. During an opening ceremony on Aug. 18, Leif Darner, the AkzoNobel board of management member responsible for Performance Coatings, noted that AkzoNobel has had a strong presence in China since the late 1980s and continues to expand its operations there. “China is clearly fundamental to our global strategic vision, and we are committed to expanding our activities in what is one of the world’s most important markets,” he said. “Last year we outlined our new ambition to achieve revenues in China totaling $2 billion by 2012, and this investment will contribute in reaching this goal.” Marine & Protective Coatings general manager, Bill McPherson, put the investment at more than $34 million. He said the company’s hope is to increase the capacity in gradual steps over the next 10 years and eventually reach an output of 50 million liters.

- 15 August 2008 -
PPG Industries Continues Expansion in China
PPG Industries earlier this week celebrated the opening of its new automotive coatings plant in the city of Wuhi, China (Anhui Province). The move is designed to support Chery Automotive, one of PPG’s biggest customers in the region....more

- 15 August 2008 -
In brief...MetoKote Corporation, an industry leader in metal finishing processes, including electrocoat (e-coat), powder coat and liquid paint, has announced the opening of its newest facility in San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico. The plant marks the eighth facility in Mexico for MetoKote, which has a total of 38 facilities across North America, South America, and Europe. MetoKote strategically located this facility in the San Luis Potosí area because of the rapid growth in this region and the strong demand for coatings. This central region of Mexico, referred to as Bajio and Altiplano areas, is within a two-hour radius of industrial cities such as Queretaro, Aguascalientes Irapuato, Leon, and Silao. The plant currently operates one high-production electrocoat monorail line with a part envelope of 36” × 48” × 72”. The line is designed to coat small to medium-sized parts with a turnaround time of 24 hours or less. This facility also offers light assembly, special packaging for automotive spare parts, labeling, and inventory tracking of customer parts. Once full capacity is reached, the company expects to employ approximately 50 employees.

DuPont Titanium Technologies recently announced a price increase for all DuPont Ti-Pure titanium dioxide grades sold in Latin America. The hikes, which went into effect on Aug. 1, entail $150 (US$) per metric ton for DuPont coatings, plastics, specialty, paper, and laminate titanium dioxide grades. "While demand for titanium dioxide remains quite strong, our costs—from raw materials to energy and utilities to reinvestment in production assets—are at historically high levels and continue to escalate," said Ian Edwards, global business director for DuPont Titanium Technologies. "So we have no choice but to immediately impose a new price increase, in addition to the ones we announced in June and July. Given the current volatility and unpredictability of our input costs, contracts are currently being renegotiated to permit a more timely response to these external factors."

- 08 August 2008 -
In brief...Nordson Corporation has acquired MLT Systems Holdings (Pty) Ltd. and its subsidiary MLT Application Systems (Pty) Ltd. of Cape Town, South Africa. MLT, which operates additional field offices in Johannesburg and Durban, has been the exclusive distributor of Nordson products in South Africa since 1989. “For 20 years we have had a very strong partnership with MLT,” said Edward P. Campbell, Nordson chairman, president and CEO. “We have mutually agreed that this transaction is the next step in our relationship and the best way to continue growing Nordson’s business in the country of South Africa and the greater region.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The Sherwin-Williams Company has closed a definitive agreement to acquire the Liquid Coatings Subsidiaries of Inchem Holdings of Inchem Holdings International Ltd. Inchem, headquartered in Singapore, produces coatings applied to wood and plastic products in Asia. The coatings are made and sold in China, Vietnam, and Malaysia, and distributed to 15 other Asian countries. Founded in 1992, Inchem has more than 400 employees across its four manufacturing plants, generates sales of approximately $30 million, and boasts a reputation for innovative technology and quality products. “This acquisition reaffirms our commitment to growing globally through organic expansion, accelerated by strategically important acquisitions,” said Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO of the Sherwin-Williams Co.

- 01 August 2008 -
In brief...DuPont Russian Coatings, LLC has opened the largest technical center in Russia dedicated to the development of high-performance automotive coatings. The $3 million facility is located at the Yaroslav headquarters of DuPont Russian Coatings, a joint venture established in 2006 by DuPont and Russkie-Kraski to supply coatings to manufacturers of automobiles and commercial vehicles in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. The new research and development center’s primary focus is adapting the technical properties of new coatings materials to the line conditions at new car manufacturers’ plants and at the operations of plastic parts makers.

PLASMATREAT GmbH, a leading supplier of atmospheric-pressure plasma technology, plans to showcase important developments in the field of cleaning and coating aluminium parts at the Aluminium 2008 World Trade Fair & Conference in Essen, Germany, Sept. 23–25, 2008. In addition to simultaneously presenting two novel plasma processes arousing interest throughout the world, the company will also provide information about the latest applications of Openair plasma technology in the pretreatment of aluminium strip.

- 25 July 2008 -
In brief...Ford Motor Company reported sales in its main European markets (51 in all) rose by almost 2% in the first half of the year. That represents a record 1,003,700 vehicles. The top-selling models in June across the Euro 19 markets were the Focus (33,200 vehicles), Fiesta (30,600 vehicles), and Mondeo (14,300 vehicles). The compact crossover Kuga continued its strong start with sales of 2,800 vehicles. "Surpassing the one million mark after only six months of the year is confirmation of how well our products are being received by an increasing number of customers," said Ingvar Sviggum, vice president of marketing, sales, and service, Ford of Europe. "We are also very pleased that despite a general softening of the industry, and the challenging economic environment, we increased our market share to 8.8% in the Euro 19 markets.”

- 18 July 2008 -
Chinese Industries Move to 'Clean House' in Advance of
Olympic Games
Twenty-four heavily polluting and water-consuming firms have been closed or have had their operations suspended since early last year to ensure clean air during the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games, Chinese officials announced earlier this month. These firms produced cement, glass, paper, chemical products, or were involved in casting, printing, dyeing, and electroplating industries....more

- 18 July 2008 -
In brief...DSM, which specializes in performance coatings and base chemicals and materials, opened a new research and development center in the Jiangsu Province in China. The new facility, which contains a new synthesis laboratory, will become DSM's new innovations center and enable the company to react faster to developments in Asia and China. It will also complement the existing marketing and distribution activities in Kunshan. The laboratory will be relocated to DSM's headquarters in China at the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in Pudong (Shanghai) when the construction work at this site is complete. The inauguration of DSM's Chinese headquarters is scheduled for the end of 2008.

China's biggest aluminum producers, the largest in the world, agreed to cut output by as much as 10% to ease a power shortage, sending metal prices to a record high. Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. and 19 of its peers signed the agreement earlier this week to curb supply by between 5% and 10%. (Aluminum gained as much as 5.3% to $3,360 a tonne on the London Metal Exchange after the announcement.) The reductions may help alleviate a sixth year of power shortages in the world’s fourth-largest economy and curb Chinese aluminum exports, which jumped 43% in June.

- 11 July 2008 -
In brief...AJK Analytical Services and Avans+ in cooperation with Philips Lighting have announced plans to hold a basic course in wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (WD-XRF) Nov. 17–19, 2008, in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. The course is the second such event of the year (the first edition took place in June and included attendees from seven different companies in both the Netherlands and Belgium) and is open to anyone interested in XRF as a technology or working at any of the various systems. For more information, contact Dr. A.J. Kinneging, AJK Analytical Services, via telephone (+31 164 241134); mobile phone (+31 630882796); via e-mail bertkinneging@ajk-analytical.com; or on the Web at www.ajk-analytical.com.

BASF SE said it has signed an agreement with Yasar, a Turkish company, to acquire its stake in the 50-50 joint venture Yasar BASF Automotive Coatings Ltd. No financial details were disclosed. According to the parties, the move is part of BASF’s plans to strengthen its position among international automotive manufacturers and suppliers in the Turkish market. In 2007, the joint venture generated sales of about 45 million euros, with 130 employees.

- 03 July 2008 -
In brief...Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. (KMS), a world-class developer and manufacturer of innovative membranes and membrane filtration systems, has provided KPAK ultrafiltration (UF) modules for use in the finishing system at a new assembly facility for an automotive manufacturer located in Ontario, Canada. (The KPAK membranes remove contaminants from the electrocoat paint bath and achieve high permeate rates for efficient paint recovery and rinsewater production.) KMS has delivered a rack of seven KPAK modules for use in the Main Body Electrocoat Paint System and a rack of six KPAK modules for use in the Shell/Body Electrocoat Paint System. The KPAK modules feature a “potted spiral” design whereby the spiral-wound membrane is secured with epoxy to the inside of a PVC shell. The potted construction allows for zero bypass of paint or cleaning solution, resulting in maximum utilization of paint and excellent energy efficiency, as well as superior cleanability. For more information, please visit www.kochmembrane.com.

MetoKote Corp., Inc., an industry leader in metal finishing processes, including electrocoat (e-coat), powder coat, and liquid paint, has appointed Felix Barrera to the position of sales account manager for its plant in Saltillo/Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico. In this role, Barrera will act as the primary liaison with current and future customers for this facility. MetoKote currently operates eight facilities in Mexico, with the Saltillo/Ramos Arizpe facility being the first Mexico facility established in 2000.

DuPont has signed a three-year agreement with Nissan Middle East to supply three leading refinish brands (Standox, Spies Hecker, and DuPont Refinish) to the body repair facilities of all Nissan Service Centers across the Middle East. Under the terms of the agreement, DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) will be integrated into Nissan Middle East’s full training program, which will be conducted at their headquarters in Dubai and extended throughout the regional network of Nissan Service Centers.

- 27 June 2008 -
In brief...Auburn Hills, Mich.–based Acme Manufacturing Co., a leader in the design and integration of automated polishing, buffing, deburring, and grinding systems since 1910, announced the opening of an office in Bangalore, India. In support of this initiative, the company has hired Guvvala Rajasekhara Reddy, business development manager of the Acme/India office. Reddy has more than 20 years of experience in the machine tool industry—10 of which he spent with Fanuc Robotics of India. He has an extensive background in the marketing, selling, and servicing of machine tool automation and robotic applications. For more information, visit Acme’s website, www.acmemfg.com, or contact Joe Saad, director of sales, at saadj@acmemfg.com.  

Keronite PLC of Cambridge, UK, has reached an agreement with Portugal-based Caetano Coatings for the installation of a fully automated Keronite production line for high-volume and batch production. Two versions of the patented Keronite Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) process are to be installed in Carregado, Portugal, for the surface treatment of both aluminum and magnesium components. The major facility is expected to be fully operational before the end of the year. Caetano’s ISO-certified facilities in Portugal supply market leaders in the automotive and general engineering industries. For more information about Keronite, please e-mail info@keronite.com or visit the company’s website at www.keronite.com. For more information about Caetano Coatings, please e-mail sales.tec@caetanocoatings.pt or visit www.caetanocoatings.pt.

Rohm and Haas Company began operations at its new high-tech plant in Querétaro, Mexico. According to the company, the facility is the first plant in Latin America to operate under its “21st Century Manufacturing” principles guaranteeing best standard levels of efficiency and productivity. The main goal of Rohm and Haas with this investment is to develop a high-performance center of technology and services by increasing its presence in Mexico, Andean countries, Central America, and the Caribbean. “With this action in Querétaro, we welcome this new production and distribution platform for our products,” said Mauro Trevisani, Rohm and Haas Mexico country manager, adding that the company expects growth between 10–15% in the region. “This gives the best attention to our customers in Mexico and Latin America. At the same time, we will satisfy customer needs more efficiently by transferring the production we had in our Apizaco plant to Querétaro.”

- 27 June 2008 -  
IPC Concerned About Proposed Expansion of RoHS Directive
Industry leaders representing key segments of the electronics supply chain came together at an IPC workshop in Brussels on June 18 to address industry concerns with the Öko-Institut report on the proposed expansion of RoHS substance restrictions. According to IPC—the Association Connecting Electronics Industries—these new recommendations would have a significant negative impact on IPC members....more

- 20 June 2008 -
In brief...China's industrial-production growth accelerated last month on rising exports, signaling that the world's fourth-biggest economy is weathering a global slowdown. According to the Statistics Bureau, output rose 16% in May from a year earlier after gaining 15.7%. Overseas shipments surged last month and retail-sales growth was close to the highest in nine years, keeping factories busy even as the deadliest earthquake in 32 years disrupted output in Sichuan province. The shortening of a weeklong May holiday to a three-day break boosted production. To put the growth in perspective, Chinese output growth is more than double the pace in India, the world's second-fastest growing major economy. Production in that country rose 7% in April from a year earlier.

Kemira Group earlier this week announced it will significantly raise prices globally across its entire product portfolio—in some cases exceeding 25%. The increases, which went into effect on June 16, reflect the increase of costs on a geographical basis and will vary by product (coatings, specialty chemicals, water, and paper/pulp). "Costs for raw materials, energy, and transportation have continued to increase, and no relief is expected in the near future," said Harri Kerminen, Kemira's president and CEO. "Under these conditions our only choice is to implement product price increases, while we will continue to take all measures to keep costs under control to minimize the impact on our customers."

BASF Coatings Services (Pty) Ltd. is set to take over the business of MAB Auto Body Parts and Paint Centre Ltd. in Johannesburg, South Africa. MAB sales activities related to automotive refinish products, non-paint products, body panels and services, as well as the staff and parts of the management, will be integrated into BASF Coatings Services (Pty) Ltd. The two companies have not disclosed information on the purchase price. The takeover will become official about two months after authorization by the local competition commission has been granted. Glasurit, BASF Coatings’ paint brand, is already very successful in South Africa. With the acquisition of MAB, BASF Coatings is now strengthening its good position in South Africa on a long-term basis, especially in the key region of Gauteng. The automotive refinishing market in South Africa is one of Africa’s largest markets. Fifty percent of the continent’s vehicles are found on the roads of South Africa. Seven carmakers manufacture cars in South Africa. In addition, there are over 1,000 paint and body shops in South Africa.

AkzoNobel has agreed to sell its Para and Crown Diamond decorative paints brands in Canada to General Paint Corp., a leading decorative coatings manufacturer in Canada. The sale is in line with the commitment package that was agreed to with the Canadian authorities in connection with AkzoNobel's acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries plc (ICI) in January. Completion is subject to certain customary conditions and the approval of the Commissioner of Competition. The deal is expected to be completed on June 30. No financial details were disclosed.

- 06 June 2008 -
In brief...Metal Finishing News (MFN), a publication entirely focused on peening, blasting, cleaning, and vibratory finishing, has released its 2008 schedule of international workshops. Dates for the courses, which are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, can be found by visiting www.mfn.li/workshops or by contacting MFN via
e-mail at info@mfn.li.

TURKCOAT 2008 Paint Ingredients and Production Technologies Exhibition, billed as the most important coatings event of southern Europe and the Middle East, kicks off Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at the Istanbul Exhibition Center. Doubling its size in its second year, the expo has become an important brand that serves as the meeting point of the industry. Segments represented will include: raw materials, auxiliary materials, manufacture and import of special chemicals, laboratory equipment, machinery and equipment, packaging, measurement control, treatment, automation, logistics, occupational safety, etc. For more information, visit www.turkcoat.com, e-mail demir@artkim.com.tr, or call Demir Buyukozkan, group sales manager, at +90 212 324 00 00.

- 30 May 2008 -
In brief...DSM Powder Coating Resins earlier this month opened an R&D facility in Kunshan, Jiangsu Province, China. Patrick Niels, BU director of DSM Powder Coating Resins, called the opening an “important step forward” for the firm in China. “In addition to our existing production base in Kunshan and local marketing and sales force, this lab will become the new incubator of our innovation competences and will help us respond faster to the developments in Asia, especially China,” he said. “The economy is growing at such a high rate here and, therefore, it is more and more important we can test and develop products locally.” According to Niels, the lab will likely move to the DSM China Campus in the Zhangjiang Hi-Tech Park in the Pudong New Area of Shanghai when construction on this new site has been completed. The DSM China Campus is scheduled to open at the end of 2008.

PPG Industries has awarded its 2007 Excellent Supplier Award to Sartorius AG for its exceptional quality, service, and delivery. The Goettingen-based company met all the criteria of a rating system PPG uses to evaluate its suppliers, winning high grades in categories such as product quality, delivery reliability, service, and responsiveness. This placed Sartorius at the top of the rankings along with another seven out of PPG's 16,000 suppliers. Since 2004, Sartorius has been supplying electronic paint-mixing scales to PPG’s automotive refinish business. PPG uses these Sartorius products to accurately control the formulation weighing and reproducibility of paints and coatings.

Henkel Corp., Dusseldorf, Germany, has announced Thomas Geitner will assume responsibility for the company’s Adhesives Technologies business sector, effective mid-June. Geitner, who has been a member of the Henkel Management Board since March 1, 2008, takes over for Alois Linder, executive vice president, Adhesives Technologies, who announced his resignation from the company. “The integration process of the recently acquired National Starch businesses has started excellently—Alois Linder’s decision to hand over his office at an earlier date is an important step to maintain both the speed and continuity of this major project,” said Kasper Rorsted, CEO of Henkel. “My special thanks go to Alois. He has very successfully managed our Adhesives business and set the course for the future. I am convinced that Thomas will successfully continue the further development and internationalization of our Adhesives businesses.”

- 16 May 2008 -
In brief...AkzoNobel has agreed to a transfer of the lease on its London base. The company will be moving into new office space a few miles away in Portland House. The Manchester Square property—formerly ICI’s head office—will be taken over by The Boston Consulting Group. The substantial deal has been agreed to just a few months after AkzoNobel’s acquisition of ICI. “We’re very keen to make swift and efficient progress with all aspects of the ICI integration and it’s pleasing to have agreed this transaction so quickly,” said AkzoNobel CEO Hans Wijers. “It’s also a fine example of how focused we are on benefiting from the many synergies we have identified.” The company has taken over the 26th floor of Portland House, which is situated close to Victoria Station. Approximately 75 employees will move to the new location and are due to be in place by the end of June. The Manchester Square deal will officially be finalized in August.

DuPont Industrial CoatingSolutions Brazil recently received the "Partnership Excellence Award" from the John Deere Agricultural Equipment Division at the 2008 John Deere Achieving Excellence Banquet and Supplier Conference. The "Partnership Excellence Award" honors excellence in supply of paint and coatings for 2007. DuPont Industrial CoatingSolutions Brazil excelled in the quality of the coatings, the timely supply of the coatings, and its superior service to John Deere in the application of these coatings.

BASF AG plans to double its manufacturing capacity for certain alkylethonalamines (AEOA) by mid-2009. This expansion is the company's response to increases in its customers demand for these products. BASF manufactures its range of AEOA specialties at the integrated Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, by means of a flexible, fully backward-integrated multi-product facility. AEOA, such as ethylethanolamines, propylethanolamines, and butylethanolamines, are used successfully in a wide array of applications, including coatings and lubricants in pharmaceutical and agrochemical products.

- 09 May 2008 -
TrueLogic Opens Asia-Pacific Regional Office in Singapore
TrueLogic Company, LLC, maker of TrueChem chemical and wet-process management/control software, has announced the opening of its Asia-Pacific regional office in Singapore. TrueLogic Far East will be responsible for business development, sales, and customer satisfaction for TrueChem across the Asia-Pacific region....more

- 09 May 2008 -
In brief...BASF SE said it will set up a new engineering plastics factory in the city of Thane and that it plans to expand its coatings facilities in Mangalore, both in India, to cater to the booming car industry in Asia. (Asian car makers posted an 8% sales increase last year, making Asia the fastest growing region in the global automotive industry, according to BASF.) In Thane, where BASF operates a plastics engineering lab, the company will build an engineering plastics compounding plant that will enter service in the second half of 2009. In Mangalore, BASF is building a new laboratory for systems to mend damaged coatings.


- 02 May 2008 -
In brief...3M Co. plans to build a new facility in Singapore to produce coatings for film-based products used in commercial, electronic, and automotive applications. The expansion site will be responsible for the coating of optical films, window film, and other film products. 3M estimates it will spend about $200 million on the facility over two years.

KMI Systems, Inc. has successfully completed the installation of a new porcelain enamel system for Midea, a major appliance manufacturer located in Guangdong, China. The new porcelain enamel coating line will be used for coating small appliances. The new system comprises a four-stage washer, dry-off oven, two Nordson powder booths, an environmental room, and porcelain enamel furnace. With four major projects installed in China and one more on the way, KMI has the experience, expertise, and dedication needed to deliver quality systems to companies in China. From the beginning the project was on a fast track, and KMI was able to deliver the system in less than 18 weeks, from purchase order to production.  

- 25 April 2008 -
In brief...Royal DSM N.V. announced its long-term manufacturing plan to expand its polyester powder coating resin facilities and prepare its manufacturing network for the future. The capacity at three of its locations will be expanded, while preparations have started for further expansions. Including investments currently under consideration, the long-term manufacturing plan would result in a total capacity expansion of 40 kilotons. The investments are scheduled for the period 2007–2010. As a first step, the facilities in Schoonebeek (the Netherlands), Ping Tung (Taiwan), and Santa Margarida (Spain) will be expanded. At the site in Augusta, Ga. (United States), engineering has already been started to prepare for a significant expansion of capacity for the American market. The announced investments are in addition to the capacity expansions as announced in 2006 in Kunshan (China), Ping Tung, and Santa Margarida. The investments at both Asian sites are fully aligned with and supported by Eternal Chemical, DSM's joint venture partner for these operations.
 
Columbia Chemical has named Tecnochimica its exclusive distributor in Italy. Since its foundation more than 25 years ago, the San Giuliano Milanese–based company has focused on the sale of specialty products to the electroplating industry, and has imported Columbia Chemical’s acid tin products for 18 years. “Thanks to Columbia Chemical technology and processes, we have achieved significant zinc business in the Italian plating market, said Fabio Farina, technical sales representative for Tecnochimica Italy. “Our partnership has enhanced our customer base and product turnover significantly.”

- 11 April 2008 -
In brief...Rohm and Haas Europe 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 this acquisition we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to the powder coatings market," said Xavier Susterac, general manager powder coatings, Europe. "France remains a major market in the overall European powder coatings arena and one where we expect to see considerable growth opportunities through ACIL's excellent reputation and customer reach."

Machine tooling firm Haas Automation, Inc., of Oxnard Calif., announced the opening of two new Haas Factory Outlets (HFOs) in India to accommodate the country's booming manufacturing economy. The facilities are based in Bihwadi (near Delhi) and Ahmedabad. This brings to four the number of HFOs in India, with a fifth outlet scheduled to open in Chennai in June. Justin Quan, Haas business manager for Asia, noted that the Indian economy is remarkably strong. Calling it home to the largest forging facility in the world and citing GDP growth projections of 8% to 9% annually, he also noted that Indian airlines are going global, and a major Indian automotive manufacturer (Tata Motors) recently acquired Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford Motor Company. The shift from a labor-intensive type of production to high-tech CNC machine tools is one of the great drivers of Indian industry, he added. For more information about Haas Automation and Haas products, visit www.HaasCNC.com or call (800) 331-6746.

- 04 April 2008 -
In brief...Dutch chemicals and paint giant Akzo Nobel earlier this week put its U.K. business, Crown Paints, on the market for up to £200m ($396 million). According to the investment bank Greenhill, which has been appointed to find buyers for Lancashire-based Crown, the auction is likely to attract interest from buyers such as U.S. companies eager to expand into Britain. Industry observers say Akzo Nobel has been pressured by the European Commission to sell its U.K. paint business because its £8 billion ($15.8 billion) takeover of ICI last year has given it too much dominance over the U.K. market. Akzo Nobel’s purchase of ICI gave it control over Dulux, Britain’s largest paint manufacturer in Britain. (Crown is the second-largest manufacturer in that country.) Analysts also say Akzo Nobel is due to dispose of a number of other businesses and sites across Europe to satisfy the European Competition authorities. These include manufacturing and warehousing sites in Belfast, Hull, and Dublin, as well as the Macpherson, Permoglaze, and Sandtex brands.

DuPont and a joint venture Decorimex recently held a technical seminar for entities serving the coatings and paints industry in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The aim was to increase awareness of Ti-Pure, DuPont’s brand name for titanium dioxide. Yuri Svistelnikov, technical specialist, DuPont Titanium Technologies, shared information on the technology, properties, and applications of Ti-Pure. “The seminar was of great value for our customers and employees,” said Elena Zhuravleva, marketing and sales representative, DuPont Science & Technology. “It helped build understanding of key market trends and potential prospects to drive growth in the region.”

A new brochure from Sherwin-Williams describes the systems and services available for finishers in the Asia-Pacific Region. The six-page, color brochure explains how Sherwin-Williams is poised to meet the coating needs of manufacturers with facilities in the Asia-Pacific region through operations in Shanghai and southern China. Sherwin-Williams serves OEMs and finishers in the Asia-Pacific region in industries such as residential and office furniture, electronics, heavy equipment, kitchen cabinets, wood, composites, and metal building products. The company is focused on global expansion, employing more than 30,000 people across 3,000 worldwide locations. Please send inquiries to: Asia Brochure (SWCC1306) The Sherwin-Williams Company, c/o Ultimate Lead Systems, P.O. Box 739, Berea, OH, 44017; or call (800) 524-5979.

- 28 March 2008 -
In brief...Nissan Motor Company Ltd. has announced it will issue its Green Procurement Guidelines in April, which will define a set of environmental protocols to augment the Nissan-Renault Purchasing Way. The guidelines will apply to all global parts and materials suppliers. The newly-issued Nissan Green Procurement Guideline replaces a previous set of standards issued in 2001. The new document includes guidelines for reducing substances that affect the environment, adhering to Green Procurement Guidelines through Tier 2 or upstream suppliers, and management of auto parts and materials supplied to Nissan-related companies. This management will include changes in methodology of parts and materials data management, and data reporting on CO₂ emissions in the parts manufacturing process. In anticipation of more stringent regulations in the future, Nissan is working to reduce or eradicate the use of certain substances in all new models, including heavy-metal compounds such as mercury, lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and in-cabin volatile organic compounds. Nissan will monitor the performance of its suppliers to ensure that they are in compliance with the guidelines set.

Columbia Chemicals, the Brunswick, Ohio–based firm specializing in zinc plating additives and processes, recently announced it has acquired a 25% stake in Metalite Chemicals, Foshan, China. Metalite, a long-time Columbia partner, specializes in environmentally friendly products for the Chinese market. For more information, please visit www.columbiachemical.com.

Xiom Corp., developers and manufacturers of the first completely portable plastic polymer spray system, has named Orica Powder & Industrial Coatings of Australia its sole Pacific & Southeast Asian distributor. With operations in approximately 50 countries, the Orica group is a multi-billion dollar company with sales revenue of $5 billion in 2007. The publicly listed Australian company is a market leader in mining services, chemical services, and powder coating materials. Xiom, in addition to its portable powder coating system, has a complete line of unique mixed polymer coatings that are used with the Xiom low-temperature thermal spray system. With no overspray problems and no VOCs, Xiom’s products are now being used for onsite coating application in more than 20 countries. Xiom and Orica Powder & Industrial Coatings will also jointly—both logistically and technically—extend Xiom/Orica product offerings to other areas in the world in addition to the Pacific and Southeast Asia where it is deemed advantageous to do so. In this regard, Andrew Mazzone, president of Xiom, also reports that Xiom has granted Orica an exclusive “stand-still” review period of 180 days to examine Xiom, its technology, and current alliances. The stand-still agreement is independent of, and not conditional on, the appointment of Orica Powder & Industrial Coatings as Xiom's exclusive Pacific and Southeast Asian distributor.

- 14 March 2008 -
In brief...Global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company has announced the opening of a new manufacturing plant in Nansha, in the Guangzhou province of China. The facility will manufacture specialty acrylate monomers and oligomers used as raw materials in products such as paints, inks, coatings, adhesives, circuit boards, flooring, CDs, and DVDs. Sartomer will sell materials manufactured at the new plant to customers in Asia, Europe, and the United States. The entire facility mirrors Sartomer’s plant in Chatham, Va. The new plant includes lab space, offices, and conference rooms and features integrated computer-based technology for process monitoring and control. The site also features state-of-the-art emergency response capabilities and a Modern Safety Management system. It will employ about 100 people when fully staffed.

Chennai-based Nippon Paint India Pvt. Ltd. has come out with a new odorless, premium-quality interior emulsion paint. According to Ramakanth V. Akula, the company’s vice president, the paint contains near-zero VOCs and boasts a matte finish. Nippon says the paint will be marketed through the firm’s 90 exclusive stores and 60 multi-brand outlets in the region, with plans to double that number this year. Nippon, which entered South India in mid-2006, has plans to extend operations to Gujarat in April. Seventy-five percent of the company's revenue comes from decoratives, while the remainder is for industrial purposes.

Akzo Nobel NV, the world's largest maker of paints, said fourth-quarter 2007 earnings increased 42% on sales of house paints and chemicals used in the paper and pulp industry. Earnings before interest and tax increased to 174 million euros from 122 million euros ($269 million and $189 million, respectively), the Amsterdam-based company said in a statement. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 2% to 2.4 billion euros ($3.7 billion) led by the chemicals division, which gained 12% and increased selling prices by 4%. Revenue from chemicals rose 7% on higher prices and volumes, led by papermaking and surfacing. Meanwhile, coatings sales rose 3%. Pretax profit for the division improved to 9.4% of sales on changes in branding and reduced production expenses.

BASF AG has reached an agreement for INEOS Nitriles to buy the Seal Sands site of BASF plc on Teesside in the United Kingdom. The Seal Sands site operates large-scale production facilities for acrylonitrile, AN, adipodinitrile, ADN, and hexamethylenediamine (HMD), among others. These chemical intermediates are used in the production of acrylic and polyamide (PA) fibers for clothing and carpets, as well as for acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and PA plastics for the automotive, electric, and electronics and domestic appliance industries. BASF plc has approximately 240 employees at the site; an additional 250 people are employed by contractors. All BASF plc personnel will be transferred to INEOS Nitriles, which will also take over existing contracts, supply, and service arrangements. The acquisition is conditional on approval by the relevant competition authorities. Financial terms were not disclosed.

- 29 February 2008 -
In brief...MetoKote Corporation, Inc., an industry leader in protective coating applications—including electrocoat (e-coat), powder coat, and liquid paint—has named Martha Horner sales account manager. Prior to joining MetoKote, Horner spent seven years as an account manager of Industrial Coatings Mexico at PPG Industries de Mexico for the San Luis Potosi, Queretaro, Silao, Aguascalientes, and Guadalajara regions. She earned her B.S. in chemical engineering from the University of Guadalajara. The appointment coincides with MetoKote’s installation of equipment in its new San Luis Potosi, Mexico Regional Coating Service Center, scheduled for start of production in April, 2008. Horner’s responsibilities for MetoKote will be to act as the primary liaison with current and future customers for this facility.

PPG Industries, Inc., the world’s second-largest paint maker, plans to close some European factories acquired with the company’s recent purchase of SigmaKalon Group BV (MFW, Jan. 4, 2008). Company principals say the move is designed to meet cost-saving targets. According to Jack Maurer, a spokesman for Pittsburgh-based PPG, the as-yet unidentified paint plants will be shut down by 2010 to help attain savings equal to 3–5% of SigmaKalon’s sales. Savings also will come from bulk raw-material purchases and cutting administrative expenses in Europe, he said. PPG, led by chief executive officer Charles Bunch, bought SigmaKalon for $3.25 billion on Jan. 2 from Bain Capital LLC to double sales of coatings, its largest business, in Europe.

- 22 February 2008 -
In brief...BASF Coatings Japan intends to step up marketing activities for its Onyx HD waterborne paint system for automotive refinishing. The Yokohama-based company, part of Germany's BASF group, plans to strengthen its provision of technical support by further developing its Certified Trainers System for automotive-refinish coatings, and to make product presentations at dealer meetings. In addition, it aims to promptly support its customers by providing a series of training courses, ranging from seminars to practical exercises for basecoat and topcoat applications. Onyx HD offers the advantage of reduced environmental burden without the need to change existing work processes. Compared with conventional solvent-borne products, it contains 80% less volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and discharges 90% less waste after use according to BASF.

Rohm and Haas Company recently announced a worldwide price increase of up to 10% across its range of ion exchange resins, adsorbents, and catalysts. The increase will be effective March 1, 2008, or as contracts permit. In making the announcement, Kim Ann Mink, vice president and global general manager, ion exchange resins, stated the increase is needed to cover the continued escalation of raw materials, energy, and freight costs.

- 15 February 2008 -
In brief...The Sherwin-Williams Co. recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Liquid Coatings Subsidiaries of Inchem Holdings of Inchem Holdings International Limited, Singapore. Inchem specializes in waterborne, solvent-based, and ultraviolet (UV) curable coatings for electronics, wood and plastic products. Inchem, which will become part of Sherwin-Williams’ Chemical Coatings Division, has more than 400 employees across its four manufacturing plants with sales of approximately $30 million.

Martinrea International Inc. , one of Canada’s largest automotive parts facilities, plans to close a frame plant in Kitchener, Ontario, in 2009. The closure will result in the elimination of 1,200 jobs. Rob Wildeboer, the company’s chairman, cites several factors: The high value of the Canadian dollar, high transportation costs to a General Motors Corp. plant in Ohio (the Kitchener plant's main customer), falling production volumes at the GM plant, and higher wages and benefits at the Martinrea plant relative to other facilities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Martinrea took over the Kitchener facility and 12 others in the United States and Mexico as part of the purchase of the North American automotive metal-forming assets of ThyssenKrupp AG in 2006. That deal more than doubled the size of the company to an estimated $2 billion in revenue last year, turning Martinrea from a mainly Canada-focused parts maker to a company with operations in the growing vehicle production areas of the southeast U.S. and Mexico.

The planned Kitchener closing is the latest in a series of shutdowns impacting communities in the auto-making heartland of Southern Ontario. The most recent major announcement came earlier this month, when Windsor, Ontario-based Nemak—which employees 600—announced plans to shut its Essex Aluminum Plant. The city also witnessed the closure of facilities owned by Ford Motor Co. and Lear Corp. The latest jobs data as of the end of November, 2007, show that more than 11,000 parts industry jobs have disappeared since this decade's peak of auto parts employment of 98,894 people in 2001.

- 08 February 2008 -
In brief...The Canadian Paint & Coatings Association (CPCA) has been meeting regularly with Environment Canada about the proposed VOC regulations concerning conversion to compliant products. The association has been urging Environment Canada, the country’s governing regulatory agency, to harmonize Canada’s regulations with those of Europe and the U.S., particularly California. The parties are negotiating a timeline for implementation, most likely early 2010.

A recent report by Bloomberg News shows the barrage of snowstorms in eastern, central, and southern China has vastly reduced the supply of coal to Chinese power-generating stations. The storms have knocked out electricity, reduced supply to major aluminum and zinc smelters, and are negatively impacting many industrial operations. China is the world’s largest producer of both aluminum and zinc but production has suddenly been cut back because of the severe weather, raising prices and the prospects for producers in other parts of the world. Zhuzhou Smelter Group Co., China’s largest zinc smelter, has cut production because of the power shortages. (China’s annual aluminum production of roughly 12.6 million tons will be reduced by 300,000 tons because of the smelter shutdowns, according to Beijing Antaike Information Development Co., a metals consulting firm.)

- 16 January 2008 -
In brief...Bollig & Kemper, a German manufacturer of coatings for the European auto industry, has signed a license agreement for DuPont EcoConcept, a patented coatings technology that enables auto manufacturers to realize substantial reductions in energy use, environmental emissions and capital costs. (EcoConcept eliminates one complete coating layer, the primer-surfacer, and combines it into a single environmentally compliant water-based basecoat. As a result, a spray booth and curing oven are eliminated from the auto production line.) Under the license agreement, the Cologne-based paint maker will manufacture and sell water-based basecoats for use in the EcoConcept process at automotive manufacturing plants in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. DuPont EcoConcept technology currently is used at two Volkswagen plants in Mexico and Spain. Approximately 200,000 cars have been produced using the process.

Rohm and Haas Co. officially launched the initial operations of its new manufacturing plant in Sanshui, Guangdong Province, China. The company has invested $10 million in the site, which will make products based on acrylic emulsion technology. The new plant has more than 20,000 metric tons of capacity and will produce water-based binders and emulsions used to make consumer paints and coatings. Sanshui also produces polyacrylic acid-dispersant products used in detergents and mining applications.

- 12 November 2007-
PPG to Invest $50 Million in Tianjin Facility
Leading coatings manufacturer PPG Industries Inc said it will spend $50 million to expand output to 100,000 tons a year at its Tianjin plant. The company plans to expand the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Area (TEDA) facility from 40,000 to 100,000 square meters to meet the nation's growing demand for automotive and industrial coatings...more

-12 November 2007-
In brief…Shareholders of U.K.-based Imperial Chemical Industries PLC voted overwhelmingly last week to sell the company to a Dutch counterpart, Akzo Nobel NV, for 8 billion pounds ($16 million). The vote was approved by about 93% of the company's shareholders in London, far above the 75% required to approve the acquisition, ICI said in a statement. With the acquisition, Akzo Nobel will become the world's biggest paint and coatings company, holding 14% market share, analysts said.

- 19 October 2007 -
In brief...BASF earlier this week inaugurated a customer center for automotive technology in Shanghai, China. At this new center, BASF chemists and engineers plan to optimize and develop new applications in close cooperation with customers as well as offer training programs in process technology.

- 19 October 2007 -
In brief... More than 210 exhibitors from 12 countries participated at the 5th parts2clean Convention, which took place for the first time at the new Stuttgart Exhibition Centre, October 9-11, 2007. There were 3,813 people in attendance at this year’s show, an increase of 35%.

- 05 October 2007 -
In brief...Top executives and professionals in the metalforming industry viewed the latest advancements in press and forming technologies, assembly automation and value-added services at METALFORM Mexico—the country’s only focused metal stamping and fabricating exposition and conference.  Held September 25-27, 2007, at the Cintermex in Monterrey, the fourth edition of METALFORM Mexico featured 179 exhibitors offering equipment and services designed to help companies improve productivity and efficiency. 

- 11 October 2007 -
PPG Industries to Acquire Dutch Coatings Producer
PPG Industries, Inc. has agreed to purchase SigmaKalon Group, a Dutch paint and coatings producer, from Boston-based Bain Capital, a private equity firm. According to PPG, the deal will help the company expand operations in Europe and Asia...more

- 05 October 2007 -
In brief...Akzo Nobel has sold its share in the passenger car coatings activities of Kemipol in Turkey. No financial details were disclosed. According to the company, the move is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to focus on growing and strengthening its core businesses.

- 05 October 2007 -
In brief... Rohm and Haas has launched TianBa(TM) 2000, a new coatings product that has been developed to meet the needs of Chinese customers. According to the company, TianBa(TM) 2000 is the new generation flexible acrylic copolymer with broad applicability for use in cement-based and non-cement-based waterproof coatings, flexible plastering mortar for thermal insulation systems, external flexible putties, ceramic tile adhesives, and mortar repair. Extensive studies demonstrate that TianBa(TM) 2000 has better waterproofing, flexibility, and alkali resistance than similar existing products. TianBa(TM) 2000 is environmentally advanced technology, which is low-odor and low in volatile organic compounds.

- 14 September 2007 -
MetoKote Taps GM for Asia/Pacific Rim
MetoKote Corporation, Inc., an industry leader in protective coating applications services such as electrocoating (e-coat), powder coating and liquid paint, has named Jinsong Lin general manager, Asia/Pacific Rim...more

 - 14 September 2007 -
In brief...BASF AG’s chief financial officer, Kurt Bock, said the company plans to invest close to 11 billion euros ($15.2 billion)between 2007 and 2011, pointing to the increase of production capacity for insulating materials at its Ludwigshafen headquarters, as well as an expansion of its facilities in Nanjing, China. Likewise, the company predicted continued consolidation in the chemical industry. Analysts say BASF gained about 13 billion euros ($18 billion) in sales through its acquisitions over the past 10 years, but the company had also sold off businesses with about 11 billion euros in sales in the same period.

 - 14 September 2007 -
In brief...Hannover Messe International GmbH, organizers of the Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show—slated for Nov. 6 – 10 in Shanghai, China—predicts record-breaking attendance. The event, now in its eighth year, features more than 500 international vendors spanning three exhibition halls. The Metalworking and CNC Machine Tool Show is billed as the premier international showcase for Asia's booming metal industry. Total 2006 machine tool imports valued at $7.24 billon, making China the world's biggest importer of machine tools over the past five years. CNC machining centers account for about 73.4 percent of that total, which translates to a 19% upswing in CNC sales to China.

- 31 August 2007 -
In brief...BASF AG announced it is raising prices in Europe for coating resins by up to 15%-- depending on the product line—to offset higher costs for raw materials, energy and transportation. The price increase affects the entire coatings resins portfolio, which comprises resins used in the automotive, wood and industrial coatings markets.

- 31 August 2007 -
In brief... PPG Industries, a leading U.S. plate glass and coating producer, earlier this week opened a research center in Suzhou city, Jiangsu Province.
 
- 31 August 2007 -
In brief...The Hong Kong Auto Parts Industry Association will present the Dongguan International Exhibition for Auto Parts & Accessories, Technology and Materials for Auto Manufacturing Industries 2007 October 18-21. The event will will be staged at Guangdong Modern International Exhibition Center , the manufacturing base of China. The event is also highly recognized for its marketing competent, which is jointly organised by Hong Kong Electro-plating Merchants Association, Dongguan Automotive Parts Trade Association and Dongguan Automobile Service Profession Association, and supported by more than 10 globally renowned trade associations in Automotive and Auto Parts industry.

- 24 August 2007 -
China’s Industrial Production Rises By Double Digits in July; Government Seeks to Keep Growth in Check
China's industrial production rose 18% in July, according to information provided by the Statistics Bureau. This on the heels of an economic expansion of 11.9% in the second quarter, the fastest pace in 12 years...more

- 20 July 2007 -
Paint supplier PPG Industries Inc., has offered to buy Dutch coatings producer SigmaKalon Group from private investment firm Bain Capital. PPG put the value of the bid at 2.2 billion euros ($3.04 billion), including assumed debt. Additional details on the bid were not provided. Bain Capital, which acquired SigmaKalon in 2003, has granted PPG a period of exclusivity and plans to respond after discussing the offer with employee representatives, PPG said. Any deal would be subject to regulatory and other closing conditions. SigmaKalon had revenue of about 2 billion euros ($2.76 billion) in 2006, PPG said.

Cytec Industries says it will increase global capacity of its Crylcoat powder coating resins by 20,000 m.t./year over the course of this year, bringing its total capacity to 200,000 m.t./year. The increase will be achieved through debottlenecking projects at its facilities at Romano, Italy; Fenxiang, China; and Rayong, Thailand. "This investment is especially strategic in supporting the growth in emerging markets, including China, the Mideast, and Eastern Europe," said Wim Vanderghinste, global business director/powder coatings at Cytec.

- 13 July 2007 -
DuPont has announced the opening of its second office in Russia (St. Petersburg). The new location, which follows significant expansions of the company's offices in Moscow and Kiev in the Ukraine — as well as the launch of an office in Almaty, Kazakhstan — will focus specifically on strengthening the company's relationships with and support for the automotive industry. "DuPont has had a presence in Russia for more than 30 years," said Ian Hudson, president, DuPont Europe, Middle East and Africa. "The company's innovative solutions, materials and technologies are widely applied in Russia's leading industries, including oil and gas, automotive, medical, agriculture and construction. Eastern Europe is a critical growth area for us as we expand our market reach." Russia 's northwest region has seen rapid growth in the automotive industry in recent years. Boasting highly qualified manpower, low production costs and robust economic growth rates, this region has been steadily attracting domestic and foreign automotive manufacturers as well as their suppliers. According to analysts, continued growth is expected in the industry, with financial turnover expanding at an annual rate of almost 7% until 2010.

Chemicals group Akzo Nobel has invested 13 million euro in a powder paint factory close to Moscow while expanding its Russian sales outlets. The new facility is situated in the industrial belt surrounding Moscow at Orekhovo-Zuevo and is Akzo Nobel’s first production plant in Russia. The company hopes to capture the Central and Eastern European market for industrial coatings, of which Russia has a 46% share. As well as recently expanding its site at Opava in the Czech Republic—the first phase of a five million Euro refurbishment— Powder Coatings has also inaugurated a dedicated state-of-the-art distribution warehouse in Poland, while another warehouse has been established in Hungary.

China's industrial-company profits swelled 42.1% in the first five months from a year earlier, hampering government efforts to cool investment in the world's fastest-growing major economy. Combined net income increased to 902.6 billion yuan ($119 billion), the National Bureau of Statistics reported this week. Sales jumped 27.4% to 14.2 trillion yuan. Premier Wen Jiabao is trying to prevent a rebound in factory investment that would increase the risk of overcapacity. Besides curbs on bank lending, the government has ordered state companies to start paying dividends to trim the money available for investment. China has also tightened project approvals, curbed land use, increased energy costs, and cut export rebates. The central bank has raised interest rates twice this year. Source: Bloomberg News

In support of the new REACH legislation, which went into effect June 1, the Oil and Colour Chemists' Association (OCCA) and ATIPIC (Belgian Association of Technicians in the Paint and Associated Industries) with the support of NVVT (Dutch Society of Coating Specialists) and FSCT (Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology) have planned a joint conference in Brussels on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007, at the Hotel Bedford, 135-137 rue du Midi. According to the associations, REACH is the most significant legislation that the chemical and chemical using industries have faced for many years and will have a major impact upon those manufacturing in and importing chemicals into the EU, with significant consequences for the operations of downstream users of chemicals such as paint, printing ink and artists' colours manufacturers. For more details, please visit www.occa.org.uk or www.surfex.net.

- 15 June 2007 -
Specialty chemical supplier Sartomer Co. has appointed Laurent Suspene, former general manager of Sartomer Europe, as its new vice president in Asia. Since 2003, Suspene has been general manager, photocure and functional additives, for the Sartomer Europe Division of Cray Valley, based in Paris. Suspene joined Cray Valley in 1988 as a research scientist. Since then he has worked as a technical director and managing director in multiple locations, including Malaysia, Korea, and Spain. He also worked in the United States as a technical director with Cook Composites and Polymers, Kansas City, Mo. He earned a doctorate in Macromolecular Science in 1988 from INSA (National Institute of Applied Sciences, Lyon, France). Suspene replaces David Long, who was assigned new responsibilities within the TOTAL group. Philippe Thepot takes over Suspene’s previous responsibilities.

Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials celebrates the official opening of its new five-story Chonan R&D Center in Korea. Part of the recent $30 million expansion of the company’s Microelectronic Technologies site in Chonan, the R&D center adds to Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials’ global advanced research and development capabilities for 193 nm photoresists as well as organic- and silicon-based anti-reflectants. “The acceleration of our research programs in Chonan begins here with this opening ceremony,” said Dr. Hoe-Sik Chung, president of the Microelectronic Technologies for Rohm and Haas Electronic Materials Korea, during the May 29 ceremony. “Coupled with our manufacturing capabilities of advanced products, the growing strength of our R&D infrastructure makes us well positioned to serve the semiconductor materials needs in this region.”

Akzo Nobel has increased its presence in the northern China market via the recent opening of a new Decorative Coatings site in the Langfang region. The site, which has been in pilot operation since February, will help the company meet increased demand and allow Decorative Coatings to further improve service to its customers in the north. Furthermore, it provides new jobs for more than 70 people, according to the company.

Columbia Chemical has appointed Ebara Udylite America, S. A., headquartered in Guadalajara, Mexico, to represent its products across north, central and western portions of Mexico. “Columbia is proud to be affiliated with Ebara Udylite's well-equipped and expertly staffed service lab,” said Columbia Chemical president Bill Rosenberg. Ebara Udylite’s team boasts 10 knowledgeable individuals, with decades of experience in the metal plating field. Raymundo Gonzalez, Ebara Udylite general manager, said his company has made inroads to some key zinc accounts because of Columbia's quality products and reasonable market pricing. “To date, Colzinc ACF-II and Extreme Acid Zinc processes are the most requested products in Mexico,” he said.

Chelyabinsk Zinc, Russia's largest zinc producer, has agreed to buy British zinc alloy supplier Brock Metal from Alumasc Group Plc for about $16.1 million. Chelyabinsk Zinc said in a statement the transaction was worth 0.35 million British pounds ($691,700), plus another 7.8 million pounds ($15.41 million) that equals the estimated working capital. The deal should be complete by the end of June. “We consider the acquisition of Brock Metal, a supplier of premium zinc alloys with a strong UK and European presence, as an opportunity for further downstream integration," said Sergei Moiseyev. Chelyabinsk Zinc chairman. He said all jobs at Brock Metal would remain secure and that the acquisition would boost Chelyabinsk's sales of value-added zinc alloys in Europe.

- 22 May 2007 -
Global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company has announced its plans to open a new technical center and office space in Yokohama, Japan, in December 2007. The new facility will include a research lab for developing new photocure materials for the electronics, plastics, optical media, and flat-panel display industries in Japan and Asia. The remaining space will be dedicated to meeting rooms and storage.

Akzo Nobel has reinforced its commitment to the Canadian market with the grand opening of the first corporate Sico Paints warehouse in the Western provinces. Based in Calgary, the 29,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility will service Sico’s 500-plus customers from Manitoba to British Columbia, distributing in excess of three million litres of paint annually. Sico is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Akzo Nobel, which develops, manufactures and markets innovative, high-quality products and services for most market segments.

China’s industrial output rose 17.4% in April after climbing 17.6% in March. Industrial production growth has accelerated this year after cooling in the final quarter of 2006, falling to a two-year low of 14.7% in October. For the first four months, output rose 18% from a year earlier. That activity is in line with the country’s spending on factories and property, which rose 29.6% in the first four months of last year. Meanwhile, exports jumped 26.8% in April, accelerating from the previous month, as the trade surplus swelled 63% from a year earlier to $16.9 billion. Banks extended 1.8 trillion yuan of new loans in the first four months—more than half the total for all last year. China's economy, the world's fourth largest, grew 10.7% in 2006, the biggest increase in 11 years.

- 10 May 2007 -
Rohm & Haas Unit Sale Completes Divestiture
Rohm and Haas has signed a definitive agreement to sell its European Automotive Coatings business, including its manufacturing site in Strullendorf, Germany, to the Mader Group, a leading independent manufacturer of hi-tech industrial paints and coatings based in Lille, France, with operations throughout Europe. The transaction is expected to close later this year...more

- 10 May 2007 -
Chinese Government Concerned about Country’s Rapid Industrial Growth
With its economy rapidly accelerating, China could experience challenges managing growth if its industrial output continues to speed up, according to an article published this week by The Shanghai Daily...more

- 10 May 2007 -
IN BRIEF…Akzo Nobel has signed an agreement to acquire the worldwide Ceilcote business from the German-based KCH Group for close to EUR 12 million ($16.25 million). Ceilcote, a major international brand used to coat concrete and steel structures—particularly in the petrochemical and power industries—specializes in high performance, polymer-based corrosion control solutions for both new construction and maintenance projects…BASF AG recently received the European Coatings Award 2007 for its new AQAGloss product. AGloss, a brand-new, dispersion-based binder for the manufacture of high-gloss water-based coatings, is positioned as an alternative to conventional solvent-based architectural coatings and complies with the stringent EU Directive 2004/42/EC.

- 20 April 2007 -
European Commission Initiates RoHS Review
The European Commission has initiated a review of its Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulation introduced in July 2006 to control hazardous substances used in the electronics industry. Experts say the review could lead to new controls on substances used in the electronics sector not currently restricted by RoHS and could also lead to a broadening of the legislation to other manufacturing sectors...more