Company News

The United States District Court in Minnesota has reaffirmed the favorable judgment won by3Mand 3M Innovative Properties Co. (a wholly owned subsidiary of 3M) in a patent infringement lawsuit against Avery Dennison Corp. involving pressure-activated adhesives for large-format graphics. The court denied Avery Dennison’s post-trial motions seeking to set aside last December’s jury verdict in favor of 3M. The court affirmed the jury’s findings that 3M’s patent is valid and infringed by Avery Dennison’s EZ series fleet marking film. The court also affirmed that the permanent injunction prohibiting sales of Avery Dennison’s EZ series fleet marking film is appropriate and remains in effect.

BASF, Charlotte, NC, has announced plans to invest $4.9 million in its acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility in Monaca, PA, to increase its capability to produce coater-ready adhesives. The project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2007.

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, Middleboro, MA, has announced the creation of a loan program in which LFRA Texture Analyzers are available to universities with Food Science programs. The instruments are loaned specifically for the purpose of conducting food science research with the expectation that results will be published in technical journals, trade journals and/or presented at technical conferences. The goal of this program is to identify applications where food texture research can be brought to the commercial marketplace, resulting in improved product quality and consistency.

Cargill, Minneapolis, has announced plans to commercialize a proprietary process for using glycerin – an abundant, low-cost co-product of biodiesel production – as feedstock for a platform of biobased products, beginning with renewable propylene glycol (PG). Through a new company being formed, the venture will provide commercially competitive PG from renewable feedstocks manufactured in multiple geographies.

CHEMCENTRAL, Bedford Park, IL, has been named the sole U.S. distributor for Rohm and Haas; North American Architectural and Functional Coatings business, effective Jan. 1, 2007. CHEMCENTRAL will represent Rohm and Haas in the U.S. for the distribution of emulsion products while continuing to be the U.S. rep for Rohm and Haas’ Paraloid™ product line.

Dampney Company Inc., Everett, MA, has purchased the assets ofAlvin Products Inc.of Lawrence, MA, manufacturer of Lab-metal repair and patching compounds since 1950. The joining of the two manufacturers will expand Dampney’s reach, bringing innovative industrial repair products, specialty paints and high-temperature protective coatings to new markets worldwide.

DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise, Wilmington, DE, has appointed ChemPoint, Bellevue, WA, as a national distributor for one of its major cleaning and descaling products, Glycolic Acid 70% Technical Grade. DuPont’s Clean and Disinfect Team selected ChemPoint for distribution privileges in the U.S. because of its track record for achieving targeted growth and for their outstanding reputation in the chemical solutions industry.

OMNOVA Solutions, Fairlawn, OH, has announced the completion of the sale of its GenFlex Building Products business to Firestone Building Products Co., a division of BFS Diversified Products LLC. OMNOVA is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals and decorative and functional surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential end uses.

Saiden Technologies, a manufacturer of specialty polymers, adhesives and coatings has announced the expansion of its facility located in Sanford, NC, which will allow for a 20% increase in raw material handling capability and a 30% increase in finished product storage. The expansion will allow the company to both expand its product lines and improve its ability to serve bulk customers.

People

RPM International Inc., Medina, OH, has announced thatKenneth M. Armstronghas joined the company as director of environmental, health and safety. RPM also promotedKarin J. Owento manager, corporate secretarial and legal services;Melissa A. Curzito senior corporate financial analyst;Edward Corbettto director, global taxes; andJane M. Krivosto research and development/energy analyst.

Westech Aerosol Corp., Seattle, WA, has appointedScott Bobrowto the position of regional sales representative for its Northeast region. Bobrow will be responsible for introducing new products as well as maintaining key client relationships.

Philip Calderbankhas been named director of marketing for Avery Dennison Retail Information Services (RIS) – RFID & Security, Westlake Village, CA. In his new role, Calderbank will be responsible for Avery Dennison RIS’ worldwide strategy for RFID and security products.

BASF, Florham Park, NJ, has appointedTom Chizmadiavice president of Corporate Communications. In this role, Chizmadia is responsible for all of BASF’s communications strategy and activities in North America, including advertising, marketing communications, media relations, events, community relations, employee communications, and brand management.

TROY Corp. has announced the appointment ofDr. Izzy Colonas general manager for its operations in Europe. In his new role, Colon will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s operations in Europe, including profit/loss. In addition, he will work with specific business Unit managers to develop and achieve business objectives.

Brian Contriscianehas been named technical sales representative for Sartomer Co., Exton, PA. Contrisciane is responsible for developing and maintaining new and future accounts in the New England region. He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in marketing from Millersville University, Millersville, PA.

Michelman has announced the hiring ofChristophe Maertensin the new position of laboratory supervisor at the company’s Aubange, Belgium, facility. The addition of Maertens is expected to enhance customer technical service through streamlined project management and improved communication across the company’s global technology team.

Bob Meiklehas been named finance leader for Dow Automotive, Auburn Hills, MI, with responsibility for business finance support leadership to the global organization. Most recently, Meikle was a senior finance manager in Dow’s Strategic Planning & Business Analysis Group.

Deacom Inc., Wayne, PA, has promotedSusan Shawto director of Marketing. Shaw joined the company in August of 2005 as marketing coordinator with a background in the process manufacturing industry. In her new position, she will lead all marketing initiatives for Deacom, including marketing communications, market development and sales support.

NETZSCH Fine Particle Technology LLC, Exton, PA, has promotedFrank Warburgto national sales manager, U.S. and Canada, wherein he is responsible for growing the customer base for the company’s grinding division. Warburg’s primary objective is to improve customer relationships by creating and managing a knowledgeable sales force to provide technical solutions that enhance operations for NETZSCH customers.