LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. — Air Products and Chemicals Inc. announced the formation of a new Performance Materials Division, combining its technology and market-leadership strengths in specialty surfactants, vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions, specialty amines and curatives. The Performance Materials Division will move into new higher-growth markets while increasing its penetration into the adhesives, coatings, automotive and construction markets. Additionally, the division will provide technical, applications and product-development support for other Air Products performance-materials initiatives, such as those in its Electronics Division.

“The driving force behind the formation of the Performance Materials Division is to capitalize on Air Products’ unique combination of gas and chemicals skills,” said John McGlade, vice president and general manager, Performance Materials, for Air Products. “We see significant, untapped opportunities in performance and advanced materials that play to our strengths.”

The Performance Materials Division initially will consist of the following three businesses:

• Performance Products, uniting Air Products’ Polyurethane Additives, Epoxy Additives and Specialty Amines businesses.

• Performance Polymers, focusing on Airflex® VAE (vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers) emulsions.

• Performance Solutions, combining Air Products’ existing Specialty Additives product lines with new high-performance additives and solutions.

For more information, visit http://www.airproducts.com.