AKZO NOBEL ACQUIRES FLOOD COMPANY

Akzo Nobel, Arnhem, the Netherlands, has announced its acquisition of The Flood Company of Hudson, OH. Grace Matthews, a Milwaukee-based investment bank, advised Akzo Nobel on the transaction. "We were engaged to help Akzo Nobel build its Sikkens wood care business in the U.S., and Flood was at the top of our list," explained Grace Matthews Managing Director John Beagle. "By marrying the global tradition of Akzo and its Sikkens business with the family tradition of Flood and its products, we were able to help create the leading U.S. wood care business."

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

BASF, DOW AND SOLVAY PARTNERSHIP INNOVATES HPPO TECHNOLOGY IN ANTWERP

BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI, have launched a long-term venture to produce propylene oxide (PO) at the world's first commercial-scale hydrogen peroxide propylene oxide (HPPO) plant at BASF's site in Antwerp, Belgium. The plant will use a new technology developed jointly by BASF and Dow, and Solvay S.A., Brussels, Belgium, will be a key supplier to the new facility. The innovative process technology offers a number of benefits over conventional routes to PO, including better economics, environmental improvements and flexibility for locating new plants. The HPPO plant will be fed with hydrogen (HP) from a second new plant at the Antwerp site. The HP plant will have a capacity of 230,000 metric tons per year and will be constructed by Solvay, BASF, and Dow. The 300,000 metric tons per year HPPO plant, which is being built jointly by BASF and Dow, is scheduled to start up in early 2008.

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

HENKEL NAMED MOST SUSTAINABLE CONSUMER GOODS COMPANY

In the Corporate Responsibility Rating of the Munich, Germany-based agency oekom research, Henkel has been recognized as the most sustainable among the world's top 11 stock-quoted consumer goods manufacturers. On a scale of A+ to D-, Henkel scored an overall rating of B. This comprehensive analysis is based on ecological and social indicators. In five of six overarching categories, such as "Products and Services" and "Eco-Efficiency," Henkel was rated "best in class" within its sector. "We are delighted at this renewed excellent rating of our sustainability and corporate responsibility performance," said Dr. Wolfgang Gawrisch, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Research/Technology and Chairman of the Henkel Sustainability Council. "The results confirm our commitment to assuming responsibility wherever Henkel operates. We contribute to society through our brands and technologies, while always striving to harmonize economic, ecological, and social objectives."

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

HOCKMEYER EQUIPMENT ANNOUNCES NEW REPRESENTATIVES

Hockmeyer Equipment Corp., Harrison, NJ, has named Daniyel Firestone of Norstone, Inc., Wyncote, PA, as its new equipment representative for Eastern Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, New York City and Long Island. Brian Leavitt of Process Innovations, Dartmouth, MA, was appointed equipment rep for Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Eastern New York.

For more information, e-mail sales@hockmeyer.com or call (252) 338-4705.

SARTOMER NAMES NEW PLANT MANAGER

Sartomer Co. has appointed Brian Kendall plant manager of its Chatom, AL, facility. Kendall assumes responsibility for all plant operations and reports directly to Edward J. Ogle, who was recently named manager of metallic monomer manufacturing. Sartomer's Chatom facility manufactures metallic monomers, which are used in coatings, inks, adhesives, composites and elastomer applications.

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

TREMCO PROMOTES MELOCHE TO EASTERN DIVISION SALES MANAGER

Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing, Beachwood, OH, has promoted Bob Meloche to Eastern Division sales manager. In his new role, Meloche will be responsible for managing three regions in the eastern United States, including three managers and 23 sales representatives. Meloche began his career at Tremco in 1981 as a sales representative, and in 1988 he became a regional manager for the Midwest Region. A graduate of Michigan State University, he received a bachelor's of science degree in Finance and a minor in Psychology.

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