Company News

Advanced Applied Adhesiveshas announced CAPLINQ Nederland as its sales representative for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Founded by Christopher Perabo, CAPLINQ replaces Norel, which has ceased operations.

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.

Applied Manufacturing Technologies Inc., Orion, MI, recently announced plans to open a new Midwest regional office located in St. Louis, MO. The new office will support the growing Midwest market as well as AMT’s key local customers.

Atlas Material Testing Technology, Chicago, IL, has established a new entity called Atlas Consulting Group. The new group will provide consulting for the design, implementation and evaluation of weather test programs. Other services will include optimization of weathering processes within a client’s organization and helping clients plan their own test labs and outdoor weathering testing facilities.

BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany, andThe 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, andSolvay S.A., Brussels, Belgium, will be a key supplier to the new facility.

CHEMCENTRAL AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, Ingleburn, New South Wales, Australia, has announced it is now representing the C.P. Hall Co. in Australia and New Zealand. The C.P. Hall Co. is a global supplier of performance additives to the Polymer and Personal Care industries. The company’s products are used extensively in rubber, plastics, adhesives and coatings, selected personal care, and specialized industrial applications.

Dow Polyurethanes, Midland, MI, has successfully completed preliminary development of natural oil polyols (NOPs) for urethane formulations and will begin product sampling with a select group of customers immediately. Dow plans to begin market development scale production of the next-generation polyols in 2007.

GEhas announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell GE Advanced Materials (Silicones & Quartz), Wilton, CT, to Apollo Management, L.P., a private investment firm, in a deal valued at approximately $3.8 billion in cash and securities. Upon completion of the transaction, GE will receive a 10% ownership stake in the new company and hold $400 million of notes. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, and is expected to occur before the end of 2006.

National Starch and Chemical Co.has announced the official opening of its expanded adhesives, synthetic polymers and electronic materials manufacturing facilities at its Salisbury, NC, plant. The new facilities add over 10,000 sq. ft. of production area to the existing Salisbury manufacturing site. More than 30 new employees have been hired to support the company’s expanded manufacturing capabilities.

OMNOVA Solutions, Fairlawn, OH, has entered into an agreement to sell its GenFlex Building Products business to Firestone Building Products Co, a division of BFS Diversified Products LLC. Total cash to be realized approximates $40 million, which includes $29 million in cash from the sale of the business and retention by OMNOVA of $10.5 million of existing GenFlex trade accounts receivable.

RPM International Inc., Medina, OH, has announced that its StonCor Group has acquired 14.99% of the outstanding shares of Kemrock Industries & Exports Ltd., a $20 million, fully integrated fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) composites manufacturer based in Vadodara, Gujarat State, India. Terms were not disclosed.

Saiden Technologies, a manufacturer of specialty polymers, adhesives and coatings, has announced the expansion of its Sanford, NC, facility, which will provide a 20% increase in raw material handling capability and a 30% increase in finished product storage. The project is expected to be completed in December of 2006.

Stahl Coatings and Fine Chemicals (Suzhou) Co. Ltd.celebrated the grand opening of its new $18 million manufacturing facility in Suzhou, China, on Sept. 8. Over 500 invited guests from China and Southeast Asia attended the event.

People

Henkel Corp., Irvine, CA, has announced the appointment ofJason Brandito the position of global product manager for Phase Change and Thermal Adhesives where he will be responsible for both the introduction of new technologies and the optimization of the current product line worldwide.

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

Sartomer Co. has appointedBrian Kendallplant manager of its Chatom, AL, facility. Kendall assumes responsibility for all plant operations and reports directly toEdward J. Ogle, who was recently named manager of metallic monomer manufacturing.

Tremco Commercial Sealants & Waterproofing, Beachwood, OH, has promotedBob Melocheto 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.