DOW BIOCIDES NAMES LITTEL MATERIAL PROTECTION GLOBAL MARKET MANAGER

Kenneth Littel was recently named global marketing manager of Material Protection for Dow Biocides, a business group of The Dow Chemical Co. and its affiliates. In his new position, Littel is responsible for leading the marketing strategy development and implementation of biocides for materials protection, including paint and coatings, building materials, emulsion polymers, inks, pigment slurries, adhesives, wood products, and personal care products.

“Ken brings vast knowledge of microbiology and diversified Dow experience as marketing manager,” said Mark Henning, ANGUS CEO and general manager for Dow Biocides. “We’re confident Ken will contribute a unique industry perspective in educating and leading his team.”

Littel joined Dow Biocides in 1988 while working as a product manager for biocides in coatings, adhesives, paper and lubricant industries. Since then, he has played various roles within Dow, including market development manager and international director of sales and marketing for India, where he managed pharmaceutical intermediate sales. Most recently, Littel worked as a senior manager for new business development, conducting exploratory market investigations to identify and commercialize significant new business platforms.

For more information, visit www.dowbiocides.com.

RPM HIRES KRAMER AS VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

RPM International, Medina, OH, has announced that John F. Kramer has joined the company as vice president, Corporate Development. Kramer will work with the corporate team and RPM’s operating companies to develop their acquisition growth strategies, and will assist in executing these initiatives in support of RPM’s overall acquisition program. He will report to Stephen J. Knoop, senior vice president, Corporate Development.

Kramer previously served as senior corporate counsel with The Sherwin-Williams Co., where he was employed for more than 11 years and held a variety of legal positions. During his tenure with Sherwin-Williams, Kramer was the primary general corporate legal counsel for its international divisions and managed the legal aspects of its international acquisitions and divestitures.

“John’s extensive international experience, particularly with acquisitions and divestitures, will serve RPM well as we accelerate our global growth initiatives,” said Frank C. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer of RPM. “We’re pleased to add him to our team.”

For more information, visit www.rpminc.com.

WACKER TO ACQUIRE AIR PRODUCTS' STAKE IN CONSTRUCTION POLYMERS JOINT VENTURES

Wacker Chemie AG, Munich, Germany, recently announced plans to acquire full ownership of Air Products Polymers (APP) and Wacker Polymer Systems (WPS), its two joint ventures with Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Lehigh Valley, PA. The closing of the transaction, which is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities, is expected in the first quarter of 2008.

As part of the agreement, Wacker retains the Vinyl Acetate Ethylene (VAE) activities of the joint venture, while Air Products will receive full ownership in the Elkton, MD, and Piedmont, SC, production facilities and their related businesses, plus cash considerations of $265 million. With approval, the transaction would contribute substantially to further develop Wacker’s polymer business to around €1 billion in sales in 2008.

For more information, visit www.wacker.com.