Industry News

ACA Submits Comments on California's Draft Green Chemistry Regulation
July 22, 2010
On July 14, ACA submitted comments to California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) Office of Legislation & Regulatory Policy on its Draft Regulation for Safer Consumer Products, which stages a key component of the state's 2008 Green Chemistry Initiative law to create a system to regulate chemicals in consumer products.

ACA Participates in Briefing with Congressional Staff on TSCA Modernization
July 22, 2010
ACA staff on July 16 participated in a briefing for the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee's staff group on modernization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Congress and EPA Move to Reinstate Old Superfund Tax
July 22, 2010
There is growing interest in Congress and the Obama Administration to reinstate the Superfund Tax.

ACA Participates in Proactive Meeting with United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) on Lead Activities
July 22, 2010
The United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) recently approved a new alliance initiative under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) aimed at promoting curtailment of the use of lead in paints.

NOF Corporation Unifies Name of Its Anti-Corrosion Coatings Businesses
July 22, 2010
The NOF Corporation, with several business divisions, including an anti-corrosion coatings division, announced that it has changed the company names of its worldwide group of anti-corrosion coatings companies.

Rockwood Holdings and the Electrification Coalition Support Introduction of Senate and House Bills to Provide Incentives for Electric Vehicles
July 22, 2010
Rockwood Holdings, Inc., is a member of the Electrification Coalition, a non-partisan, not-for-profit coalition of business leaders, working to support the electrification of the transportation system and a reduction in U.S. dependence on oil.

United Gilsonite Laboratories Enhances Sales Team
July 22, 2010
United Gilsonite Laboratories (UGL) has added to its sales force with two new hires.

ACA Announces Call for Papers for the 2011 CoatingsTech Conference
July 15, 2010
ACA is seeking technical papers and student posters for the 2011 CoatingsTech Conference to be held March 14-16, 2011, at the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O'Hare.

Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Banning the Use of Lacquer Sealer Floor Finishing Products
July 15, 2010
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on July 2 signed into law regulations banning the use of lacquer sealer products for finishing floors.

AkzoNobel Sets $3 billion China target for 2015
July 15, 2010
AkzoNobel has announced that it plans to double its current revenue in China within five years.

American Chemet Corporation Announces Election of William H. ("Bill") Shropshire as New President and CEO
July 15, 2010
American Chemet Corporation announced the election of William H. ("Bill") Shropshire as its new president and CEO, effective July 1, 2010.

Henkel and BASF Coatings set up Research Joint Venture
July 15, 2010
BASF Coatings GmbH and Henkel AG & Co KGaA have signed a joint venture agreement to develop innovative corrosion protection solutions for the automotive industry.

Brenntag Americas Receives Wacker "Distributor of the Year" Awards for 2009
July 15, 2010
Several Brenntag Americas companies received "Distributor of the Year" Awards from Wacker Chemie Wacker presents these awards annually and on a global basis with four performance achievement categories: Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze.

California's DTSC Releases Draft Green Chemistry Regulation
June 29, 2010
California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on June 23 released its Draft Regulation for Safer Consumer Products, which stages a key component of the state's 2008 Green Chemistry Initiative law to create a system to regulate chemicals in consumer products.

EPA Delays Enforcement Actions of its Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule
June 29, 2010
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on June 25 announced that small contractors will have more time to comply with new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules for work done on buildings that have old, lead-based paint.

Deadline for ACA's Company Productivity Report Extended to July 12
June 29, 2010
ACA members who wish to participate in the annual Company Productivity Survey are reminded that the deadline is now July 12, 2010. 

The International Paint and Printing Ink Council Presents its 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum
June 29, 2010
Register today for the 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum Nov. 2-4, 2010, in Singapore at the Goodwood Park Hotel.

Sponsorship Opportunities
June 29, 2010
Increase your company's exposure by participating in one or more of the sponsorship opportunities for the ACSeries Programs. Sponsorship is a great way to network with potential clients and remain at the forefront of the industry.

Massachusetts Bill Banning the Use of Flammable Wood Lacquer Sealer Floor Finishing Products Awaits Governor's Signature
June 29, 2010
Massachusetts regulations banning the use of flammable wood lacquer sealer floor finishing products that advocates say will prevent house fires is expected to be signed by the governor.

PPG Appoints Glenn E. Bost II Senior Vice President, General Counsel
June 29, 2010
PPG Industries has announced that Glenn E. Bost II has been named senior vice president and general counsel, effective July 1.

Cognis Owners Decide to Sell Shares to BASF
June 29, 2010
Cognis Holding Luxembourg S.à r.l., controlled by Permira Funds, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences, signed a sale and purchase agreement to sell 100 percent of the shares in Cognis Holding GmbH to BASF SE on June 22.

Brenntag Specialties Announces Dedication of ACES Applications Laboratory
June 29, 2010
Brenntag Specialties, Inc., announced the dedication of a new "ACES" Applications Laboratory in North Wales, Pa.

Sherwin-Williams' SherFlex Now NSF Approved For Immersion Service
June 29, 2010
The Sherwin-Williams Company announced that its SherFlex elastomeric polyurethane coating and lining system has been approved to ANSI/NSF Standard 61 for use in potable water tanks of 3,000 gallons or greater.

EPA and Partners Defend their PSA Campaign, Despite Objections from ACA and Others; ACA Lodges Complaint and Requests Correction of Information
June 17, 2010
On June 9, ACA received a letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD, the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, and the Ad Council in response to ACA's objections to their recent public service announcement (PSA) ad campaign.

EPA to Amend Air Toxics Emission Standards to Address HAP Definitions
June 17, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will amend its air toxics emissions standards for small paint and adhesive manufacturers to include a definition of hazardous air pollutants that addresses non-carcinogens, according to a direct final rule to be published in the Federal Register on June 3.

RPM'S Performance Coatings Group Acquires Norwegian Flooring Coatings Business
June 17, 2010
RPM International Inc. announced that its Performance Coatings Group has acquired Hummervoll Industribelegg AS, a supplier and installer of industrial flooring systems based in Bergen, Norway, with annual sales of more than $11 million.

FITZ CHEM Awarded Expanded Territory by IMERYS Performance Minerals
June 17, 2010
Fitz Chem Corporation, a distributor/sales agent of raw materials to the coatings, plastics, ink, construction, adhesives and personal care industries, has said that IMERYS Performance Minerals has expanded their distribution territory.

ALTANA Acquires ABB Micafil's Polyurethane Casting Resins Business
June 17, 2010
ALTANA has acquired with immediate effect the polyurethane casting resins business of ABB Micafil, a business unit of ABB Schweiz.

Brenntag France Inaugurates New Distribution Center for Specialty Chemicals
June 17, 2010
Brenntag France has opened a new storage and distribution center the company says has a total surface of 15,000 m², storage capacity of 9,000 tons, and meets the latest environmental guidelines and security standards.

Oregon to Implement the Nation's First Paint Producer Responsibility Law
June 4, 2010
July 1, 2010 will mark the first day of a new state legislated program that will require paint manufacturers to safely manage leftover latex and oil-based paint from consumer and contractor painting projects.

Senate Passes Amendment Delaying Enforcement of New EPA Lead Rule
May 19, 2010
Attached to the emergency supplemental spending legislation (H.R. 4899) passed by the U.S. Senate on May 28, was an amendment delaying enforcement of an EPA rule, which went into effect last month.

Supply-Chain Efficiency Bill Introduced in Senate
May 19, 2010
Legislation promoting supply-chain efficiency to save energy and water through grants, technical guidance, and other means was introduced in the Senate May 24.

European Commission Announces Fees for Chemical Classification, Labeling Plan
May 19, 2010
The European Commission on May 22 published a regulation announcing fees that chemical manufacturers, purchasers, or importers would have to pay to comply with the European Union's Classification, Labeling, and Packaging (CLP) of Substances and Mixtures regulation (EC No. 1272/2008).

Sherwin-Williams to Acquire Becker Acroma Industrial Wood Coatings
May 19, 2010
The Sherwin-Williams Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Becker Acroma Industrial Wood Coatings, a subsidiary of AB Wilh.

AkzoNobel Formally Acquires Dow Powder Business
May 19, 2010
AkzoNobel has completed its acquisition of the Dow Chemical Company’s powder coatings activities.

Arkema Receives Regulatory Approval to Market its Carbon Nanotubes in the United States
May 19, 2010
Arkema Inc. has received EPA approval for commercial sales of its Graphistrength® multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the United States.

EPA Restricts Emissions Control Rules to Largest Greenhouse Gas Sources
May 19, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on May 13 that its final Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule will require only the largest new and modified sources of greenhouse gases to control emissions.

EPA to Publish MACT and Area Source Rules for Boilers
May 19, 2010
EPA has released a pre-publication of the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards and Area Source proposed rules for industrial, commercial, and institutional boilers.

SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum, Nov. 2-4, 2010
May 19, 2010
Building on the extremely successful first and second Global Marine Coatings Forums, the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) will present the 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum at the Goodwood Park Hotel in Singapore, Nov. 2-4, 2010.

EPA Adds Unprecedented Number of Chemicals and Chemical Facilities to Public Database
May 19, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has added more than 6,300 chemicals and 3,800 chemical facilities regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to a public database called Envirofacts.

Mexico Proposes Container Specifications for Transport of Hazardous Waste, Materials
May 19, 2010
Mexico's Ministry of Communications and Transportation has proposed standards for the construction, reconstruction, and testing of containers used to transport hazardous materials.

NETZSCH Acquires Premier Mill Business of SPX Corporation
May 19, 2010
NETZSCH Fine Particle Technology, LLC and SPX Corporation signed a definitive agreement on April 30, 2010, under which NETZSCH acquired the Premier Mill business of SPX Corporation.

Fitz Chem Corporation Honored with Distributor of the Year Award for 2009 by Rio Tinto Minerals/Luzenac America Inc.
May 19, 2010
Fitz Chem Corporation was recognized for outstanding performance by earning Rio Tinto Minerals/ Luzenac America Inc. 2009 Distributor of the Year Award.

Ashland Raises Price for Aquaflow® Rheology Modifiers
May 19, 2010
Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., is increasing the global price of its Aquaflow® rheology modifier products by 5 percent effective June 1, or as contracts allow.

PPG Introduces Line of Surface Solutions Products
May 19, 2010
PPG Industries has updated its offering of DuraPrep(TM) surface solutions to include a line of paint- and coatings-related products for use in automotive, industrial, protective and marine, architectural, and other markets.

Contractor Certification Rules Take Effect to Prevent Lead Exposure during Renovation
April 30, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 23 that renovations and repairs of pre-1978 housing must now be conducted by certified contractors.

New Industry Pulse Available Online
April 30, 2010
The ACA's Industry Pulse provides forecasts for the architectural and industrial coatings segments based on leading demand indicators.

Majority Leader Says Senate Likely to Move on Climate Bill before Immigration Reform
April 30, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on April 27 said he wants the Senate to pass both climate change and immigration bills this year, but the climate bill is further along in the legislative process, and thus, will likely go first.

California Releases Outline for Rules to Reduce Consumer Exposure to Toxics
April 30, 2010
As part of its "green chemistry" initiative, California regulators on April 23 released a proposed framework for regulations to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products.

AkzoNobel Expands Capacity in China
April 30, 2010
AkzoNobel recently announced a plant expansion for the manufacture of monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in China.

California Paints Introduces its New Historic Color Program, 20th Century™ Colors of America
April 30, 2010
California Paints has announced its authentic and documented historic color program that includes its new and exclusive 20th CenturyTM Colors of America color palette.

Evonik Industries, Tasnee and Sahara Sign "Heads of Agreement" on Joint Venture to Produce Superabsorbents in Jubail, Saudia Arabia
April 30, 2010
Evonik Industries AG, National Industrialization Company (Tasnee) and Sahara Petrochemicals are planning to set up a joint venture to produce super absorbent polymers.

St. Joseph's University Offers Global Chemical Regulations and Compliance Management Graduate Course
April 16, 2010
The M.S. in Environmental Protection and Safety Management Program at Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, Penn., has introduced a new elective course and seminar in Global Chemical Regulations and Compliance Management for the Fall 2010 semester.

MetoKote Forms Consultancy Agreement with Foxmark
April 16, 2010
MetoKote Corporation has entered into a consulting services agreement with Foxmark International, a management services firm headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Innospec and Huntsman Launch Collaborative Venture
April 16, 2010
Innospec Inc. has announced a new collaborative venture with Huntsman Corporation in the personal care market.

DSM and Berliner Glas Sign Licensing Agreement for KhepriCoat
April 16, 2010
DSM Functional Coatings B.V., part of Royal DSM N.V., and Berliner Glas KGaA, a European supplier of refined technical glass, have agreed to terms of a licensing deal for DSM's anti-reflective coating system, KhepriCoat™

2010 Metal Protection Through Coatings Technology Conference Scheduled for October 19-20
April 16, 2010
To be held at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh, Penn., this two-day metal protection and corrosion coatings conference will offer a dual-track forum for professionals who develop, specify, or use coatings for the protection of all types of metal surfaces.

Coatings Regulations and Analytical Methods Conference Slated for October 20-21
April 16, 2010
To be held concurrently with the Metal Protection conference at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel in Pittsburgh, this two-day coatings regulations and analytical methods conference will offer an open forum for professionals who develop, specify, or use coatings.

Masco Corporation Partners with Earth911
March 31, 2010
The Masco Corporation, effective as of the first of this year, is now a member of the Earth911/PaintCare On-Product Labeling Program.

Registration is Open: 2010 International Marine and Offshore Coatings Conference Scheduled for May 19-21
March 31, 2010
This three-day marine coatings conference will provide timely information in three key areas

Registration for the 2010 Chemical Sector Security Summit is Now Open
March 31, 2010
The 2010 Chemical Sector Security Summit will be held July 7-8 at the Hilton Baltimore, Baltimore, Md.

Join ACA's Professional Development Committee
March 31, 2010
The American Coatings Association's Professional Development Committee is primarily responsible for shaping the content for ACA’s science and technology educational programming, including its ACSeries and VLCs (Virtual Learning Conferences).

Eastman Signs Agreement to Acquire Genovique Specialties Corporation
March 31, 2010
Eastman Chemical Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Genovique Specialties Corporation, a global producer of specialty plasticizers, benzoic acid, and sodium benzoate.

Atlas Forms Strategic Alliance with Underwriters Laboratories
March 31, 2010
Atlas Material Testing Technology has entered into a strategic alliance with Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent third-party safety testing and certification provider.

BASF to Establish Eco-Friendly Automotive Coatings Center in Korea
March 31, 2010
BASF and the Gyeonggi Provincial Government of the Republic of Korea (GGPG) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to confirm their collaboration in establishing a technical center for developing advanced eco-friendly coatings technologies for the automotive industry in Korea.

ALTANA to Acquire Aquaprint
March 31, 2010
ALTANA has signed an agreement to acquire Germany-based Aquaprint GmbH, which primarily produces coatings for in-mold labels and other labels as well as waterborne overprint varnishes for use on paper, cardboard, and foils.

Table of Contents Alert: March 2010 Issue of JCTR Released
March 31, 2010
The American Coatings Association has announced the publication of the March 2010 issue of the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research (J. Coat. Technol. Res., 7 (2) 145-278, 2010).

CoatingsWiki: Add Your Marine Coatings Terms
March 31, 2010
The CoatingsWiki, launched last year by ACA and accessible at www.coatingstech.org/wiki, is proving to be a valuable—and fun—resource for industry professionals.

2010 FOCUS Conference to Examine Innovation
March 31, 2010
The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology (DSCT) is sponsoring the 35th Annual FOCUS Conference.

U.S. EPA Seeks Data on Certain High Production Volume Chemicals
March 15, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Feb. 25 published in the Federal Register proposed rules for collecting data on 29 high production volume chemicals.

Far Reaching Lead-Based Paint Rules Effective April 22
March 15, 2010
Under U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations that go into effect April 22, any contractor who repairs, renovates, or paints homes built before 1978 must have at least one employee undergo safety training.

Final Rule Modifies Security Plan Requirements for Transportation of Hazardous Materials
March 15, 2010
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is modifying security plan requirements for the transportation of hazardous materials by narrowing the list of materials subject to the requirements and reducing regulatory costs and paperwork burdens, the agency announced March 8.

PPG Offers New Course on 'Cool Coatings for Metal Roofing'
March 15, 2010
PPG Industries' industrial coatings business has introduced a course called "Cool Coatings for Metal Roofing."

Arch Chemicals to Sell Industrial Coatings to Sherwin-Williams
March 15, 2010
Arch Chemicals, Inc. has announced an agreement to sell its Industrial Coatings business to The Sherwin-Williams Company for approximately 40 million Euro ($54 million U.S.) in cash.

Rust-Oleum Acquires Chemtec Chemicals
March 15, 2010
Rust-Oleum Corporation, a subsidiary of RPM International Inc., has acquired Chemtec Chemicals BV, a manufacturer of industrial cleaners and specialty coatings that is based in the Netherlands.

Mark E. Nichols Named Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Coatings Technology and Research
March 15, 2010
The American Coatings Association and the Oil & Colour Chemists' Association (OCCA) have announced that Mark E. Nichols has been named Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research (JCTR).

Ray A. Dickie Retires as JCTR Editor-in-Chief
March 15, 2010
ACA and OCCA have announced that, as of March 1, 2010, Dr. Ray A. Dickie officially retired from his position as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research (JCTR).

iPhone Paint Application
March 15, 2010
The Paint Quality Institute has announced the availability of a new iPhone App called Paint Remedy.

Senate Passes HIRE Act
March 2, 2010
Senate Democrats gained their first legislative success of the year on Feb. 24, when the Senate voted 70-28 on Feb. 24 to pass a $15 billion jobs package.

Arkema Completes Integration of Dow's UCAR Emulsion Systems
March 2, 2010
Arkema has formally completed its acquisition of Dow's acrylic monomers and acrylic latex polymers (UCAR Emulsion Systems) business activities in North America.

Sherwin-Williams Signs Agreement to Acquire Sayerlack Wood Coatings
March 2, 2010
The Sherwin-Williams Company has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Industrial Wood Coatings business of Arch Chemicals, Inc., known as Sayerlack.

MPI Launches Program for Raw Material Suppliers
March 2, 2010
Master Painters Institute (MPI) has launched its "Starting Point" program for paint raw materials suppliers.

Bayer Introduces New Medical Products Brand
March 2, 2010
Bayer MaterialScience LLC has introduced the Baymedix™ brand of medical products, consolidating several product concepts under one unifying name.

Steven M. Parker Appointed President and COO of Shamrock Technologies
March 2, 2010
Shamrock Technologies has named Steven M. Parker as president and chief operating officer.

SAVE THE DATE: 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum, Nov. 2-4, 2010
March 2, 2010
Building on the extremely successful first and second Global Marine Coatings Forums, the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) will present the 3rd Global Marine Coatings Forum in Singapore, Nov. 2-4, 2010.

EPA "Area Source" Rules that May Impact Your Manufacturing Operations
February 16, 2010
In the last several months the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized three area source rules that may impact coatings, ink, adhesive, resin, and chemical preparation manufacturing operations by requiring add-on pollution controls and work-practice standards to reduce hazardous air pollutants (HAP).

ACA Efforts to Address Pending Changes in U.S. Chemicals Management Policy
February 16, 2010
New and aggressive legislative efforts at the federal and state level are anticipated seeking to amend longstanding policies with respect to management of new and existing chemicals, including critical coatings industry raw materials.

EPA Publishes SNURs for 15 Chemical Substances under TSCA
February 16, 2010
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Feb. 1 published in the Federal Register a notice of promulgation of Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) under Section 5(a)(2) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for 15 chemical substances.

DOT Publishes Final Rule Boosting Compliance Flexibility for Hazmat Shipments
February 16, 2010
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a hazmat transport rule to revise packing-related definitions, allow more flexibility when preparing and transmitting closure instructions, and clarify documentation requirements.

February CoatingsTech Highlights
February 16, 2010
The February 2010 issue of CoatingsTech will be hitting your mailbox soon!

Eliokem Appoints New CEO
February 16, 2010
Eliokem has named Patrice Barthelmes CEO of the company.

Tronox to Expand Following Bankruptcy Reorganization
February 16, 2010
Tronox Pigments GmbH has announced plans to invest millions to expand its business into new market segments.

American Trim Receives $994,000 in Economic Stimulus Funds for New Energy Efficient Coating Line
February 16, 2010
American Trim, which specializes in the forming, decorating, and coating of metal and composite substrates has announced that it has received $994,000 from the State Energy Plan of Ohio.

Coatex Enters Into Agreement with Arkema for POLYPHOBE Products
February 16, 2010
Coatex has announced an agreement with Arkema to supply POLYPHOBETM products to the paint and coatings industry in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.