Industry News
such broad applications as biomedical
devices, textiles, optical systems and
electronics. Initially, the facility will
be set up to support applications engi-
neering for a number of end-uses for
the Department of Defense in part-
nership with NDSU. Triton plans to
acquire approximately 3,000 square
feet of space with the goal of doubling
that space within 24 months.
DSM AND NOVOMER TO
DEVELOP C02-BASED RESIN
Royal DSM N.V. and Novomer Inc.,
based in Waltham, MA have signed an
agreement to jointly develop a revolutionary coating resin using carbon
dioxide (CO2) as a raw material.
This development agreement follows a cooperation agreement and an
investment by DSM Venturing in
Novomer in 2007. The joint development project will benefit from the
broad variety of DSM’s technologies
and market access, in combination
with the CO2 polymerization technology of Novomer.
The chemistry and process technol-
ogy for producing polymers from CO2
and propylene oxide (PO) will be
developed by Novomer, while DSM
will convert the polymers into resins
and formulate them for target appli-
cations such as coatings, adhesives
and graphic arts. Polycarbonate
resins are widely known because of
their superior performance and resist-
ances and could find use in many
types of coatings. Commercial use of
conventional types has been limited
due to their cost position and some
weaknesses that are inherent in these
products. The new CO2-based aliphat-
ic polycarbonates to be developed by
DSM and Novomer could potentially
resolve these weaknesses, according to
the company.
ARCH CHEMICALS AND
SYNGENTA DEVELOP
NEW DRY-FILM FUNGICIDES
Arch Chemicals, Inc. will incorporate
Sporgard technology into new biocide
solutions to actively combat mold
and fungi in paints, coatings and
other building products. Sporgard
technology, an advanced mold solution developed by Syngenta, has
gained wide attention with its offering of multiple mold inhibitors used
to protect the world’s food crops and
for other end-use applications.
“Arch Chemicals is excited about the
opportunity to expand our family of
biocides for building products with
Sporgard technology, which represents
the next generation in dry-film fungicides for coatings products,” said Mark
Kenline, global business director for
Arch Chemicals’ Industrial Biocides
Building Products business. “This
alliance with Syngenta builds on
Arch’s well-established reputation for
superior microbiology product formulation skills, regulatory and toxicological expertise and in-depth market
knowledge.”
BRENNTAG ACQUIRES FRENCH
CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTOR METAUSEL
Brenntag has announced the acquisi-
tion of the chemical distribution assets
of Metausel, headquartered in
Strasbourg, France. Metausel distrib-
utes mainly industrial chemicals into
various industries such as painting and
constructions, food, pharmaceuticals,
water treatment and surface treat-
ment. The company serves customers
in the Alsace-Lorraine area which is
one of the strongest economic regions
in France. According to Yves Merolle,
managing director Brenntag France,
the company will further strengthen its
position as chemical distributor in
France through this acquisition.
DOW COATING MATERIALS
PRESENTS PAPER ON
SUSTAINABILITY TRENDS
Dow Coating Materials gave a presentation on “Coatings Industry Sustainability
– Trends, Challenges and Opportunities”
at the 9th Annual Oil & Colour Chemists
Association (OCCA) Seminar in
Manchester, UK. The presentation by Dr.
Houshang Kheradmand, European
Technology Awareness and Innovation
manager for DCM, co-authored by Dr.
Andrew Trapani, European Technical
Director for DCM, focused on identifying
sustainability trends and opportunities
in the global coatings industry, as well as
methodologies for integrating sustainable development criteria across the life
cycle of a product. This year’s presentation is an in-depth follow-up to the sustainability overview delivered by
Kheradmand last year.
IN BRIEF
Lonza Inc. has expanded its grinding
capacity by 50% for atomized and powdered Acrawax ethylene bis stearamide
at is Williamsport, PA facility...Univar
has signed an agreement to acquire the
Quaron Group, a distributor of chemicals in Belgium, France and the
Netherlands...Hexion Specialty
Chemicals has signed an agreement to
sell its Italian solventborne alkyd and
polyester coating resins business to an
affiliate of Tenax group, an Italian-based company that produces similar
products... Wacker will increase capacity of Vinnol H 15 by 50% starting in
the first quarter 2011. CW
