Coatings World - April 2010

Fresh Paint
ogy and neurology. The aim is to provide
innovative materials which can
enhance design, manufacturing and
end-use performance for a variety of
medical devices.

West Africa, as it is interested in acquir-
ing Orleans’ strategic partner,
Socotherm, for its pipe-coating business
in Nigeria. Wah Seong anticipates an
increase of activity in gas field develop-
ments, gas distribution and deepwater
field exploration and development in the
region. Originally, Orleans and Soco-
therm had a 40:60 pipe-coating joint ven-
ture in West Africa. In December last

PARA PAINTS AND LOWE’S FORM PARTNERSHIP Lowe’s Companies, Inc. and Canadian paint manufacturer Para Paints have formed a strategic alliance, bringing Para Paints to all Lowe’s retail stores in Canada by mid-April 2010. Lowe’s will carry two major Para sub-brands including Para Lifestyles paint for consumer markets, and Para Professional Precision, which caters to both consumer as well as painting contractors. The launch of the Para brand into Lowe’s Canada will include their home color system with over 2,150 designer shades along with Para’s Canadian Heritage Collection. The Para color system along with new themed color brochures and inspiring color coordinating idea cards will launch alongside the new paint lines later this spring.

ALTANA ACQUIRES AQUAPRINT Specialty chemicals group Altana has signed an agreement to acquire the business of Aquaprint GmbH. The company, which is based in Oyten, Lower Saxony, Germany, primarily produces coatings for in-mold labels and other labels as well as waterborne overprint varnishes for use on paper, cardboard and foils. By way of an asset deal, Altana mainly acquires Aquaprint’s customers and know-how, as well as its machinery, plants, andinventories. Within the Altana Group, Aquaprint will be incorporated into the ActegaCoatings & Sealants division, where it will be fully integrated into Actega Terra GmbH, Lehrte.