Coatings World - July 2011

help PPG to better serve China and other
countries in the Asia Pacific region, rein-
forcing our leading position in the re-
gional paint and coatings industry as well
as our focus on growth in these rapidly
developing economies. Additionally, the
plant’s green systems and construction
help PPG to honor its commitment to sus-
tainable operation.”
“China and the entire Asia Pacific re-
gion are areas of great importance to
PPG’s global growth strategy,” said Viktor
Sekmakas, PPG senior vice president, in-
dustrial coatings, and president, PPG Asia
Pacific. “The Zhangjiagang facility will
supply regional PPG coatings plants with
key raw materials of consistent quality,
more quickly and at lower costs than was
previously possible. It will help to stream-
line PPG’s Asia Pacific operations and in-
crease our commitment to providing
customers here with high-quality products
and reliable service.”
The new plant will produce finished
electrodeposition resins for use in the man-
ufacture of automotive and industrial elec-
trocoat products. It spans 60,000 square
meters and incorporates green building ma-
terials by PPG such as low-VOC coatings
and low-emissivity glass. Since PPG began
construction of the plant in October 2009,
it has aimed to conserve energy, water and
raw materials that will make the facility a
model of sustainability in the region. PPG
also operates resin-production facilities in
the U.S., Europe, Brazil, Australia, South
Korea and Mexico.

BASF launches dispersions and pigments website BASF’s dispersions and pigments business in North America has launched a new website: www.basf.us/dpsolutions. The new website provides customers with easy access to information about the company’s high-value ingredients and solutions for decorative, industrial and transportation paints and coatings; printing inks, overprint varnishes, functional coatings and adhesives for printing and packaging building and infrastructure materials; and nonwovens and fiber bonding.

kets such as superabsorbent polymers, paint, construction, automotive or electronics. This significant development project illustrates Rhodia’s commitment to underpin the hydroquinone market’s growth, especially in Asia, while consolidating its strengths, namely proximity, quality and security of supply to its customers via its three production units throughout the world. In addition to its comprehensive range of stabilizers for monomers, Rhodia provides high-quality technical support, thanks in particular to its international expertise laboratory and its global technical support teams.

Rhodia to increase hydroquinone capacity in China Rhodia has announced plans to increase its worldwide production capacity of hydroquinone by 20 percent, especially at Rhodia Zhenjiang unit in China by 2012. The global demand for hydroquinone is driven by high, sustained growth of certain mar-

BioAmber wins Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award BioAmber, Inc. has been awarded a 2011 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, presented by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Chemical Society (ACS). The Award

Ashland wins Ringier Technology Innovation Award Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., received Ringier Technology Innovation Awards for achievements in coatings additives and food and beverage technologies during recently held ceremonies in Shanghai. The awards recognize companies that have made significant contributions to technological advancement in the Asia-Pacific region. Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients was honored for bringing both Natrosol HE3KB modified hydroxyethylcellulose to the coatings industry and Benecel methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose to the regional food and beverage industry.