manufacturers of aliphatic polyisocyanates as cross-linkers for
two-component polyurethane
coatings (2K PU). The additional
capacity will be available by year-end
2017.
“There has been a considerable increase in global demand for our high-quality Basonat hardeners over the last
few years. With this investment, we are
addressing that demand while also increasing our supply reliability,” said Ulf
Neidlein, vice president, responsible for
BASF’s resin and additive business in
Europe. Aliphatic polyisocyanates for
2K PU applications are a global growth
area for BASF. In addition to expanding
its Ludwigshafen production facilities,
BASF began setting up additional capaci-ties at its site in Caojing, China, as early
as 2014.
Customers use Basonat resins to formulate automotive and industrial coatings, furniture and flooring coatings as
well as adhesives. In addition, BASF offers a broad portfolio of binders, light
stabilizers and formulation additives for
2K PU coatings that can be perfectly combined with Basonat hardeners.
Flying Eye Hospital Takes
Off with Support from
AkzoNobel
The world’s only Flying Eye Hospital –
which takes doctors around the world
to treat patients with curable blindness – has been repainted with support
from AkzoNobel.
Operated by Orbis, a non-profit organization that transports medical
experts to developing countries, the
DC- 10 houses a fully equipped ophthalmic hospital and a 48-seat classroom. The aircraft was recently given
new livery, with AkzoNobel supplying
all the coatings.
“It’s a privilege to be involved with
an organization that can make such a
difference to everyday life,” said John
Griffin, Regional Director – North
America for AkzoNobel’s Specialty
Coatings business. “By providing es-
sential protection for the aircraft, we
believe we’re helping Orbis to make life
more liveable and inspiring for people
all over the world.”
Bob Ranck, president and CEO of
Orbis International, added: “We are in-
credibly grateful to AkzoNobel for the
generous donation of the paint. We are
thrilled with how our new Flying Eye
Hospital looks. We could not operate our
plane without the incredible support of
our sponsors.”
AkzoNobel began working on the
project late last year. The high perfor-
mance coatings specified for the aircraft
included supplying the company’s latest
base coat/clear coat system, as well as
various other products for the wings and
horizontal stabilizers.
The new livery was applied in San
Bernadino, California, before the aircraft
was unveiled this week at a special ceremony in Los Angeles.
Orbis is a sight-saving and international blindness prevention charity
dedicated to improving access to quality eye health.
Axalta Coating Systems
Launches its Nason Finishes
Brand in Russia
Axalta Coating Systems is launching its
Nason Finishes refinish brand in Russia.
With its clear focus on its customers,
Axalta has identified a requirement in
Russia for a cost-competitive, easy-to-use refinish paint system that’s suitable
for straight-forward spot, panel and
overall repairs.
“By adding Nason Finishes to our
stable of refinish brands in EMEA, we
are able to meet our customers’ requirements, regardless of their size, or
whether they require a premium brand,
something more mainstream or an
economy solution. But whatever they
choose, they know they have Axalta’s
innovation behind it,” says Matthias
Schönberg, Vice President of Axalta and
President of its Europe, Middle East
and Africa (EMEA) region.
Nason Finishes’ regionally-specific
product portfolios are well-established
in the economy refinish paint sectors
in the US, Canada, Australia and Asia
Pacific, where the brand has been delivering reliable, cost-competitive results
for many years.
PPG Completes Colorful
Communities Project in
Batley, England
PPG has announced the completion of a
Colorful Communities project in Batley,
England, that helped to revitalize the
Batley Railway Station. The Colorful
Communities program provides PPG
volunteers and products along with financial contributions to bring color and
vitality to communities where our company operates around the world. The
program increases PPG’s commitment
to invest in communities by adding $10
million to support efforts made during a
10-year period.
More than 120 PPG volunteers from
the company’s architectural coatings operations in Birstall, Morley and other local sites came together to revitalize the
station’s frontage, café and community
area, and subway. PPG provided nearly
$26,500 for the project, including 177
liters of JOHNSTONE’S paint products
in 52 colors.
The project supports the Friends of
Batley Station (FOBS) group in its campaign to improve the local station. The
subway is now brightened by a colorful mural, which showcases the best of
Batley’s architecture along with PPG’s
paint products.
The community and train passengers
benefit from the project, according to
Veronica Horsfall, PPG communications
manager based in Birstall, because it
helps make the train and local attractions
more inviting to visitors.
“We are thrilled to have engaged so
many PPG volunteers in this creative re-
vitalization project,” Horsfall said. “This
project is close to the hearts of everybody
connected to our company’s long-term
base in Batley, and we are delighted to
help make a difference for the station, the
community and the town.”
The Colorful Communities program
is PPG’s signature initiative for com-
munity engagement efforts, with the
aim to protect and beautify the neigh-
borhoods where PPG operates around
the world. Together with community
partners and PPG employees who vol-
unteer, the program supports projects
that transform community assets using
