Coatings News from PRA: www.pra-world.com

Whitehall - Now Offering Two Recruitment Options Whitehall has introduced a dedicated website for Senior & Executive vacancies www.whitehall-international.uk.com. Other vacancies are at www.whitehall.uk.com.

LANXESS raises guidance for 2008 Specialty chemicals company LANXESS AG has continued on its path of growth and is increasing its earnings forecast for the full year 2008.

BASF Venture Capital invests in US nanotechnology company NanoMas BASF Venture Capital GmbH, Ludwigshafen, has invested in the US startup company NanoMas Technologies Inc. NanoMas develops inks containing silver nanoparticles that are easily processed to electrical circuits in printed electronics, solar cells and special adhesives.

BASF reaches participation of more than 94.5 percent of Ciba shares The additional acceptance period for BASF's [BAS, BFA, AN] public tender offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland, ended on November 14. During the offer period, a total of 53,350,051 Ciba shares have been tendered to BASF.

Dürr with record order backlog At €1,277.3 million, new orders booked by the Dürr Group in the first nine months were just short of the year-earlier level (€1,307.1 million).

Holliday Pigments Makes a Stand at Chinacoat 2008 (26-28 November, Stand 10/J21-24) Following Holliday Pigments' takeover by US-based Group Rockwood Pigments, the company will again be showcasing its ultramarines at Chinacoat 2008.

Evonik reaffirms its outlook in a challenging business environment "Evonik remains on a good course after the first nine months despite the difficult global economic conditions," comments Dr. Werner Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG, which published its results for the first three quarters of fiscal 2008.

AkzoNobel Targeting Growth in India AkzoNobel is set to break ground on a new coatings manufacturing plant in India, signaling the company's ambition to become one of the country's leading industrial players.

AkzoNobel Opens Amsterdam India Festival A major event celebrating India's finest begins in the Netherlands, with AkzoNobel having played a major role in organizing what promises to be a spectacular launch event.

Huntsman Posts Stable 2008 Third Quarter Results Revenues at Huntsman for the third quarter of 2008 were $2,730.5 million, an increase of 13% compared to $2,423.8 million for the third quarter of 2007 and a decrease of 6% compared to $2,895.7 million for the second quarter of 2008.

Ferro Reports 2008 Third-Quarter Results Ferro Corporation announced net sales of $608.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, up 11 percent from net sales of $550.7 million in the third quarter of 2007.

International Protective Coatings virtually eliminates pipe coating complexity Intertherm 898® CSA is the new product from International® Paint which offers protection from -165°C to +565°C and is designed for coating externals of pipework in new construction. The new product reduces complexity in coating application and improves fabrication throughput.

Sika with worldwide growth and solid income In the first three quarters of 2008 Sika boosted sales in all regions and gained 9.5% overall in local currencies.

Qioptiq Group Completes Sale of Coatings Business Leading international designer and manufacturer of optical solutions, Qioptiq, announced today that it had completed the sale of its Plymouth, UK coatings business.

Sun Chemical Signs Deal to Distribute Apollo Printers Sun Chemical aims to help wide format printers increase productivity and profitability by signing a deal to become a UK distributor for the new Apollo series of multi-functional, UV wide format printers.

DuPont Opens Office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates As a part of its continued growth strategy in emerging markets, DuPont today announced the opening of its second office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

BASF Coatings' brilliant colours sizzle on hot cars What do four spectacularly finished Audi TTs and 32 miniature VW Beetles have in common? Clad in iridescent colors with metallic, chrome and pearlescent effects, they will be turning heads at the R-M® booth at the Essen Motor Show from November 29 to December 7.

High-performance classroom of future built with PPG glass, coatings, paint Glass, coatings and paint products from PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) will be part of a special demonstration project showcasing the "High Performance School of the Future, Today" at the 2008 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Boston, Nov. 19-21.

BASF tender offer for Ciba Holding AG: Definitive acceptance rate of 68.10% based on all Ciba shares Following the analysis of all tender declarations, BASF today announced the definitive interim result of its public tender offer to shareholders of Ciba Holding AG [CIBN], Basel, Switzerland.

Reichhold Appoints Azelis Company as UK Distribution Partner Reichhold, the world's largest producer of unsaturated polyester resins for the fabrication of composites products and a leading supplier for coating resins, has appointed an Azelis company, Brøste UK, as its distribution partner to serve the UK market with the exception of sales in Northern Ireland.

Lubrizol Announces Continued Strong Performance for the Third Quarter of 2008 Despite a Challenging Environment The Lubrizol Corporation announced that consolidated earnings for the third quarter ended September 30, 2008 were $63.2 million, or $.92 per diluted share, including after-tax restructuring and impairment charges of $3.8 million, or $.06 per diluted share.

BASF preparing for tough business environment BASF has ended the third quarter with solid results in a significantly more difficult economic environment. All operating divisions increased their prices, and volumes rose in almost all segments. Overall, sales rose by 13 percent to €15.8 billion. Adjusted for currency effects, sales grew by 18 percent.

Industrial Nanotech, Inc. Maintains Four Year Record of Triple Digit Year Over Year Revenue Growth Industrial Nanotech, Inc., an emerging global leader in nanotechnology, announced that the company continues to maintain its consistent record of triple digit revenue growth despite the current economic conditions.

Ashland Inc. reports fourth-quarter operating income of $28 million and loss from continuing operations of 1 cent per share Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced a preliminary1 loss from continuing operations of $1 million, or 1 cent per share, for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2008, the fourth quarter of Ashland's fiscal year, as compared with income of $32 million, or 51 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter.

Eliokem appoints director of North American operations ELIOKEM, a leading global specialty chemical provider, announces the appointment of John Malloy to Director, Eliokem, Inc. Mr. Malloy was previously the Director of Finance & Administration for Eliokem, Inc. and will retain those duties along with the new Director appointment effective immediately.

Masco Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results Masco Corporation reported that net sales from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 declined 16 percent to $2.5 billion compared with $3.0 billion for the third quarter of 2007.

Kansai Nerolac Net Sales up by 12% Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, one of the leading paint manufacturers in the country has posted a net profit at Rs. 27.07 Cr for the second financial quarter ended September 30, 2008 as against Rs. 33.12 Cr in the corresponding quarter last year.

ECKART: Gathering Pace in China ECKART is pleased to announce the completion of its first production facility in Asia, located in Zhuhai, Guangdong, China.

BASF Coatings introduces waterborne basecoats in Romania BASF Coatings is the first paint manufacturer to introduce waterborne basecoats in Romania. BASF Coatings’ waterborne basecoat technology is used to coat carmaker Dacia’s Logan and new Sandero models, which are produced at the Dacia plant in Pitesti, around 150 kilometers from Bucharest.

New paint from BASF evokes the impression of pure water At the Paris International Motor Show, Mazda unveiled its concept of a new environmentally friendly compact car that is intended to appeal to young European city drivers. In meeting the huge challenge of translating the “pure water” theme into a visually prominent design, the Mazda Motor Europe team received support from BASF Coatings for colors and materials.

Masco Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results Masco Corporation has reported that net sales from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 declined 16 percent to $2.5 billion compared with $3.0 billion for the third quarter of 2007.

AkzoNobel acquires Enviroline business from Industrial Environmental Coatings Corp. AkzoNobel has strengthened its world-leading Marine & Protective Coatings portfolio following the acquisition of the Enviroline business from Florida-based Industrial Environmental Coatings Corporation.

Sun Chemical’s PrintSmart™ Publication Inks Improve Performance on Upgraded Paper Stocks Addressing heatset printers’ needs for ink to print consistently across a growing range of improved paper stocks and grades, Sun Chemical introduced PrintSmart publication inks.

Rycoline’s Newest Coating Offers Unique Leather-Like Feel and Brings Cost Savings to Customers Sheetfed packaging, commercial and POP printers can now provide their customers with a new coating texture as a cost-effective product offering with Rycoline’s Diamond Coat SOFT TOUCH coating, a new special effect coating that imparts a unique rubbery, leather-like feel with a matte appearance to printed and unprinted materials.

DuPont Reports Solid Third Quarter Results. DuPont says third quarter results were solid and sales in emerging markets grew by 25 percent.

DSM reports strong Q3 against deteriorating market conditions DSM’s managing board chairman says: "DSM has reported a strong third quarter result and the company remains on track to achieve a record operating profit in 2008."

Kansai Nerolac Net Sales up by 12% Kansai Nerolac Paints Limited, one of the leading paint manufacturers in the country has posted a net profit at Rs. 27.07 Cr for the second financial quarter ended September 30, 2008 as against Rs. 33.12 Cr in the corresponding quarter last year.

Eastman Chemicals Third Quarter Results Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced earnings from continuing operations of $1.33 per diluted share for third quarter 2008 versus $0.30 per diluted share for third quarter 2007.

Toyo Ink Opens New Manufacturing Plant in Texas Toyo Ink Manufacturing America, LLC, a member of the Toyo Ink Group, celebrated the grand opening of its new manufacturing facility in a traditional Shinto ceremony held on the factory premises in Bryan, Texas.

3M Reports Record Third-Quarter Sales 3M announced third-quarter sales of $6.6 billion, an increase of 6.2 percent over third quarter of 2007. Net income was $991 million, or $1.41 per share, versus $960 million, or $1.32 per share in the corresponding period last year.

Sun Chemical Expands High Performance Pigment Manufacturing Capabilities through Joint Venture with China’s Lianyungang Haidi Chemicals Sun Chemical and its parent company, DIC Corporation, formerly known as Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, have formed a joint venture with Lianyungang Haidi Chemicals, Co. Ltd., a leading high performance pigment manufacturer in China.

Celanese Corporation Reports Third Quarter Results; Adjusts 2008 Outlook Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a leading global chemical company, today reported net sales of $1,823 million, a 16 percent increase from the prior year’s results, primarily driven by higher pricing, increased volumes in Acetyl Intermediates, and positive currency impacts.

BASF Coatings introduces waterborne basecoats in Romania BASF Coatings is the first paint manufacturer to introduce waterborne basecoats in Romania.

Valmont Reports Third Quarter Results Valmont Industries, a leading global manufacturer of engineered support structures for infrastructure, mechanized irrigation equipment for agriculture, and a provider of coating services, reported third quarter sales of $494.8 million compared with $372.0 million for the same period of 2007.

AkzoNobel Wins Approval for McDonald’s Redesign AkzoNobel has developed a coatings menu for McDonald’s which involves supplying a range of paint products for the re-imaging of hundreds of its Purely Simple style restaurants.

Global vehicle colour popularity starting to shift, says PPG Silver has once again dominated as the world's most popular car color but other shades are gaining ground, especially in North America, according to annual automotive color popularity data released by PPG Industries.

Global Environment Benefits from Water-Based Paints Fourteen million pounds of air emissions have been eliminated annually since tens of thousands of auto collision repair shops in more than 30 countries began using DuPont water-based paints rather than traditional solvent-based coatings, according to DuPont environmental data.

RPM Reports Record First-Quarter Fiscal 2009 Results RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) today reported record sales, net income and diluted earnings per share for its fiscal 2009 first quarter ended August 31, 2008.

BASF strengthens position in Chinese automotive industry A new BASF plant for the manufacture of automotive spring aids made of Cellasto® for approximately five million vehicles per year is to be built in Shanghai by early 2010.

Huntsman Continues Legal Victories Huntsman Corporation announced that it has achieved another major victory in its ongoing legal effort to consummate the pending merger with Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc.

Cytec Industries Reduces Full Year 2008 Earnings Guidance Cytec Industries Inc. announced it is reducing its outlook for full year 2008 diluted earnings per share after adjusting for special items to a range of $3.75 to $3.85 per share, down from the prior guidance of $4.15 to $4.35 per share.

ALTANA completes acquisition of USBP After having received the approval by the German antitrust authorities, ALTANA AG now completes the acquisition of the effect pigments business of the American company United States Bronze Powders Inc. (USBP) with immediate effect.

RPM Adjusts Full-Year Guidance RPM International Inc. has reported that it has changed its outlook for its fiscal 2009 earnings to $1.75 to $1.85 per share, down from prior guidance of approximately $1.85 per share.

PPG completes divestiture of auto glass business PPG Industries has completed the divestiture of its automotive glass and services business to a new company formed by funds managed by Kohlberg & Company, LLC, Mount Kisco, N.Y. The new company is named Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC.

INVER to Acquire Beckers' Powder Coatings Operations in Europe INVER is acquiring Becker Powder Coatings' four European production plants located in France, UK, Poland and Italy.

Flint Group continues on acquisition trail with purchase of Russell-Webb Ltd. Flint Group announces the signing of an agreement for the acquisition of the specialist anti-set-off manufacturer Russell-Webb Ltd.

PPG acquires Bonny automotive refinish coatings business in China PPG Industries has acquired the automotive refinish coatings business of the Bonny Coating-Made Co., Ltd. (Bonny), in Guangzhou, China. The business will operate as an indirect subsidiary of PPG.

Continued growth at Jotun Jotun Group's positive development continues.

Huntsman Wins Decisively in Delaware Trial Huntsman Corporation announced the decision of the Delaware Court of Chancery to enter judgment in favor of Huntsman Corporation denying all declarations sought by Apollo Management, L.P. and Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. in their suit requesting that the Chancery Court excuse Hexion from its obligation to consummate the pending transaction.

Rohm and Haas Opens Technical Laboratory in Southeast Asia to Support Growth of Leading-Edge Paint and Coatings Applications Rohm and Haas Company, the world’s leading supplier of binder and additives used to make paints and coatings, announced the opening of its new Southeast Asia Technical Laboratory in Singapore.

PPG acquires Bonny automotive refinish coatings business in China PPG Industries has acquired the automotive refinish coatings business of the Bonny Coating-Made Co., Ltd. (Bonny), in Guangzhou, China. The business will operate as an indirect subsidiary of PPG.

PPG to acquire BASF North American coil, extrusion coatings business PPG Industries announced it has reached an agreement with BASF Corp. to acquire that company’s North American coil and extrusion coatings (COEX) business.

PPG provides information on third quarter 2008 financial results PPG Industries announced that its third quarter 2008 financial results will be affected negatively by several non-recurring items, including impacts from weather-related events, and by further deterioration in the automotive original equipment manufacture (OEM) market.

PPG to restructure protective, marine coatings operations in Europe PPG Industries’ protective and marine coatings business today announced that it would restructure its manufacturing presence in Europe and reorganize its support functions.

Jotun protects 'Ship of the year 2008' Jotun is proud to be the paint supplier for "Island Constructor", which won Offshore Support Journal's (OSJ) prestigious award "Ship of the Year 2008".

3M Acquires Paint Finishing Business 3M announced that it recently acquired the business of Dedication to Detail, a Philadelphia-based manufacturer of paint finishing systems including buffing and polishing pads.