BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, has expressed interest in acquiring Degussa's construction chemicals division to expand its own portfolio in a high-growth market through forward integration.

BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, has expressed interest in acquiring Degussa's construction chemicals division to expand its own portfolio in a high-growth market through forward integration. With the approval of its Supervisory Board, BASF's Board of Executive Directors has proposed to Degussa's Board of Management to conduct exclusive negotiations on the possible transaction. Following a detailed review of the business case, BASF plans to make a concrete offer for Degussa's business.

Dow Corning, Midland, MI, has announced the appointment of DoveChemCentral as its distributor in China for its branded lines of high-quality Antifoams. DoveChemCentral is a joint venture between CHEMCENTRAL and Dovechem Holdings.

The Ethylene Elastomers Business of ExxonMobil Chemical Co., Houston, has announced the signing of an agreement that will make R.T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc. a distributor of ExxonMobil Chemical's commercial Vistalon® Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber - EP(D)M products in North America.

Forbo, Baar, Switzerland, recently announced that it has acquired 100% of the Chinese adhesives business Victa Technology Holdings Limited. This acquisition provides Forbo with an industrial platform to strengthen the group's presence with adhesives in the Greater Chinese market. Victa produces and distributes adhesives for the converting, packaging, and woodworking industries, and has production facilities in Guangzhou and Shanghai.

Henkel, Madison Heights, MI, recently announced the opening of its new Adhesives and Sealants Technology Center, which provides crucial expertise and testing resources to transportation manufacturers and suppliers. The 65,000 square foot facility provides complete research and development support for new Henkel products, including body, trim, and powertrain adhesives and sealants, along with paint applications. The center also offers research and testing that helps Henkel's portfolio of existing products more effectively meet customers' constantly evolving needs.

MarChem Northeast Inc., a major producer of vinyl plastisols, has reported achieving full-production status following its relocation to a new manufacturing plant in Mountain Top, PA. Formerly known as MarChem Dublon Inc. of Newark, NJ, MarChem Northeast is a member of the MarChem Chemical Group of DASH Multi-Corp, a 14-subsidiary, nationwide holding company with headquarters in St. Louis.

Maroon Inc., Avon, OH, has expanded its relationship with Hydrite Chemical Co. to include the recently acquired Patcote line of defoamers. Maroon is now responsible for selling Hydrite's complete range of defoamers in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Eastern Indiana, Western Pennsylvania, Western New York and West Virginia.

Mecmesin Limited, one of Europe's leading suppliers of product quality testing solutions, has announced the marketing of its line of force and torque measurement products directly in the United States and Canada. The firm sold though its American subsidiary of the same name from 1988 to 1998, but then private-labeled under the Quantrol brand for the scale manufacturer Weigh-Tronix until Dec. 2005. The two companies have parted ways, and Mecmesin now sells through a new distributor network.

Merlin Packaging Technologies Inc. has announced the opening of a new custom packaging production facility in Gahanna, OH. In addition to increasing its production capabilities, warehousing, lab and office space, the company has also added on four new sales reps to cover the Midwest.

Munzing/Ultra Additives LLC has announced the appointment of Northspec Chemicals Corp. as distributor of its line of specialty additives to the coating, ink, adhesive and building product industries in Canada.

NOVA Chemicals Corp., Pittsburgh, has announced plans to close its Chesapeake, VA, site in 2006. The plant has a solid polystyrene production capacity of 300 million pounds per year and a compounding capability of 170 million pounds per year. The company also announced plans to close its Chesapeake Technology Center and consolidate its U.S. Styrenics Technology organization at the company's Beaver Valley site in Monaca, PA, in 2006.

Rio Tinto, Toulouse, France, a world leader in finding, mining and processing the world's mineral resources, has announced that it will bring three of its industrial minerals businesses together to better serve markets. Rio Tinto Borax, the world leader in borate supply and science, Luzenac, the world's foremost talc producer, and Dampier Salt Ltd., the premier exporter of solar salt, will be brought under common management to form Rio Tinto Minerals (RTM). Together with Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium (RTIT), Rio Tinto Minerals will form the Rio Tinto Industrial Minerals Product Group (RTIM).

Sartomer Co., Exton, PA, has announced the opening of Sartomer Japan in Tokyo. Part of the Sartomer Asia division, the new office will serve formulators and chemists throughout Japan, providing technical and sales support for Sartomer's entire line of specialty chemicals, which includes monomers, oligomers, polybutadiene resins, and styrene maleic anhydride resins.

Shincor Silicones, a leading manufacturer of silicone elastomers, has announced the opening of a new LIMS Technical Center in Akron, OH. The new center was created to support the design of new LIMS products, provide full-scale process development of LIMS materials and assist customers with training and problem solving.

Specialty Coating Systems Inc., Indianapolis, a former business unit of Cookson Group plc, has announced its acquisition by Bunker Hill Capital LP (BHC). BHC is a private equity firm with offices in Boston and San Diego whose principals have more than 90 years of strategic, financial, and operational experience. BHC's strategy is to invest in sound businesses that have leading market positions, with the ultimate goal of supporting greater growth initiatives.