Clariant’s Functional Chemicals Division and Dalton, GA-based XL Performance Chemicals have embarked on a strategic alliance to provide the $2.3 billion worldwide foam-control market with products for a diverse array of key end-use markets.

The alliance combines Clariant’s extensive network of sales, technical service and support with XL Performance Chemicals’ know-how and technology for producing and marketing nearly 200 different foam-control products.

In the initial phase of the alliance, Clariant will be the exclusive North American distributor of a range of proprietary XL-manufactured foam-control products for metal working, paints and coatings, mining, oil services, crop protection, and select construction applications. XL will directly service market segments not covered by the alliance. Production will be focused initially at XL’s manufacturing facility in Greenville, SC, with the opportunity to take on manufacturing at Clariant facilities as sales and market penetration develop. The products will be marketed under XL’s D-Foam-RTMproduct name.

For more information, visitwww.clariant.com.