American Chemistry Council (ACC) Vice President of Federal Affairs Marty Durbin testified before the House Committee on Homeland Security during a legislative hearing today on the Chemical Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

Reuters reports that General Motors has reached a deal to sell Saab Automotive to Sweden’s Koenigsegg, a niche manufacturer of sports cars that cost $1 million each.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Clariant its New Chemicals Program P2 Recognition Project Award for the company’s Exolit^® OP 560, a new-generation, non-halogenated flame-retardant.

Huntsman Corp., The Woodlands, TX, has announced the appointment of Daniele Ferrari as president of its Performance Products division.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Vericol Inc., a producer of adhesives and sealants owned by Chemence Inc., was recently investigated by the Dalton Fire Department and the Georgia Occupational Safety and Health Administration for an alleged safety code violation at its chemical manufacturing plant in Dalton, GA.

BBC News reports that a team of German scientists has been credited with the discovery of a new “super-heavy” element, soon to be atomic number 112 on the periodic table.

CNN.com reports that Chrysler and Fiat have officially closed a deal brokered by the U.S. government to form Chrysler Group LLC.

The Kansas City Star reports that layoffs at Sika Corp.’s Grandview, MO, factory appear to be permanent in the wake of the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies.

Dow Corning has announced plans to transform its business strategy to help customers be more efficient, innovative and sustainable as they navigate dynamic economic, social, and environmental megatrends.

The Dow Chemical Co. has formed a new business unit focused on the coatings market following Dow’s acquisition of Rohm and Haas in April 2009.