The New York Times reports that Wall Street and European markets rose Thursday following better-than-expected earnings reports from Ford, Wyeth, and AT&T.

3M today announced second quarter earnings of $1.12 per share on sales of $5.7 billion, with operating income margins of 20.8%.

Henkel has improved 20 places in the annual survey of the world’s 500 highest-revenue companies published by the U.S. business magazine Fortune. In the overall ranking, Henkel holds position number 448 compared to 468 last year.

SBC Polymers Consulting, a new consulting group consisting of world-renowned experts in styrene block copolymer applications, rheology and product development, was recently announced. 

The Associated Press reports that the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plans to close its tire plant in the Philippines by Sept. 30, thus eliminating 500 jobs.

tesa tape inc., an affiliate of tesa SE, a global leader in the manufacture and supply of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes, has announced the availability of products for the solar energy industry.

Bloomberg.com reports that Total SA has officially confirmed an explosion at its Carling, France, petrochemicals plant in which Agence France-Press claimed two people died.

www.GoBlueRidge.Net reports that Adhezion Biomedical LLC will create 20 new jobs over the next three years as they expand their services to Hudson, NC.

The U.S. Senate recently approved legislation that would extend existing chemical security standards for one more year.

The Associated Press reports that Moline, IL-based Deere & Co. has completed legal requirements to establish a farm equipment manufacturing joint venture with Ashok Leyland Limited in India.