3M recently announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the do-it-yourself and professional business of GPI Group, a manufacturer and marketer of home improvement products.

Revenue was up 8%, to €4.1 billion (~ $5.8 billion), driven by volume and pricing, before adjusting for a currency headwind of 3%.

Sika Corp.’s Industry Products Division recently announced the establishment of a specialty sales and technical support group concentrating on the renewable energy sector.

PPG Industries recently reported sales for the 2011 second quarter of $4 billion, a 15% increase compared to the prior year’s second quarter.

Eastman Chemical Co. recently announced that it has extended its relationship with ChemPoint.com, an online distributor of fine and specialty chemicals.

RPM International Inc. recently reported double-digit gains in sales, net income and earnings per diluted share for its fiscal 2011 fourth quarter ended May 31, compared to the 2010 fourth quarter pro-forma results.

2011 marks the Year of Soybeans at the Indiana State Fair. Fairgoers will learn about soybeans and their uses in interactive exhibits and learning activities. Several of these of these

Nordson Corp. recently announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Value Plastics Inc., a leading designer and manufacturer of precision engineered, plastic molded, single-use fluid connection components.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council recently announced a call for entries for its 2011 Polyurethane Innovation Award.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., recently began construction on a new nonionic synthetic thickener manufacturing facility in Alizay, France.