LANXESS, Pittsburgh, recently announced the completion of de-bottlenecking operations for its MESAMOLL^® plasticizer and other alkyl sulfonic ester derivative plasticizers.

Krayden Inc., a leading distributor of engineered materials, has been named 2008 Distributor of the Year by the Dow Corning Americas Electronics Channel Team. The company was also honored with GOLD level status for 2008.

Plasticolors Inc., Ashtabula, OH, has announced an expanded sales territory for Cleveland-based Specialty Chemical Sales that includes coatings colorant sales for most customers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Wisconsin.

The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Ciba Holding AG by BASF.

The Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) has announced a search for committed individuals for its board of directors.

ChemInstruments, Fairfield, OH, has announced the acquisition of the manufacturing and distribution rights to the CAM-Plus contact angle meters formerly produced by the Tantec Group.

R.E. Carroll Inc., Trenton, NJ, has announced a distribution agreement with Pergan Marshall LLC to sell their Peroxan organic peroxides in North America to the adhesives industry.

Pilot Chemical Co., Cincinnati, has announced the appointment of David Ligon to its board of directors.

Emerald Kalama Chemical, Cuyahoga Falls, OH, has appointed Shamsi P.Gravel as product line manager for its K-Flex^® Plasticizers.

Hector Diaz-Stringel has been named president and general manager of Rhein Chemie Corp.