PPG has launched the first use of its next generation B1:B2 waterborne paint technology in the U.S. The next generation B1:B2 (wet-on-wet) compact process technology is currently in production at the BMW assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. This marks the first use of a waterborne compact process in a U.S. automotive manufacturing plant.

“We are proud to have launched this process as a first in the U.S.,” said Bob White, director, global accounts, BMW. “Our waterborne B1:B2 technology highlights our dedication to helping our customers reduce the overall paint shop footprint and environmental impact, while achieving superior appearance and maintaining color flexibility.”

In the traditional automotive paint process, the application of pretreatment and electrocoat is followed by a primer layer. After the primer layer is cured, a topcoat layer of basecoat and clearcoat is applied and cured. This process has become a focus of technical brainstorming, due to it being both costly and time consuming.

The next generation B1:B2 technology works within BMW’s Integrated Paint Process and allows the customer to reduce the number of steps necessary to paint a vehicle by moving the traditional primer application into the topcoat booth. This movement eliminates the dedicated primer booth and all related processing.

The B1 layer provides primer, filling, chip and durability benefits. The B2 layer provides color and additional durability. Both the B1 and B2 layers are applied wet-on-wet and do not require a baking or a heated dehydration process in between. The fewer processing steps results in reducing the overall energy usage and paint shop footprint.

Compact paint processes like the B1:B2 process from PPG generate savings in capital and operating costs for OEMs by reducing the manufacturing footprint of a paint shop, lowering energy consumption and increasing overall process efficiency.

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Rhodia has announced plans to acquire Feixiang Chemicals, China’s leading producer of amines and surfactants. The acquisition will enable Rhodia to integrate specialty amine technologies into its Novecare business portfolio. The combination of Rhodia’s formulation expertise and end-market applications with Feixiang Chemicals specialty amines capabilities will reinforce Rhodia’s position in specialty surfactants for the home and personal care, agrochemicals, oilfield and industrial markets.

“This acquisition is a key step in the implementation of Rhodia’s profitable growth strategy. Through the integration of Feixiang Chemicals, Rhodia significantly strengthens its leadership positions in the surfactant business, while enhancing its footprint in the world’s fastest growing region,” said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, chairman and CEO, Rhodia. “We aim to double the size of the acquired business within the next five years. Following the completion of this acquisition, Rhodia will generate around one third of its net sales in Asia.”

Headquartered in Zhangjiagang near Shanghai, Feixiang Chemicals Feixiang Chemicals is one of the leading companies in the Asia-Pacific area, producing, developing and selling the full range of fatty amines and specialty amines. It employs approximately 650 people. The company has demonstrated its ability to drive top line growth—average of 20% per year—while enhancing its profitability over the past five years.

The acquisition price is based on an enterprise value of $489 million for
100% of the company. The current majority owner will retain 12.5% of the capital over the next two years. The deal is expected to be finalized in the second half 2010.

Rhodia Novecare, with net sales of €827 million in 2009, provides high-performance products and solutions to a wide range of industries including cosmetics, detergents, agrochemicals and oil, as well as coating and industrial applications. Rhodia Novecare holds leading positions in the surfactants, phosphorus derivatives, natural polymers, synthetic polymers and monomers technologies, and eco-friendly oxygenated solvents markets.

Structured around six enterprises, Rhodia is the partner of major players in the automotive, electronics, flavors and fragrances, health, personal and home care markets, consumer goods and industrial markets. The group employs around 13,600 people worldwide and generated sales of €4.03 billion in 2009.

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William Wulfsohn, senior vice president of industrial coatings at PPG, is leaving the Pittsburgh-based paint firm to become president and CEO of Carpenter Technology Corp. in Eastern Pennsylvania effective June 11. Carpenter Technology said Wulfsohn, who has been a member of the company's board of directors, would replace interim president and CEO Gregory Pratt. PPG has not named a replacement. Wulfsohn has been a senior vice president since 2005 and was responsible for the company’s automotive, industrial and packaging coatings businesses, PPG’s Asia/Pacific region and information technology. Wulfsohn joined the company in 2003 as vice president of coatings and managing director for PPG Europe. Carpenter is a producer and distributer of specialty alloys, including high temperature stainless steels, powder products, specialty tool and die steels, titanium alloys and super alloys. The company reported third quarter sales, for the period ended March 31, of $336.9 million. "Carpenter has maintained a strong financial and industry position over its 125 year history," Wulfsohn said in a written statement. "I am honored to be a part of this great company, and look forward to our exciting future; one in which we have the opportunity to grow our presence across the world and expand the breadth of our offerings to diverse industries."

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RPM International's Performance Coatings Group has acquired Hummervoll Industribelegg AS, a supplier and installer of industrial flooring systems based in Bergen, Norway, with annual sales of more than $11 million. Hummervoll, founded in 1980 by Per Hummervoll, serves both onshore and offshore markets with its concrete- and epoxy-based flooring systems. Its onshore division primarily focuses on the food, manufacturing and chemical industries. The offshore division provides flooring solutions for oil platforms, barricade decks and emergency escape routes.

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BASF's proposed acquisition of Cognis is entering its final stages with a deal ‘agreed in principle,’ according to the newspaper Financial Times Deutschland (FTD). The main conditions of the deal and the price have been agreed, but no announcement is expected before the middle of this month. Permira and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners— Cognis’ co-owners—are looking for roughly €3.5 billion ($4.68 billion) for Cognis, including the company’s €2 billion of debt, FTD reported.

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BASF's proposed acquisition of Cognis is entering its final stages with a deal ‘agreed in principle,’ according to the newspaper Financial Times Deutschland (FTD). The main conditions of the deal and the price have been agreed, but no announcement is expected before the middle of this month. Permira and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners— Cognis’ co-owners—are looking for roughly €3.5 billion ($4.68 billion) for Cognis, including the company’s €2 billion of debt, FTD reported.

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AkzoNobel has officially completed its acquisition of the Dow Chemical's powder coatings business. The deal was first announced in November last year. Originally purchased by Dow in 2009 as part of its acquisition of Rohm and Haas, the business brings key technological know-how and synergy potential to AkzoNobel’s powder coatings activities. It will also enhance the company’s position in the US. The acquired business has global sales of several hundred million dollars and employs approximately 700 people, operating factories in the U.S., Europe and China. As well as complementing AkzoNobel’s position in key strategic markets—especially the U.S., automotive and trade coaters—the deal also introduces MDF and thermoplastic capabilities to AkzoNobel’s powder coatings portfolio.

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Dunn-Edwards has introduced Bloc-Rust Premium metal primer in white and red oxide that uses an advanced waterborne alkyd technology. It offers corrosion resistance and adhesion on a variety of interior and exterior ferrous and non-ferrous metal surfaces. This alkyd emulsion formula provides the superior application properties of an oil-based primer, according to the company. It is easy to apply and has excellent flow and leveling for a smooth finish. Unlike an oil-based primer, it is low odor and fast drying. To demonstrate performance, ferrous metal panels were primed with Bloc-Rust Premium and other leading water-based rust inhibitive primers. The panels were exposed to continuous salt air and fog conditions that simulate exposure to corrosion-inducing conditions for 12 months. The test results showed Bloc-Rust Premium resisted rust and corrosion development better than any of the competing brands, according to the company. Bloc-Rust Premium does not contain ethylene glycol (EG), which the company removed from its paint formulas in 1984.

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Muralo has introduced Breathe Safe Water-based Zero VOC Interior Primer. Formulated with no harmful solvents, Muralo Breathe Safe Interior Primer seals unpainted and painted drywall, plaster and wood trim and it’s specified for space that is occupied during painting. Muralo Breathe Safe is a virtually odorless, water-based latex, based on a sustainable chemistry technology. It meets or exceeds Green Seal and LEED green building requirements. It is ideal for nursing homes, schools, babies’ rooms and health care facilities, as well as the hotel/motel industries. Also available in the Breathe Safe line are the Flat, Eggshell and Semi-Gloss wall finishes, which can be tinted to any color, and a Ceiling White Paint.

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Bredero Shaw, the pipe coating division of ShawCor Ltd., has received a contract with a value in excess of $90 million from Corus UK Limited to provide pipeline coatings for the Total E&P UK Ltd. Laggan-Tormore project. Laggan-Tormore is an offshore gas field, which lies 125 km north-west of the Shetland Islands in water depths of up to 600 meters. The work will be executed at the Bredero Shaw pipe coating facility in Leith, Scotland. This contract involves coating approximately 298 km of 18" and 241 km of 30" pipe that will be protected with three-layer polypropylene anticorrosion coating, internal flow efficiency coating and concrete weight coating. Coating will commence during the fourth quarter of 2010.

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