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Catalysts

PPG to acquire Colombia coatings business

PPG Industries has agreed to purchase the coatings businesses of Colpisa Colombiana de Pinturas, a privately-owned Colombian coatings company, and its affiliates, including Colpisa Ecuador. The transaction is expected to close no later than the end of the first quarter 2012, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, the company said.

Dow to build plants for polyolefin encapsulant films in Thailand, Germany

Dow Chemical will build two new manufacturing plants in 2012 for its ENLIGHT polyolefin encapsulant films, with one in Map Ta Phut, Thailand, and another in Schkopau, Germany. Together, these sites will more than triple capacity for making specialty films used in photovoltaic modules, and will significantly expand Dow’s ability to supply encapsulant films worldwide, the company said.

Eastman buys US specialty chemical firm Dynaloy

Eastman Chemical has acquired the assets of Dynaloy, a specialty chemical business based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

AkzoNobel to buy China specialty surfactants firm Boxing Oleochemicals

AkzoNobel has agreed to acquire China-based Boxing Oleochemicals, allowing it to strengthen its position in specialty surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia, company officials said.

FMC to acquire Europe persulfates business of RheinPerChemie

US-based chemicals firm FMC Corp. has agreed to acquire the European persulfates business of RheinPerChemie GmbH from Unionchimica SpA. The acquisition will strengthen FMC Peroxygens' global reach by establishing a market position for persulfates in Europe, company officials said.

Honeywell to expand Louisiana plant to produce low-global-warming blowing agent

Honeywell will invest $33 million in its Baton Rouge, La., manufacturing facility – one of the leading suppliers of refrigerants in the U.S. – to produce a low-global-warming material used in insulation and aerosols.

Axens, Gentas to build hydroprocessing catalyst plant in Saudi Arabia

Axens and Shoaibi Group company GENTAS will build a world-scale hydroprocessing catalyst production plant in Saudi Arabia.

AkzoNobel to buy German coatings firm Schramm

AkzoNobel has struck a deal to acquire coatings manufacturer Schramm and the coatings activities operated by Schramm's largest shareholder, Korean company SSCP.

KBR, Shell to align on hydroprocessing technology

KBR and Shell have formed a new alliance in which KBR will market, sell and provide technology and design packages with Shell for hydroprocessing solutions worldwide.

NOx control market to hit record level in 2011 – consultants

The market for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems and replacement catalysts will reach a record $7.6 billion in 2011, according to the latest forecast from US-based consultancy McIlvaine Co.