Several “green” raw materials suppliers for coatings spoke at Green Industrial Coating Asia 2013 about strengthening the research and development and promotion of bio-based products in coatings.

Clariant has acquired the Organic Pigment business of Jiangsu Multicolor Fine Chemical Co. Ltd. (JMC), based in Jiangsu Province, China.

AkzoNobel has announced plans to invest a total of more than €50 million in China to build new manufacturing facilities for its Powder Coatings and Decorative Paints businesses.

Henkel has inaugurated a new adhesives factory in Shanghai.

Atlas Material Testing Technology, a leader in weathering technology and services, has expanded its online presence.

The Plasma Coatings division of American Roller Co., Union Grove, WI, announced the start of production at its new facility located in the Baoshan District, Shanghai, China.

IMCD Group B.V. has acquired Singapore-based Paceco Industrial Supplies Pte. Ltd., a distributor of engineering and specialty plastics.

Worldwide demand for powder coatings has increased over the last few decades, due in part to their lower environmental impact when compared to other coatings.

According to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, China’s automobile production volume and sales volume in 2011 was 18.4189 million units and 18.5051 million units respectively, increasing by 0.84 percent and 2.45 percent.

PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, has donated RMB 900,000 (approximately $145,000) to the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University to help set up a Social Responsibility Research Fund through the Tsinghua University Education Foundation (TUEF).