BASF plans to begin production of 1,4-butanediol based on renewable feedstock (renewable BDO) using the patented process of Genomatica, San Diego, CA.

Bayer MaterialScience intends to focus its development activities more intently on topics that are closely linked to its core business.

Evonik Industries recently awarded Chem-Materials Co. its Distributor of the Year award for highest percentage sales growth in 2012.

AkzoNobel intends to concentrate its Dutch-based management personnel in a new office building in the Zuidas business district of Amsterdam by the end of 2015.

Troy Corp., Florham Park, NJ, has won the Ringier Technology Innovation Award for Additives in China’s coatings industry.

Oxea, a leading global supplier of oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives, reported an earnings increase for the first quarter of 2013 compared with the first quarter of 2012.

PPG Industries has completed its previously announced acquisition of certain assets of Deft Incorporated, a privately-owned specialty coatings company based in Irvine, CA.

Smithers Rapra is offering a new quarterly peer-reviewed journal, Applied Polymer Composites.

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) has won three awards for its ascouncil.org website in the 2013 Hermes Creative Awards competition, sponsored by the Association for Marketing and Communications Professionals (AMCP).

KODA Distribution Group, a leading specialty chemical distributor, has acquired EW Kaufmann, headquartered in Bristol, PA.