According to the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the U.S. Chemical Production Regional Index (U.S. CPRI) rose by 0.7 percent in January, following a revised 0.9 percent gain in December.

Archer Daniels Midland Co., Decatur, IL, has promoted Gary Towne to the newly created role of President, Ethanol and Risk Management, in the company’s Corn business unit.

Lorama Inc., manufacturer of sustainable raw materials and color technology solutions for the coatings industry, has opened a new production and warehouse facility that will increase efficiency in manufacturing processes and enhance performance output.

Kent Fung has joined Sika’s Automotive Division as Senior Market Field Manager, Automotive.

Ted Meehan, Vice President of Sales for the Coatings Removers Division of Pico Chemical Corp., Chicago Heights, IL, recently recognized his 20-year anniversary with the company.

Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN, has signed a master agreement with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to conduct research in chemistry and materials science.

Elementis Specialties Inc. has agreed to purchase the assets of Hi-Mar Specialty Chemicals, a U.S. coatings additives company, for a cash consideration of $33 million.

Akzo Nobel N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, announced its fourth-quarter and full-year 2012 results.

The 40^th Annual Waterborne, High-Solids, and Powder Coatings Symposium took place February 4-8, 2013, in New Orleans.

Space satellites will be launched on a mission to observe worlds beyond the known solar system thanks to new plasma developed in the labs at Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK.