Wacker Chemie AG has bestowed this year’s Alexander Wacker Innovation Award on Christian Daniels, John Boylan and Bruce Gruber. The WACKER researchers have developed two novel dispersions based on vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymers.

In a new study, Brown University engineers report that when they used selenium nanoparticles to coat polycarbonate, the material of catheters and endotracheal tubes, the results were significant reductions in cultured populations of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, sometimes by as much as 90 percent.

ASTM International, in support of recent public-private dialogues (particularly those hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy) on the management of rare earth minerals, will be hosting an organizational meeting for the establishment of a new ASTM standards activity on rare earth minerals.

Following a strong fourth quarter in 2011, the U.S. economy started 2012 on firm ground with gains in consumer spending, manufacturing output and housing. Those positive gains appear to be eroding, according to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Mid-Year 2012 Situation and Outlook.

The American Coatings Association (ACA) announced the election of two new officers to its Board of Directors.

Nanoledge, a Telesystem portfolio company, has sold its high-performance resin business to AXSON, a company specializing in high-performance polymer formulation.

CeralUSA LLC, a manufacturer of environmentally friendly coatings for the aerospace, power generation, and oil and gas industries, announced the appointments of Doug Ellsworth as Manager of Operations and Greg Engleman as Manager of Engineering.

Tank Holding Corp. (THC), which includes leading polyethylene tank manufacturers Snyder Industries and Norwesco, was acquired by Leonard Green & Partners L.P. (LGP) and the executive management team.

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC) questioned the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) commitment to a consensus-based approach in the development of its LEED rating system and as a result urged the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to not recommend it as the green certification standard for the federal government.

Huntsman Corp. has acquired the remaining ownership of Russian joint venture Huntsman NMG (HNMG), giving it full ownership of the company.