OM Group, Inc., Cleveland, announced that it has purchased Rahu Catalytics Limited, the developer of a unique iron ligand-based chemistry for use in environmentally friendly coatings, composites and inks from Unilever Ventures and Management.

Novamelt GmbH has acquired the remaining 49 percent share of Novamelt-Jowat LLC from Jowat Corp. and Jowat AG.

Miltec UV, Stevensville, MD, a leading manufacturer of high-performance UV-curing systems, announced that Bob Blandford, the company’s Senior Vice President, has been promoted to President.

The Battelle-R&D Magazine’s annual Global R&D Funding Forecast shows global research and development (R&D) spending is expected to grow by about 5.2 percent in 2012 to more than $1.4 trillion.

PPG Industries’ aerospace coatings group has commercialized the first electrocoat-application primer for global airframe manufacturers and subcontractors to coat parts for commercial, military and general-aviation aircraft.

Archway Sales Inc. has been named a regional distributor for Clariant Corp.’s Pigments Business Unit in North America.

Fischer Technology, Inc., an innovator of coating thickness, material testing, and material analysis instrumentation, announced the opening of an additional sales and service office located in San Mateo, CA.

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories Inc. has announced the launch of www.textureanalysis.com, a new informational Web site specifically focusing on the science of texture analysis.

Imagine if the next coat of paint you put on the outside of your home generates electricity from light — electricity that can be used to power the appliances and equipment on the inside.

The Dow Chemical Co. (Dow) announced that the SCG-Dow Group, a joint venture between Dow and Siam Cement Group, has finalized the start-up of its new propylene oxide (PO) facility in Thailand by successfully completing its full capacity performance test.