The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new criteria to help companies and other groups, such as states and environmental organizations, identify safer chemicals.

A report by Lux Research, titled “Nanotech’s Answer Key to the Energy Problem,” quantifies the potential impact that six nanotechnology innovations could have on energy consumption in three representative regions: the United States, Germany and Japan.

A research team from the UMass Amherst Chemical Engineering department reports in the November 26 issue of Science that it has developed a way to produce high-volume chemical feedstocks, including benzene, toluene, xylenes and olefins, from pyrolytic bio-oils, the cheapest liquid fuels available today derived from biomass.

Evonik Degussa Corp. announced the appointment of Bonnie Tully as Vice President and Site Manager for the company’s Mobile, AL, operations.

Steve Randall has joined Archway Sales Inc. as a member of the Customer Service team for the St. Louis branch.

Robert Quesnette has been appointed Gaco Western’s Regional Sales Manager for Gaco’s WallFoam division covering New England.

OMG Americas has hired Christopher Niblock as Regional Account Manager for the Midwest territory.

BASF has appointed Michael McHenry Vice President, Resins and Additives, in North America.

Shaun Julian has joined E.W. Kaufmann Co.

Antoine Fady has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flint Group.