In the wake of recent offshore oil spills and with the growing popularity of fracking, in which water is used to release oil and gas from shale, there’s a need for easy, quick ways to separate oil and water.

Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez announced that he will re-establish the charter of the Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.

Sherwin-Williams has established a new business in Saudi Arabia, expanding its services in the Middle East.

Stephen Falder has been appointed the new Secretary General of the Nova Paint Club following the retirement of Peter Lovell, who has been in the role since 1993.

Sudarshan announced that William L. Baker will assume responsibility for the company’s North American Operations for the Industrial Division, responsible for pigments and effect pigments in the coatings, inks and plastics markets.

Brookfield has appointed Gerhard Baumann the new Managing Director for Brookfield GmbH headquartered in Lorch, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.

IMERYS Carbonates awarded the Top Sales Award for 2013 to specialty chemicals distributor Fitz Chem Corp.

Private equity firm Huron Capital Partners LLC and industry veteran Ray Chlodney have cofounded Valentus Specialty Chemicals Inc. (Valentus), a platform company in the specialty coatings industry. 

AkzoNobel inaugurated a new, highly efficient chlorine membrane electrolysis plant in the Rhein-Main area of Germany.

Emerald Specialties Group, a business group of Emerald Performance Materials, has completed an expansion of its R&D/pilot plant capabilities at its Cincinnati, OH, facility.