The PRA Coatings Technology Centre, UK, has announced two conferences of interest to coatings manufacturers and formulators.

Michelman, a leading manufacturer of water-based coatings for paperboard and performance-enhancing additives for industrial applications, is unveiling a new brand identity, corporate tagline and marketing campaign designed to raise the company's profile and communicate its value proposition to customers.

WACKER has opened a new technical center, located in Jandira, Brazil, which is being situated on the premises of the existing sales office and production facility.

Arkema Inc. announced that its Additives Business received an R&D 100 Award for two products that control the self-polishing behavior of marine antifoulant paints, preventing organism growth on the hulls of seagoing ships.

ALTANA Chemie AG, the Chemicals division of ALTANA AG, has signed an agreement to acquire Kelstar International

Barloworld Ltd. of South Africa has signed an agreement with the owners of Midas Paints (Pty.) Ltd., trading as Midas Earthcote, to acquire the company for a cash consideration of approximately R40 million.

Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc., a leading global supplier of analytical instrumentation, has entered into a partnership with Ion Signature Technology, Inc.

ELECTROCOAT 2006, a biennial conference, serves the needs of those involved in electrocoating, from the line operator to the president/owner.

The ChemQuest Group, Inc., and TZ Minerals International Pty. Ltd. (TZMI), Australia, have formed a marketing alliance of their consulting practices.

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