BASF Coatings opened a new production plant in São Paulo, Brazil, for the company's Suvinil architectural-coatings brand, a 6,000-square-meter facility built at a cost of 2 million euros, the company said.
Colwell Industries Inc., a supplier of color-sampling materials, has acquired the color-card operations of Communisis plc, also known as McCorquodale Color Card Co.
A new market report from Information Research Ltd. (IRL), London, estimates 2003 coatings demand in the Russian Federation at 880,000 metric tons, with domestic production accounting for 70% of the total and imports supplying the remaining 30%.
Akzo Nobel announced plans to separate its recently launched Nobilas Claims & Fleet Solutions, a business that manages the total auto accident-repair cycle, as a new, stand-alone business unit, effective April 1.
Akzo Nobel announced that Bill McPherson, general manager of the company's Powder Coatings business unit, will be appointed general manager of the Marine & Protective Coatings business unit.
Degussa's Coatings & Colorants Business Unit announced a reorganization of its Resins Business Line, an action the company said more closely aligns the product line with strategic market needs.
BASF said it has "largely completed" the first phase of a two-phase restructuring program for its operations in North America, with a second phase currently under way.