Stronger economic expansions worldwide, industrial activity that appeared to be in recovery mode and recent cost-reduction and restructuring moves combined to give most major coatings manufacturers an improved bottom line for 2003.
The NPCA and its Political Action Committee, PaintPAC, announced the launch of a bipartisan political initiative with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, called www.VOTE FOR BUSINESS.com.
BASF AG, saying sales growth in the chemicals sector is expected to trail global economic growth over the next decade, announced revisions in its business strategy and introduced a new corporate logo, and said it will direct its biggest investments at businesses that deliver the greatest profitability.
DuPont Co. and Kansai Paint Ltd. of Japan agreed to terminate their automotive-coatings joint-venture relationships, citing "incompatible global strategies." The companies did not provide further details or comment on the action.
The United Nations' Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) has recommended consultative status for the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC), an alliance of coatings and ink manufacturing associations from around the world.