ASTM Committee D01 on Paint and Related Coatings, Materials and Applications has issued an invitation to users of color specifications to participate in the development of a standard related to how a supplier and customer set a color specification for a material.

Eastman Chemical Co., Kingsport, TN, announced that its Accurate Dispersions division has received International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 certification by Quality Management Institute (QMI), an independent, third-party registrar.

Trilla-Nesco Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Trilla Steel Drum Corp. of Chicago and Nesco Container Corp. of Fenton, MO, announced an agreement in which Nesco will transfer its assets to Trilla-Nesco in lieu of a foreclosure.

The Dow Chemical Co. , announced the launch of a website offering information on raw materials used in the coatings, adhesives and sealants markets.

BASF Coatings has been named a General Motors Corp. Supplier of the Year, based on performance as a global supplier of automotive OEM coatings.

The ChemQuest Group Inc. and Robert J. Koch Associates L.L.C. announced the launch of a joint venture that the companies said will expand the range of business-consulting services offered by The ChemQuest Group.

People making headlines in the industry

Akzo Nobel Coatings has received a bronze award from Point of Purchase Advertising International for a retail point-of-purchase display promoting Akzo Nobel's Sikkens brand of wood-care products.

Southern Clay Products announced revisions to the company's U.S. distribution network with the appointments of Fitz Chem Corp. in the Chicago area and the Midwest, Ribelin Sales Inc. in the Southwest, and Palmer/Holland in Michigan.

Sico Inc., Longueuil, Quebec, has acquired PARA Inc., an architectural-coatings manufacturer based in Brampton, Ontario, in a transaction that Sico said makes it Canada's largest architectural-coatings manufacturer.