NYCO Minerals Inc., Calgary, Alberta, is marking its 50th year of operation in 2003.

BASF Coatings, Southfield, MI, said it has been named a “best in class” global supplier by Valeo, a major automotive-parts manufacturer.

Noveon Inc., Cleveland, announced the start-up of operations at the company’s first performance-coatings manufacturing plant and applications lab in China.

MD-Both Industries and Wolstenholme International Inc. have appointed Tartan Color & Chemical, Mississauga, Ontario, sales representative for water-based carbon-black dispersion products in Canada.

The Solvay Group announced the launch of a new company

Peninsula Polymers Inc. announced the launch of a North America distribution joint venture

Kerr-McGee Chemical L.L.C. said process modifications in the company's titanium dioxide (TiO2) operations will boost production capacity at two U.S. chloride-process TiO2 manufacturing plants.

ICI Paints announced a five-year agreement with Habitat for Humanity International to become the "national preferred provider" of paint to the organization, which builds homes for low-income people.

Neville Chemical Co. announced a name change

Akzo Nobel's Decorative Coatings North America business unit has assumed direct responsibility for North American marketing and manufacturing of the company's Synteko brand of premium wood-floor coatings.