Oil prices that recently hit their highest price levels in two years have sent a wave of price-hike moves through downstream markets, including resins and other raw materials used in coatings.

Zehntner Instruments has appointed Avian Group USA, Wilmington, OH, sales representative in North America for paint and paper measurement instruments.

A Massachusetts state representative has filed legislation that would impose a 5% tax on the sale of paint to provide funding for a newly created "Lead Paint Abatement Assistance Fund," the NPCA reported.

Chemcentral Corp. announced a definitive agreement to acquire the Specialty Additives business of The C.P. Hall Co., a purchase that Chemcentral said will expand its distribution of specialty chemicals in the Midwest.

Celanese AG completed the acquisition of Clariant AG's European emulsions and global emulsion powders business.

PPG Industries Inc. announced that Dennis A. Kovalsky, vice president, Aerospace, will become vice president, Automotive Coatings.

The EPA formally issued major changes to clean air rules for utilities, refineries and manufacturers in an action supported by industry groups including the NPCA.

ICI Paints said its Glidden brand has been named "Vendor Partner of the Year" by the Home Depot for the fourth time in the past five years.

The Solvay Group announced the launch of a new company as a result of the integration of its fluoropolymers activities with those of Ausimont, which was acquired by Solvay in May of 2002.

Huntsman Tioxiderecently started production at a new, 58 million-pound ($92 million) "ICON 2" titanium dioxide (TiO2) production plant at the company's Greatham, U.K., site.