A judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by 25 New Jersey cities and counties against former manufacturers of lead paint and pigments, saying the municipalities should be responsible for enforcing laws that ensure buildings are properly maintained and free of hazards.

Attorneys representing the state of Rhode Island and the eight companies the state had targeted in a key lead-paint lawsuit offered sharply contrasting opinions on the potential impact of the mistrial that was declared after a jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case.

Hercules Inc. has given a new name - Pinova - to its Rosin and Terpene Specialties Division.

RPM International Inc. completed the previously announced reincorporation of RPM Inc. in Delaware.

Georgia Industrial Minerals Inc. has appointed Azalea Color Co., Atlanta, distributor of muscovite mica products in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Solutia Inc. announced plans to expand production capacity for phenolic coatings resins at the company's manufacturing plant in Wiesbaden, Germany.

PPG Industries Inc. said it won a seventh consecutive "R&D 100" award for the company's development of the lead-free FrameCoat electrodeposition primer for auto and light-truck chassis components.

Eastman Chemical Co. announced plans to close two ink varnish plants as part of a program to further consolidate manufacturing of products used in the ink and graphics-arts markets.

Arizona Chemical has appointed L.V. Lomas exclusive distributor of Arizona Chemical's oleochemical products in Canada.

Albermarle Corp. said its affiliate company Martinswerk GmbH will increase production capacity for fine precipitated aluminum hydroxide (ATH) at Martinswerk's plant in Bergheim, Germany.