Celanese AG announced an agreement to acquire the European emulsions and global emulsion powders business of Clariant AG for approximately 147 million euros, or about $145 million (U.S.).

Akzo Nobel Coatings has acquired a 50% stake in Industrial de Acabados S.A. de C.V. (INDA), reported to be the largest powder-coatings producer in Mexico.

RPM Inc. announced the appointment of Frank C. Sullivan as CEO, and said Sullivan will retain the titles of president and chief operating officer.

Rohm and Haas Automotive Coatings started construction of a new, 46,000-square-foot Technical Research Center in Lansing, MI, with completion scheduled for mid-2003.

John H. "Bud" Ferring III, founder and retired president of Plaze Inc., an aerosol-product packaging company located in St. Clair, MO, died Sept. 16 of complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Cleveland Steel Container Corp. has acquired the steel-pail business of Norton Packaging Inc., Hayward, CA.

Ferro Corp. completed the sale of its Powder Coatings business unit in separate transactions with Akzo Nobel N.V. and Rohm and Haas Co., with the sale valued at approximately $160 million including the assumption of "certain liabilities" by the two acquiring companies.

Ian C. Edwards, Global Business director, DuPont Titanium Technologies, will deliver the keynote address at TiO2 2003, Intertech's eighth international titanium dioxide forum and business-development conference.

Chemir/Polytech Laboratories Inc., St. Louis, announced a name change to Chemir Analytical Services, a move the company said reflects increased sales and services, and an expanded technical staff.

The Product Stewardship Institute, based at the University of Massachusetts/Lowell, has launched the "Paint Product Stewardship Project," a program aimed at bringing key parties together to jointly address issues related to leftover-paint management.