PPG Industries Inc. announced a $2.7 billion agreement in what is being called one of the largest asbestos settlements in U.S. corporate history, involving products made by the company's affiliate business, Pittsburgh Corning.

The NPCA is asking coatings manufacturers to submit comments to the U.S. EPA on its proposed National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Miscellaneous Organic processes, commonly referred to as the MON.

DSM Desotech Inc. announced the start-up of operations at a new production facility for UV-cure coating materials and other specialty products in Stanley, NC.

DuPont White Pigment & Mineral Products, the world's biggest supplier of titanium dioxide (TiO2) pigments, announced a change in the business's name to DuPont Titanium Technologies.

Reichhold Inc. has completed the sale of its Swift Adhesives business to Forbo Holding AG of Switzerland.

General Electric Co.'s GE Specialty Materials completed the acquisition of the water-treatment services business of BetzDearborn from Hercules Inc. for $1.8 billion in cash.

First-quarter financial reports from major coatings manufacturers suggest that the uneven pace of the economic recovery is resulting in subdued growth in key coatings markets, with the industrial sector appearing to lag behind the architectural segment in rebounding from the 2001 downturn.

People making headlines this month

RPM Inc. has named Richard M. Wilson, a longtime executive with The Sherwin-Williams Co., president of RPM's Carboline Co. business.

Palmer Supplies Co., located in Cleveland, announced a merger with Harry Holland Co., based in Detroit, in a deal that combines two Midwestern regional distributors.