BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany, said it has been named a chemical-industry leader in innovation in a Fortune magazine listing of the world's most-admired companies

Sun Chemical Corp. announced an agreement to acquire Bayer Corp.'s organic pigments business located at Bushy Park, SC. Completion of the deal was expected by April 1.

Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals announced an agreement to sell its methacrylates monomer business to Sartomer Corp., based in Exton, PA, for undisclosed amount.

The Detroit Society for Coatings Technology announced program plans for the group's annual FOCUS conference, scheduled for May 2 at the MSU Management Education Center, Troy, MI.

A Maryland judge ordered the dismissal of most of the claims in a lead-paint lawsuit filed on behalf of six children affected by lead poisoning in Baltimore.

Sun Chemical Corp. announced that President Wes Lucas would succeed Henri Dyner as CEO and said Lucas will retain the title of president.

CDF Corp., Plymouth, MA, has acquired the assets of the Uniroyal Drum Pal drum-cover business.

Akzo Nobel Coatings has boosted its stake in the Greek paint company Vivechrom by 25%, from 51% to 76%.

Heubach GmbH announced the acquisition of certain assets of Bayer AG's Lightfast Pigment business, including manufacturing equipment and intellectual property.

Mohamed S. El-Aasser, dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science at Lehigh University, will receive the prestigious Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings for 2002.