Glasurit: This company has developed a color archive for classic cars that is constantly being expanded by new colors. The new service was put in place to help classic car fans restore older vehicles to their original pristine state.

Eastman Chemical Co.: This company recently introduced two specialty additives for coatings: Advantis 510W and Solus 2100. Advantis 510W is a new alkylphenolethoxylate- (APEO) and halogen-free adhesion promoter for waterborne automotive coatings, particularly complex bumper designs. Solus 2100 is a new rheology additive for high-solids industrial two-component (2K) paint systems.

Atlas Material Testing Technology LLC has hired Dr. David Dumbleton as a senior technical consultant for the newly created Atlas Consulting Group. Dumbleton will lend his expertise in environmental durability and performance to a number of Atlas customers, as well as focus on growing the North American consulting services group.

Nuplex Resins, Louisville, KY, has announced a price increase for all coating resins sold in North America, effective June 4, 2007. The increase will range from 2 to 7% and will affect all solvent-based and waterborne products, including alkyds, acrylics, polyesters, emulsions and amino resins.

A new 2800-m² extension to Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes International Research Center in Bangalore, India was opened in March. The 2.6 million euro extension more than doubles the size of the research center, which became operational in 2002.

NSL Analytical Services is relocating its operations to a newly renovated, state-of-the art facility in the Cranwood Industrial Park of Warrensville Heights, OH. The move to the 31,800 ft² building will enable NSL to consolidate all its testing operations under one roof.

Inconsistencies in the density, moisture level, heat distortion temperature and porosity of MDF substrates have led to various problems related to the appearance and quality of powder coated finishes. Fortunately, continued advances in low-temperature-cure powder coatings, along with a better understanding of the various factors that affect coating quality, are making it possible to overcome these problems and achieve trouble-free application and a uniform finish on MDF.

The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has launched its latest report, "Test Method for Conformal Coating Protection Performance of Electronic Assemblies in Harsh Environments." The report describes new developments in a test method for assessing conformal coating protection performance on electronic assemblies using the surface insulation resistance (SIR) technique.

Ecosphere Technologies, Inc., a provider of clean air and water technology solutions, has sold two additional units of the Ecosphere Remote Operating Vehicle (E-ROV) coating removal robots under its exclusive distribution agreement with Jian Huang Engineering Pte, Ltd. of Singapore.

Akzo Nobel has begun accepting nominations for the 2007 Most Influential Women (MIW) in the Collision Repair Industry. The 2007 awards event will be held in November at the magnificent Wynn Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.