The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public meeting September 6-7, 2007, in Arlington, VA, in line with its continuing effort to better understand the potential risks and benefits of nanotechnology. The meeting is to help develop EPA’s Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

MetoKote Corp., Inc., has added Shari Barta as strategic account manager representing MetoKote’s Deere and Co. Business. Barta will be based in Swisher, IA.

Enthone, Inc., a business of Cookson Electronics, has appointed Bioh Kim to process integration manager for Electronic Materials. Kim will be responsible for integrating new chemical processes into the products and applications of major device manufacturers, equipment manufacturers and foundries.

The board of directors of Valspar Corp. has elected William L. Mansfield, Valspar president and chief executive officer, to the additional role of chairman of the board, effective immediately. Mansfield succeeds Thomas R. McBurney, who has served as chairman for the past two years.

PPG Industries’ industrial coatings business has expanded and reorganized the coil and extrusion coatings marketing staff to enhance growth potential for PPG in this market. Responsibilities for the expanded function now include strategic development, market research, the creation of promotional literature and general support of the sales staff.

Stäubli Robotics has added two new painting robots to its product line - the RX160EX and the RX160EXL CS8C EX with cCSAus approval. The main features of the RX paint robots include an enclosed rigid structure, multiple mounting configurations, a large working envelope, and a small footprint.

Rohm and Haas Co. received the 2007 Hydro Sustainability Award during a recent conference held in Hafnersee, Austria. The award was presented by Dr. Karl-Henrik Róbert, founder of The Natural Step, a non-governmental organization that has pioneered an extensive set of principles to advance society toward sustainability.

Opera Paints®, a line of “environmentally responsible” paints and coatings imported from Italy, will make their debut in North America in September. The Opera line is being introduced by DDK Industries, Inc., of Los Angeles, CA.

MetroPaint, a 100% recycled latex paint, has received the first-ever recycled paint certification from Green Seal, an independent environmental standards certifying organization. Green Seal approval means that MetroPaint 100% Recycled Latex has undergone extensive environmental and performance testing.

Juan Jose Limón recently joined Wheelabrator Group as sales/service engineer in Mexico. In this position, Limón will provide technical assistance and account management to Wheelabrator customers in northern Mexico.