Greater Toronto REALTORS Report March Resale Market Figures
Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 10,430 sales through the Multiple Listing Service in March, pushing total first quarter 2010 sales to 22,418 - the best result on record under the current Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) boundaries. The average price for March transactions was $434,696. The average price for the first quarter was $427,948.
"The strong rebound in the existing home market was one of the initial drivers of economic recovery," says TREB President Tom Lebour. "While we don't expect to see the same rates growth moving forward, GTA households will remain confident in ownership housing as a quality long-term investment, especially as economic recovery expands across all industries."
The annual rate of growth for new listings continued to accelerate in March. The number of new listings grew by 42 per cent compared to March of 2008.
"The average home price in the GTA will continue to grow this year, but the pace will slow as we move through the spring," said Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "As growth in new listings starts to outstrip growth in sales, buyers will experience more choice, resulting in more sustainable single digit rates of average price growth."
GTA REALTORS Reporting October Mid-Month Housing Statistics
In the first two weeks of October, Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 3,631 sales - up 34 per cent compared to the first two weeks of October 2008. The average price for these transactions was up 17 per cent year-over-year to $414,479.
"While demand for existing homes has remained strong, it is important to recognize the context of current statistics. We are now making comparisons to the fall of 2008 when we experienced a marked decline in sales and average price," said TREB President Tom Lebour.
Year-to-date sales, at 69,964 are up six per cent compared to 2008. Average price, at $389,687, is up by two per cent.
"Tight market conditions throughout the GTA will continue to exert upward pressure on home prices in the fourth quarter," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis. "Expect more listings in 2010 as home owners react to the price gains experienced in the second half of 2009."
GTA Realtors Reporting September Resale Market Figures
In September 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS reported 8,196 sales, up 28 per cent from September 2008. The average price for September transactions was $406,877 - up by 10 per cent compared to the same month last year.
"We have experienced an increasing rate of existing home price growth in the GTA as sales have continued to outpace 2008 results," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "Consumers have remained confident in ownership housing as a long-term investment."
Year-to-date sales, at 66,437 were up 4.5 per cent compared to the first nine months of 2008. Average price, at $388,417 was up by almost 1.5 per cent.
"Existing home sales will finish strong this year, pushing through the 80,000 mark and moving in line with some of the best years on record under the current TREB market area," according to Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
GTA REALTORS Report August Mid-Month Resale Market Figures
In the first two weeks of August 2009, Greater Toronto REALTORS(R) reported 3,832 sales - up 27 per cent compared to the first two weeks of August 2008. The average price for these transactions was up three per cent year-over-year to $383,796.
"The results for the first half of August indicate that many households in the GTA remain confident in their ability to purchase and pay for a home over the long term," said TREB President Tom Lebour.
Year-to-date sales, at 54,303 are up slightly compared to 54,138 in 2008. Average price, at $385,603 is down by less than one half of one per cent.
"Strong resale housing demand will contribute to broader economic recovery as
each transaction results in substantial spin-off benefits to other sectors of the economy," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
Toronto Real Estate Board: GTA Realtors Report Sales Up First Two Weeks of July
In the first two weeks of July, Greater Toronto Realtors reported 4,437 sales up 27 per cent compared to the first two weeks of July 2008. The average price for these transactions was up four per cent year-over-year to $394,750.
"The resurgence in home ownership demand experienced in the spring has continued into the summer. Home buyers continued to take advantage affordable market conditions in the first half of July," said TREB President Tom Lebour. "If the mid-month results carry forward, we may see the best July on record."
Year-to-date sales, at 45,213 are down four per cent compared to 2008. Average price, at $384,645 is down one per cent.
"The GTA housing market has held up very well this year given the current economic climate, especially relative to past economic slow-downs," explained Jason Mercer, TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis.
"The cost of borrowing has been key. With inflation in check, the Bank of Canada has been able to aggressively lower interest rates - an option that wasn't available in the early 1990s or early 1980s."
TOSCOT / OPA Golf Tournament
Doug Parsons of the OPA
TOSCOT and the Ontario Paint Association (OPA) combined forces on the links for the first time June 2, 2009, at the Ontario paint industry golf tournament held at Glen Eagle Golf Club in Bolton, ON. Over 120 golfers participated.
Lowest Team Score -10 was R.M. Ferguson & Co. Inc. In photo from left: Jacqueline Moore presents the Winning team trophy to Andrew Jackson, Dave Jackson, Steve Nuyten (presenter), Fraser Base and Mike Cadden. Photos by Pete Wilkinson
Other winners were: Closest to the Pin (Male) Jim Speck;
Closest to the Pin (Female) Lynn Lavoie;
Longest Drive (Male) Andrew Jackson;
Longest Drive (Female) Liz Wight. A good day was had by all.
96TH CPCA Convention a Capital Idea
The intent of holding the 96th Annual Canadian Paint and Coating Association (CPCA) Convention in Ottawa was partially derailed by the Federal Election that made for some last minute scrambling for the organizers to secure a new dinner location and keynote speaker on very short notice.
The activities began Saturday September 13, 2008, with an opening reception at The National Arts Centre overlooking the Rideau Canal.
Sunday morning Brian Edwards DuPont Canada, CPCA Chair, noted in his opening address that the convention “has been designed to share knowledge that is critical to our industry’s success. I refer to knowledge that helps us choose between alternatives and find solutions in a changing environment, but a company and the industry needs more than knowledge to be sustainable, to succeed, it needs judgment and it needs leadership and for these, as an industry, we turn to the CPCA”. Brian explained how the CPCA is now recognized by the Government and other stakeholders as the voice of the Canadian paint and coating industry as it has moved from a “traditional” issue based organization, to a proactive, analytical based organization utilizing scientific, economic, social and other forms of analysis that are the basis of our government relations and issue management strategies. He challenged attendees to “better serve this industry by reaching out, by contributing, by serving”.
John Baird Minister of The Environment was scheduled to give The Keynote Presentation, but due to the election was replaced by CTV Political Commentator Mike Duffy. Duffy recommended that the industry work with their local MPs toward fostering a grass roots understanding of the changes and challenges that are facing the paint industry by inviting them to their operations to show how they are changing and discuss the future needs of the industry.
Edward J. Donnelly, Chair of the International Paint and Printing Ink Council (IPPIC) gave an overview of the worldwide paint and coating industry. The 2007 Global output was 27 Billion Liters valued at $85 Billion US. The 2007-2012 forecast is for a 4.3 per cent increase in value and a 5 per cent increase in volume. The fastest growing markets are in Asia and Eastern Europe. Europe and Asia each represent a 32 per cent market share, North America 26 per cent (Canada 2 per cent), Latin America 5 per cent and the rest of the World (ROW) 6 per cent. The 2007-2012 Forecast for North America is for volume to grow .8 per cent and 1.9 per cent in value.
The top 10 Coating manufacturers in 2007 had sales of 48.5 per cent representing over 1/2 of the world production. The 2008 top 10 value will be even higher with the Akzo Nobel and PPG acquisitions.
The industry will continue to face challenges that will be met by innovation and new technologies. Growth will come from sustainable systems such as UV/Radiation cure, waterborne and powder coatings. The development of smart coatings such as antibacterial coatings and nano technology will provide abrasive and scratch resistant coatings and primers and self healing coatings.
Andy Doyle, President National Paint and Coating Association (NPCA) stated that the US Coatings market has an annual value of $20 Billion but in the first 6 months of 2008 US housing spending was down 5.4 per cent which lead to a decline in architectural coatings, while OEM coatings were holding their own based on strong US manufacturing exports. The Canadian market in 2007 produced .5 billion liters with a value of $2 Billion US. 2002-2007 the Canadian value grew 6 per cent on a volume growth of 4 per cent. The Canadian 2007-2012 growth is forecast at 3.5 per cent to over $2.2 billion. The NAFTA cross border trade in coatings has risen 53 per cent in 5 years to $2.6 billion with the US/Canadian share representing $2 Billion.
The Canadian Chemical industry has also gone through major market changes. Canadian chemical imports over the past 5 years has risen by $5 billion, but imports from the USA have been flat with US market share declining from 66 to 60 per cent of Canadian imports. Similarly, Canadian chemical exports have risen from $22 billion to $33 billion but the US has declined from 81 per cent (2004) to 70 per cent (2007) of the total Canadian chemical export.
The industry faces a major challenge with increasing raw material costs rising 40 per cent from February 2007 to June 2008 with the prepared paint number only rising 10 per cent.
Chemical controls are another major issue facing the chemical industry. The European Union launched a new program REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Assessment of Chemicals) this year and the NAFTA partners agreed in principle in 2007 to the Montebello Agreement to foster cooperation on chemical management schemes to enhance trade, and protect public health and the environment.
Green product manufacturing and marketing will undergo major changes as the regulatory and consumer demand increases and government undertakes a review of “green” marketing claims.
CPCA President Jim Quick updated the convention on the Ministry of the Environment VOC Regulations for AIM (Architectural, Industrial and Maintenance ) Coatings. Gazette I was passed in April in 2008 with consultation with the CPCA who acted proactively with the Government to mitigate some of the consequences of the original regulatory proposals. Gazette II was expected to pass in the 4th quarter of 2008, but has probably been delayed by the Oct. 14th 2008 Federal Election. It is still expected that implementation will take place in 2009 with a 2010 stop manufacturing date and a sell though date of 2012.
Bruce Henderson, DuPont, outlined the Effect of Environment Canada’s 2008 Auto Refinish VOC Regulations on the Coatings Industry. The CPCA and the Auto Refinish Coating (ARC) manufacturers accessed the impact of Gazette I made numerous presentations to Environment Canada, helped EC with contact and consultation with the Collision Repair industry. The major challenge is converting the collision industry to high solids primers, clears and waterborne basecoat and the time required to convert. DuPont established a new training facility in Montreal, supported regional Repair Association education courses and run a DuPont Road show across Canada to educate their customers. Waterbornes add other challenges including product freezing, cleanliness requirements, material handling and airflow management.
On average it takes 10 days to convert each of the 6000 shops with the attendant equipment changes and education of operators. The coatings industry estimates this conversion will cost $200 million. The coatings industry will incur $100 million to cover infrastructure, training, paint removal, disposal and replacement and another $100 million cost to the collision centres to cover new equipment, training costs and facility upgrades.
Attendees toured Ottawa Sunday afternoon on vintage (1966) London double-decker buses with stops at local landmarks finishing at the ByWard Market for beer and Beavertails.
The Suppliers Night at the Museum of Civilization began with a spectacular IMAX film Wild Ocean followed by a reception and dinner in the Grand Hall filled with awe inspiring west coast totems and carvings from ancient times to modern sculptures. The plaster copy of “The Spirit of Haida Gwaii by Haida artist Bill Reid (1920-1998) greats visitors before one can take in the size and scope of the other carvings. “The Spirit of Haida Gwaii the Black Canoe” is on display in front of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, the “Jade Canoe” is in Vancouver Airport and it is also featured on the back of the $20 bill along with “Raven and the First Men.
The Monday September 15th plenary session began with a world economic outlook from Jim Allworth VP, Director & Portfolio Strategist RBC Dominion Securities. He predicted that the Federal government and the Bank of Canada were finished cutting rates, but were both dedicated to getting credit markets functioning normally again. The US Economy is passing through a period of maximum vulnerability. A recession is possible, but not a foregone conclusion.
Dr. Torsten Pohl, Director of Business Development Bayer Material Science spoke on Emerging Technologies in 2k waterbornes.
Christian Tardiff Manager Communications AkzoNobel Decorative Paints Canada, gave an overview of the commercial impact of the pending VOC regulations and its’ impact on Akzo Nobel/SICO architectural coatings. Change was accelerated by “a global market a green building scene, increased government regulation on VOCs as well as consumer awareness are important factors contributing to the accelerated changes in the decorative paint marketplace. House, home and building magazines are talking more than ever about green building standards. The LEED program itself is a dominant program that home owners and architects are leaning towards using.”
VOC Free paint products are a responsible consumer choice and part of the solution to improve indoor air quality and reduce smog. It is good business and corporately responsible to be green.
“Green is not a niche, it’s not a trend. It’s a megatrend. It is our new business context”.
Seventy five percent of AkzoNobel R&D personnel spent two years on product upgrades to be compliant one year in advance of the new regulations. SICO began by launching Ecosource Professional Zero VOC- Zero Odour paint in 2005 and began the phasing in of 0 VOC reformulations of their best selling paints in March of 2007.
Monday afternoon tours included the National Gallery of Canada and Cumberland Heritage Village that recreates a 1930’s depression era village with buildings and artifacts collected from the surrounding area. Included in the museum’s over 27 buildings are a saw mill and shingle mill, a fire house, church, railway station, general store and school.
Monday evening the participants had a private tour of the Parliament buildings followed by the Chairman’s Dinner at the Canadian War Museum where Brian Edwards thanked everyone who helped him in his 2 year term as Chairman and introduced incoming Chair of the Board of CPCA for the next 2 years, Mr. Pierre Dufresne, President of Sico and General Manager Decorative Paints Canada for AkzoNobel.
The Industry Statesmen Awards were present to Benoit Venne and Lorne Browne for their dedication to the paint and coating industry and Rick Duha, The Duha Group, was presented the Roy Kennedy Outstanding Achievement Award to an individual who demonstrates exceptional dedication to the Association, its members, and the paint and coatings sector.
Tuesday morning, Noel Bonnici VP & Senior Security Advisor RBC Dominion securities offered advice on business and succession planning using various insurance vehicles, followed by Ron Buist, former Marketing Director Tim Hortons, who covered the development of the products and services introduced by Hortons including the “Roll Up The Rim to Win” campaign.
Brian Edwards thanked the participants and invited everyone to the 2009 Convention in Niagara Falls.
Story and photos by Pete Wilkinson
Canadian Paint and Coatings Industry Receives First Draft of New Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) Regulations
After two years full of consultation and formal submissions to Environment Canada concerning volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations, the paint and coatings industry has seen results. The federal government announced, this Spring, new more stringent draft regulations to control VOC emission from automotive refinish and architectural and industrial maintenance (AIM) coatings in Canada.
“The paints and coatings industry has worked very hard as an industry over the last twenty years to reduce VOC emissions in paint and coating products. During that time industry has voluntarily reduced AIM VOC emissions from its products by more than 50 per cent,” says Jim Quick, President of the CPCA. “These new regulations will give us an additional 30 per cent reduction for total of 80 percent.” Quick gave a presentation of the newly drafted regulations at the Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Paint Association (OPA) in April.
OPA Chariman, Doug Parsons also presented a recap of the year report calling 2007 "a year of change."
The OPA also elected new officers and heard from speakers Aron Gampel, Economist with Scotia Bank presenting his views on “The State of The Canadian Economy”, the state of Canadian currency and other financial issues; and Greg Monette, Compliance Center Inc. who spoke about “Helping Companies Achieve Regulatory Compliance” and the benefits of his company.
For more information on the VOC regulations go to http://cdnpaint.org/english/new_april_25_2008.asp
For a detailed version of this story see the print version of CFCM's July 2008 issue.
Announcing the NEW PosiTest Automatic Adhesion Tester
The NEW PosiTest AT-A Automatic Adhesion Tester measures adhesion of coatings to metal, wood, concrete and other rigid substrates and now features an electronically controlled hydraulic pump. The new electric pump applies smooth and continuous pull-off pressure at user-selectable rates.
The PosiTest AT-A makes adhesion testing even easier. Now, you can test adhesion strength with the simple push of a button. No twisting, pumping or cranking required.
New features include electronically controlled hydraulic pump, user selectable pull rates for complying with a variety of international test methods, built-in rechargeable batteries, convenient shoulder strap and AC power. Full digital keypad allows the operator to easily select dolly sizes, specify pull rate, change measurement units or store readings with the touch of a button.
Additionally, the PosiTest AT Manual Adhesion Tester is available. The manual hydraulic pump was designed to apply smooth and continuous pressure with a single stroke. The pull rate indicator allows the operator to manually monitor and adjust the rate of pull.
www.defelsko.com
Enthone Introduces OrmeSTAR™ Ultra Nanofinish®, Organic Metal-based PWB Final Finish
Enthone Inc., a business of Cookson Electronics, has introduced OrmeSTAR Ultra PWB final finish. The Organic Metal-based, nanofinish® technology consumes approximately 90 per cent less energy and creates less waste versus elelectroless nickel / immersion gold (ENIG) and other traditional metallic final finishes. When compared to ENIG, OrmeSTAR Ultra reduces process time by 75 per cent. The finish costs 30 per cent less then ENIG, with no “black pad” risk. The versatile process delivers a high efficiency in application and operation throughout the entire supply chain.
OrmeSTAR Ultra provides a halogen-free coating that enables superior lead-free soldering with a surface conductivity comparable to pure gold. Signal transmission outperforms that of ENIG finishes. The nanofinish generates a visible coating that allows for ease of inspection and high first-pass yields with no false failures at in-circuit test. Because there are no intermediate metals present, the solder bonds directly to copper to form the industry’s strongest solder joints.
OrmeSTAR Ultra bonds with copper without a displacement reaction, ensuring long bath life, no microvoids, and no solder mask interface attack. The durable coating allows for wipe downs on misprinted assemblies with no copper oxidation. Hold (dwell) time between thermal cycles is similar to other metal finishes. Application during PWB fabrication can occur before electrical test.
New at EXEL
EXEL North America has released a new line of A29 and A35 Automatic Airspray guns. These new guns replace the existing A19 and A25 Automatic guns and are available in HPA and HTI configurations.
The company developed these guns to create a line that is lighter weight to allow increased productivity and reliability on automatic machines.
Key benefits of using the new generation of guns:
• A29 & A35 are lighter than existing guns
• Increased productivity through faster movement
• Both guns available in HTI & HPA technology
• Higher transfer efficiencies are delivered
• Better finish quality
• HTI technology offers two aircaps – EP3 & E3 KHVLP
• HPA technology offers the EN3L aircap for very wide patterns
• Used with low & high viscosity materials.
Kremlin Automatic ASI40 GT spray guns are now available in North America. These new automatic guns come standard with GT seal cartridge technology. This new gun offers:
• GT seal cartridge has a strong resistance to very abrasive UV & High Solids materials
• Cartridge contains self packing technology
• Simple & Unique design
• Unique fluid seat - Uses stainless steel insert with carbide as an option
• Strong power reduces any needle blockage making shutoff very reliable
• Redesigned for easy mounting during installation
• As an option, circulation is available thru the gun body
• Makes an excellent ON/OFF control valve in systems
www.exel-na.com
New Emulsion from Dow Corning
Dow Corning recently introduced Dow Corning® IE-2404 Emulsion, a new chemistry that improves performance in silicone resin emulsion paints when used as a co-binder.
Water, sun, and industrial pollutants cause paints and facade renders to prematurely age - detracting from the general aesthetics of the product and increasing maintenance costs. Dow Corning IE-2404 Emulsion provides UV stability, repaintability, uniform appearance, and damage resistance.
IE-2404 Emulsion also can be used to develop coating systems that require less maintenance, last longer, and protect porous substrates better than traditional coatings. The product disperses readily in water and contains no solvents.
DuPont Colorsplash
DuPont CoatingSolutions has entered into an agreement with Prismatic Powders, a division of NIC Industries, Inc. to market and sell a unique segment of their powder coatings under the brand DuPont Colorsplash by Prismatic. The line consists of vibrant colours, select metallic special effect finishes, textures and two coat colours that add zest to automotive wheels and bicycle and motorcycle finishes.
According to DuPont, the alliance gives Prismatic Powder broader market reach while enabling DuPont to add a unique product offering in order to benefit customers.
Prismatic Powders has specialized in the unique color niche of the powder coating market for more than 23 years, and DuPont is proud to offer these coatings to the marketplace.
“This strategic agreement provides a sales and distribution channel for Prismatic and bolsters product offering for DuPont,” said Prismatic Powders General Manager Brian Hall.
Trena Benson, marketing manager, DuPont CoatingSolutions said, “We are creating a competitive advantage for both companies and improving service and selection for our customers.”
www.dupont.com
Henkel Literature Profiles Next Generation Visible Light Cure Adhesives
New literature from Henkel Corporation profiles the next generation of Loctite Indigo Visible Light Cure technology: innovative adhesives and equipment designed to deliver safe, efficient, and immediate cure using light in the visible spectrum.
The literature overviews the complete line of Loctite Indigo Visible Light Cure adhesives and dispensing/curing equipment. The four-page brochure provides detailed product information on low viscosity Loctite Indigo 3554, medium viscosity Loctite Indigo 3555 and high viscosity Loctite Indigo 3556 visible light cure adhesives, and profiles the complete line of Loctite Indigo point and flood-style visible light cure systems. All Loctite Indigo products highlighted in the literature are appropriate for a wide range of industrial and medical assembly applications.
The literature explains that Loctite Indigo adhesive products require no venting or specialized protective equipment to ensure worker safety. The adhesives cure through UV blocking clear and select colored substrates, including translucent variations of blue, purple, gray, white and green. All adhesives in the Loctite Indigo Visible Light Cure line offer excellent adhesion to various plastics including polycarbonate, PVC, and ABS; and are ISO 10993 biocompatible.
www.henkel.com
Redesigned PosiTector DPM - Dew Point Meter
The redesigned PosiTector Dew Point Meter from DeFelsko Corporation measures and records climatic parameters including relative humidity, air temperature, surface temperature, dew point temperature and the difference between surface and dew point temperatures. New features include larger, easy-to-read backlit display; Smart Trend Indicators to identify rising, falling or stable readings; a unique Graph Mode to chart all five parameters for quick analysis; and increased memory capacity to store up to 2500 datasets in 100 batches. The PosiTector DPM easily converts to accept various optional K-type probes including magnetic and hand-held surface temperature probes. The optional Magnetic Surface Temperature Kit allows the instrument and a surface temperature probe to be conveniently attached onto steel structures – for hands free recording. Ideal for unattended operation to record climatic trends.
www.defelsko.com
Atotech New Elv-Compliant Pretreatment Products
Atotech Canada Ltd. has recently introduced the Interlox range of new ELV-compliant pretreatment passivates to the Canadian market. The Interlox product line consists of three distinct liquid coatings that offer superior corrosion resistance and promote better bonding of both paint and powder coatings. Interlox films appear clear to iridescent and all three products can be applied by spraying or immersion methods. Two of the products are Cr-free and one is Cr VI free. Interlox 338 is a Cr III passivate that provides superior performance on aluminum substrates. Interlox 5704 offers a slightly heavier coating applied at a higher temperature and Interlox 5705 provides an even heavier coating that is suitable for use on a range of substrates including aluminum, steel, zinc and magnesium. All Interlox passivates allow the flow of electricity making them suitable for use on electrical connectors and other applications that require a current carrying capability. Interlox pretreatments meet the electrical conductivity and corrosion-resistance specifications of MIL C-5541E and MIL DTL-81706 Class 3. All three coatings are compliant with ELV, RoHS and WEEE environmental requirements. For more information on Interlox pretreatments, contact Atotech Canada Ltd..
www.atotechcanada.com
Expanded Uniprep Product Line, Atotech Canada Ltd.
Atotech Canada Ltd. has recently expanded their line of UniPrep products for the Canadian marketplace. Atotech Canada offers an expanded and more versatile product line that allows the Uniprep bio-chemistry to be applied to a broader range of substrates including ABS plastics and in some instances, plastic blends. There are now four UniPrep cleaners ranging from the UniSpray AAL acid spray cleaner through low, medium and high alkalinity concentrates, (UniPrepCC-W, UniPrepSP-B, UniPrepHAS).
There are now three UniPrep "dry in place" adhesion promoting coatings that all operate at low or room temperatures. UniPrepPP is the original "bio" coating that provides corrosion control and adhesion characteristics equal to or better than iron phosphates and outperforms them on aluminum substrates and under epoxy paints. UniPrepPRO is a new, highly buffered and stable coating that further inhibits flash rust and offers the same corrosion protection as UniPrepPP in a coating that is tailored to job-shop applications. UniPrepSA2 is an innovative bio-cleaner and adhesion promoter combined into one coating that's useful as a one step product or when additional cleaning time is required at the end of processing. The new Uniprep line of products all operate at substantially lower temperatures than traditional iron phosphating, making them safer and more economical to use while providing a more comfortable workplace and also being much more environmentally friendly.
Caption for Photos: Adhesion test samples comparing Atotech Canada's UniPrep pretreatment on the left with traditional iron phosphating process on the right. Both painted panels were “X” scribed and exposed to a salt spray for 168 hours as per ASTM B-117. Panels were then blown off with high-pressure air to remove any paint that lost adhesion during the test. The UniPrep pretreatment process consistently outperforms iron phosphating.
www.atotechcanada.com
New Laminating Resins
DSM NeoResins+ launches NeoRez P-900 series; the next generation of laminating resins for Flexible Packaging. The products are based on novel routes in polyester chemistry and when cross-linked give consistent and exceptional bond strengths. They are free of aromatics isocyanates and comply with FDA 175 300, making them ideally suited to flexible food packaging.
DSM NeoResins+ is a leading, committed, global supplier of innovative specialty resins, and is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia, the Americas, Africa and Australia.
www.neoresins.com
Viking’s Universal Mag Drive Series
Viking Pumps’ line of Universal Mag Drive series adds a sealless option to the Universal Series Pumps. Dimensionally interchangeable with Viking’s most popular Heavy Duty packed and sealed pumps, the Universal Mag Drive Series provides a proven simple solution for upgrading existing pumps. This sealless pump features a thrust-controlled design that allows short-term run-dry capabilities and bi-directional pump operation for enhanced application flexibility.
Available in cast iron, steel and stainless steel, these sealless pumps eliminate seal leakage and environmental concerns, along with downtime due to seal replacement. They are ideal for hazardous, hard-to-seal liquids or for applications where very low maintenance is a requirement.
www.vikingpump.com
Motoman Advanced Robot System
Motoman offers advanced robot system networking and communications capabilities that enable secure connections between remote PCs and Motoman robot solutions on the factory floor, providing simple to sophisticated cell control, monitoring and backup.
MotoAdmin software provides remote control, status monitoring, and backup of robot programs and data through a secure network connection with three levels of password protection. Via a PC connected to the robot controller, a user can remotely view and manipulate robot system data, including uploading, downloading, and viewing jobs (programs), variables and I/O. Jobs can be started, stopped or put on hold, and robot modes can be monitored. Programmed jobs can be changed only with the supervisory password. Alarm history can also be downloaded and viewed. Robot alarms can be canceled and reset. File Management System software performs automated file backup and archiving functions, providing security for your intellectual property (process knowledge) as well as version control of programming data.
MotoFTP is PC-based software with three-levels of security that enables users to upload and download robot files to and from the robot controller via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) connection. It also has a feature that allows the operator to compare a file on the robot controller to a previously stored file on the PC and identify any changes that may have been made.
MotoCom SDK is a robot communication software development kit that provides users with the ability to create custom applications that communicate with Motoman robots, allowing control of a robot and its data through a communication connection (interface). Example interface screens can easily be modified and customized to provide a flexible and unique communications interface for your robotic system.
www.motoman.com
Bayer MaterialScience LLC launches EcoCommercial Building Program in North America
Holistic and collaborative approach addresses market need for more sustainable building solutions
Bayer MaterialScience LLC has launched its EcoCommercial Building Program in the NAFTA region. This program focuses on offering materials and fostering collaboration among industry, academia and government to provide holistic solutions to building decision makers.
“We’re building a collaborative network that brings together innovative products and services to make sustainable, environmentally friendly and profitable building solutions possible,” explained Paul Platte, head, EcoCommercial Building Program, NAFTA, Bayer MaterialScience LLC.
According to Platte, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and Pittsburgh Green Building Alliance, is currently seeking network member organizations that can provide products and/or services for the program’s seven building solution areas that help to increase sustainability and reduce energy costs:
• Insulation
• Daylighting
• Illumination
• Indoor Environment Quality
• Sustainable Energy
• Intelligent Building
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
By working collaboratively, the EcoCommercial Building network will be able to address energy savings, environmentally friendly materials, emission-reducing materials, efficiency in application, ecology and economics – what Bayer MaterialScience considers to be the “Six Es” of sustainable building solutions.
The NAFTA program is part of Bayer MaterialScience’s global EcoCommercial Building initiative launched last fall. To showcase the viability of the program, Bayer MaterialScience currently has four EcoCommercial Building projects – an operational children’s day care center for employees of Bayer CropScience in Germany, an operational Bayer administration building in Belgium, an office building under construction in India, and a conference center on the U.S. headquarters campus in Pittsburgh. The conference center will be part of an open house, systems demonstration event that will take place on May 26. There are two other planned North America EcoCommercial Building projects that will be unveiled in upcoming weeks and months.
According to John Houston, senior vice president, head of Coatings, Adhesives and Specialties, Bayer MaterialScience LLC, the EcoCommercial Building initiative is a natural fit with the company’s business and sustainability objectives.
“At Bayer MaterialScience, our longstanding commitment to innovation, product stewardship and sustainability impacts the products we produce and the markets we serve, and this program aligns perfectly with that commitment,” explained Houston. “Our materials already play an important role in a number of sustainable building design and construction solutions. Now, with the EcoCommercial Building program, we have the opportunity to take this one step further by engaging other network members to more completely address the market need for more sustainable building solutions,” he continued.
Bayer MaterialScience products currently utilized in sustainable building design and construction solutions include:
• Solid and multi-wall architectural sheets of polycarbonate for glazing, sky lights and façade cladding which enable daylighting with reduced energy usage and aid visual comfort.
• Sealing systems, based on Bayer MaterialScience’s polyurethane raw materials, for sealing flat roofs to produce a seamless, highly root-resistant protective layer that also aids energy savings by significantly reducing drafts.
• LED lighting systems that can illuminate while reducing electricity consumption and heat loads are enhanced by the company’s polycarbonates when used in LED lenses and lamp housings providing the lighting system excellent service life in all types of conditions.
• Coating systems based on Bayer MaterialScience’s raw materials that are characterized by high resistance to aging and low maintenance costs while doing so with low solvent or waterborne formulations.
• Spray or rigid polyurethane foam from Bayer MaterialScience is used for indoor and outdoor thermal insulation of roofs, walls and floors. The energy saved, over the life of a building, through the use of polyurethane insulation foam can yield a better than 70-to-1 return on the energy needed to produce the foam raw materials.
• Photovoltaic modules are used to harvest solar energy. The company’s TPU encapsulant film enables efficient embedding of solar cells into the film to yield high-quality photovoltaic modules. Also, polyurethane in combination with pultrusion technology enables a light-weight, modular framing system aiding installation of building integrated photovoltaic elements onto the roof.
www.bayermaterialsciencenafta.com
Dow Ends Force Majeure for Phenol in the Americas
Effective immediately, The Dow Chemical Company has ended the force majeure for phenol in the Americas.
The force majeure was declared on March 12 when a broken heat exchanger was discovered at the phenol manufacturing asset within the Oyster Creek, Texas facility. The exchanger is now repaired and the plant is running at normal operating rates.
Dow Epoxy is a leading global producer of epoxy resins, intermediates, and specialty resins serving a wide range of industries. This global business unit of The Dow Chemical Company operates nine manufacturing facilities, three main Research & Development centers, and in-region Technical Service & Development facilities strategically located around the world to provide customers with differentiated solution-based products and innovative technologies and services. Epoxy products from Dow are used in different market segments including coatings, civil engineering, structural and corrosion resistant composites, adhesives, electrical laminates and electrical castings/potting and encapsulation/tooling.
Location Move for Dow R&D
The Dow Chemical Company's North American Technical Service and Global Research and Development Center for packaging adhesives and coatings moved to Buffalo Grove from Elgin, Illinois in April 2010. The expanded Tech Service and R&D Center is located close to Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
Dow offers a broad range of technologies for packaging customers, including solventless, water-based, and solvent-borne adhesives, and provides real-world testing capabilities to assist customers in the evaluation of formulations on production-scale equipment.
The Buffalo Grove facility will expand the on-site staff to more than 100 people. The site, which opened in 1992, also houses Dow's Microbial Control business unit, as well as sales offices. Mark Henning, general manager, Dow Microbial Control, also serves as site manager for Buffalo Grove.
All of Dow's previous North America tech service and development resources will be replicated at Buffalo Grove. In addition, the company's analytics capabilities for customers will be greatly enhanced to better detect and solve flexible packaging laminate issues where varying coat weights, mix ratios and film surface treatments can pose production difficulties.
Ken Westbrook Owner and Bruce Girard, CEO Westbrook Technologies sign the purchase agreement witnessed by Terry Copeland Vice-President Enthone Americas. Photo by Pete Wilkinson
Mergal BIT20 Highly Effective, Broad-Spectrum Wet-State Preservative Receives Canadian Regulatory Approval
Troy Corporation announced July 16, 2009, it has received Canadian approval for the wet state preservative Mergal BIT20 containing the active 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT). The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Canada has determined that Mergal BIT20 is eligible for full registration pursuant to the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) as an industrial preservative.
According to David Faherty, Vice President of Marketing, “Troy develops products that meet and exceed customer performance requirements and governmental regulations such as zero or low VOC, formaldehyde-free, wet-state preservative products.” Mergal BIT20 is a highly effective, broad-spectrum preservative developed to protect water based products from the growth of detrimental microorganisms. The products have been approved in Canada for use to protect latex emulsions, metalworking fluids, aqueous-based paints and aqueous mineral slurries. Mergal BIT20 inhibits microbial growth which reduces spoilage to extend the product’s service life.
Mergal BIT20 complies with the regulations of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other regulatory bodies.
For more information on Mergal BIT20 and Mergal BIT Paste and the full range of performance biocides and additives from Troy available in Canada, e-mail marketing@troycorp.com or visit us at www.troycorp.com.
Dominion Colour Corporation Announcements
DCC Europe: Dominion Colour Corporation has met the requirements of REACH, DCC established DCC (Europe) Ltd. based in Manchester, UK for the purposes of REACH.
EC Pigments: In June 2009, DCC acquired the customer lists, brand names and product formulations of EC Pigments (UK) Ltd.. The brand names of the products purchased are Eljon and DyeCom.
ALTANA acquires Water Ink Technologies
The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA has entered into an agreement to acquire the business of the North American company Water Ink Technologies, Inc. The company produces primarily water-based and UV inks, coatings and varnishes for narrow web applications at three sites in North Carolina (U.S.). Among others, these applications are used for packaging printing and labels. In addition, Water Ink Technologies provides extensive customer service through several mixing stations in the U.S. and Canada. With consolidated sales of about $34 million (€27 million) in 2008 and almost 150 employees, the company is one of the leading manufacturers of the mentioned products in North
America. With the acquisition of Water Ink Technologies, ALTANA underlines its continued commitment to complement organic growth also with selected acquisitions as it did successfully in the past. Within the Group, Water Ink Technologies will be integrated into the ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants division under the new name ACTEGA WIT. The existing Water Ink Technologies management team, under the leadership of Michael C. and Patrick S. Hague, will continue to run the operations also under the roof of ALTANA.
“The acquisition of Water Ink Technologies underlines that even and especially in difficult economic times we are fully committed to continue our growth course through suitable acquisitions and to further create value for the company,“ stated Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA.
“I am pleased that with ALTANA we found an excellent new parent for our business,“ stated Michael C. Hague, President of Water Ink Technologies. “ALTANA stands for a clear strategy, stability and continuity. I am convinced that we will prosper and our success story will continue under its new owner. ALTANA’s global presence and its competence in the graphics industry are an excellent basis to expand our product offering and our business also in Europe and Asia.”
Government of Canada Recognizes Atlantic Industries Limited and Upland Technologies Inc. of Cambridge, Ontario as Canadian Innovative Leaders
The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology), presented on Monday, July 20, Canadian Innovative Leader certificates to Atlantic Industries Limited and Upland Technologies Inc. - two innovative companies from Cambridge, Ontario. Atlantic Industries develops practical business solutions in construction infrastructure while Upland Technologies manufactures products for the automotive industry.
Commit to Change – one workplace injury, illness, or death is too many
No one signs up for a job expecting to be hurt, ill, or killed. Sadly, this isn’t always how a workday plays out.
Worldwide, the International Labour Organization records more than 2.2 million work-related deaths each year. In 2007, close to one million Canadian men and women suffered an injury on the job; over 1,000 were hurt so severely, they never made it home.
On April 28, workplace health and safety demands international attention. In Canada, April 28 is recognized as National Day of Mourning; internationally, we celebrate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work. Both acknowledge workers whose lives have been impacted by a workplace injury, illness, or fatality and send a strong message that one is one too many.
Preventing workplace injuries and illness must be a collaborative effort. Employers must make a strong, organizational commitment to a safer and healthier work environment and protect their biggest asset – their people. They must operate an effective health and safety program that involves health and safety training and proper equipment, as well as provide staff an opportunity to ask questions and propose solutions. Employees must understand their right to refuse unsafe work and become active participants in improving and maintaining the safety of themselves and their fellow workers.
Submitted by IAPA (Industrial Accident Prevention Association), a not-for-profit organization operating in Ontario since 1917. Representing approximately 50,000 member firms and more than 1.5 million Ontario workers, IAPA is Canada’s leader in workplace health, safety, and employee well-being.
ITW Gema and Halo Coatings Team up To Market New Retro-Reflective Coating
ITW Gema and MKB llc (Halo Coatings) have agreed on a strategic global partnership to promote a new technology, known as the Halo Process. This unique process utilizes powder coatings that are designed to reflect light; and this major breakthrough in coating materials is expected to impact markets where nighttime safety or reflectivity is important.
Retro-reflectivity is the return of light to your eye along the same path as the light source - the functional principle in all nighttime safety tape used on products such as street signs, truck delineation, or bicycle reflectors. With the Halo Process, retro-reflective powder coatings can now offer tremendous benefits in place of tape application and “light up at night” for improved safety. This new partnership allows ITW Gema, the world’s leading supplier of powder coating application and recovery equipment and Halo Coatings, the leading developer of retro-reflective powder coatings, to join together and provide a manufacturing solution for producing products with a retro-reflective surface on nearly any substrate, and in three dimensional configurations and shapes. MKB is a privately held, Ohio based, Sales and Technology Company offering products and services for any highway, industrial, transportation and consumer markets. ww.halocoatings.com ITW Gema, a business unit of the Illinois Tool Works Corporation, with North American Headquarters located Indianapolis, Indiana, provides application and recovery solutions for the powder coating market. www.itwgema.us.
BASF Organizational Changes
BASF is taking steps to optimize its structures in order to sharpen the company’s focus on its customer industries. At the same time, BASF is laying the foundation for the rapid and efficient integration of Ciba’s businesses. In particular, BASF’s Performance Products segment is being developed further. The initial organizational changes will be effective as of April 1, 2009.
BASF expects the approvals of the relevant antitrust authorities and the closing of the Ciba transaction toward the end of the first quarter of 2009. The “discovery phase” will begin immediately after closing. During this phase, which is expected to last about two months, joint teams consisting of BASF and Ciba employees will analyze the acquired businesses in depth. The goal of the analysis is to define a market-oriented position for the combined businesses as well as the optimal organizational structure. The actual integration process is then expected to start in the second half of 2009 on the basis of these results. The Performance Products segment currently consists of the Acrylics & Dispersions, Care Chemicals and Performance Chemicals divisions. As of April 1, 2009, the new division, Paper Chemicals, will also form part of the segment. This division will initially consist of BASF’s paper chemicals, binders and kaolin minerals business, which is currently part of the Acrylics & Dispersions division. The head of the new division will be Ehrenfried (Fred) Baumgartner, who is currently responsible for BASF’s Inorganics division. Following the completion of the discovery phase, Ciba’s business involving products for paper manufacturing will be integrated into the new division. The current Acrylics & Dispersions division will be renamed Dispersions & Pigments. This division will bundle BASF’s business involving raw materials for the coating and paint industry. As a result, the existing dispersions business will be complemented by the pigments and coatings resins business that is currently part of the Performance Chemicals division. The acrylics business will be reassigned to the Petrochemicals division, which will then encompass the key steps in the propylene value chain. The superabsorbents business will be assigned to the Care Chemicals division. The majority of Ciba’s coating effects business will be integrated into the Dispersions & Pigments division after the discovery phase.
Benjamin Moore retail program honored by Canadian Marketing Association
According to Alistair Linton, director of retail development for Benjamin Moore, the company’s first ever eb-based rewards program has enjoyed significant success as it offers incentive to a store’s sales professionals to sell Benjamin Moore’s new Gennex formulation Aura and Natura paint products. For every gallon sold, the retailer receives a specified number of points. It’s up to the individual retailer to decide and manage how the points are distributed—whether they’re pooled and shared among staff, or each sales professional responsible for the paint sale directly banks them. The points are redeemable for a wide array of fun and valuable gifts, from Starbuck’s and American Express gift cards to plasma screen TVs and Apple iPods.
Gorrie Marketing, based in Toronto, a consultant to Benjamin Moore for more than 10 years, helped develop and manages the program. Other CMA winners in the category included AXE/Unilever and Fox Interactive, which took the Bronze prize; and, Frito Lay, which also won a Bronze as well as the top Gold award.
Troy Corporation Announces Preservative Price Increases
Troy Corporation has announced price increases of up to 18% for all Polyphase® products and up to 5% for certain Mergal® biocides effective January 30, 2009 or as contracts allow.
Price increases for some specific products are:
Polyphase® P100 18%
Polyphase AF1 14%
Polyphase AF3 13%
Polyphase P20T 10%
Mergal®186 5%
Mergal 192 5%
These increases are required because of escalation in the cost of key raw materials and regulatory compliance not offset by corresponding decreases in freight, energy and petroleum related raw materials.
For further information regarding these increases, please contact your local Troy representative listed at www.troycorp.com
International Paint partners with Devoe Coatings
International Paint and its subsidiary, Ceilcote USA, Inc., part of the AkzoNobel family of companies, have partnered with Devoe Coatings of Canada, to deliver coating products to customers throughout Western Canada. Western Canadian customers in the oil, gas, industrial and new construction industries will have access to fire-protection and anti-corrosion coatings, International Paint’s line of Chartek products and Ceilcote’s anti-corrosion coatings, distributed through Devoe’s existing stores and customer channels. This results from AkzoNobel's recent acquisition of ICI Paints and its subsidiary Devoe Coatings.
Rohm and Haas/Dow Acquistion Updates
Rohm and Haas Company reported recently that the European Commission has determined that the pending acquisition of Rohm and Haas by The Dow Chemical Company does not contravene EC competition law. With this decision, the transaction has obtained all necessary approvals in Europe.The sole remaining regulatory clearance necessary for the transaction to close is that of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Rohm and Haas Company continues to work diligently towards completing the proposed transaction with Dow in early 2009.
The terms of the agreement give stockholders $78 in cash for each share of Rohm and Haas. Rohm and Haas Co. will retain its name and Philadelphia headquarters. Dow will contribute several specialty chemicals business segments to the Rohm and Haas portfolio.
Baytubes® available in North America
Bayer MaterialScience has obtained regulatory approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Baytubes®, its multi-walled carbon nanotubes. This enables the company to sell Baytubes® on the American market and reinforces Bayer MaterialScience’s role as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of carbon nanotubes. The approval covers Baytubes® C 150 P and HP grades; the product is manufactured in a plant in Laufenburg, Germany, with an annual capacity of 60 metric tons.
Baytubes® can be added to polymer matrices or metal systems as a modifier or filler to improve their mechanical strength and/or antistatic properties, and are already used in epoxy, thermoplastic and coating systems.
DuPont Specialty Launches New Website
DuPont Specialty, the company’s global resource for customized colorants, dispersions, polymers, and slurries has announced the launch of its new website, www.colorants.dupont.com. The new site is designed to provide visitors with information about the business’ comprehensive range of custom services, manufacturing capabilities and the types of markets and industries it serves. The site also showcases examples of the types of innovative applications the business supports.
“We’re excited to launch this website that details DuPont’s dispersion technology, color expertise, polymer science, and formulation capabilities to create high-quality products in the areas of automotive and industrial paints, coatings, digital inks, dispersants and resins,” said Patricia Bartlett, business development manager, DuPont Specialty.
“We’re now leveraging this knowledge base to create products that offer batch-to-batch color consistency, dispersion stability, particle size control and custom-designed polymers. These solutions provide customers with added value and cost-savings through yield, quality improvement and enhanced functionality.”
DuPont is a longtime leader in color technology. Over the years, the company has developed custom dispersion solutions for a wide variety of markets.
Lanxess Distribution expansion in Canada and U.S.
L. V. Lomas is pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2009, they will be the exclusive distributor for LANXESS Corporation’s inorganic pigments (Bayferrox), Natural Iron Oxides and chromium oxide green for the following applications: Plastics, rubber, coatings, inks, adhesives and composites. It will be distributed to customers in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.
In western Canada, J.F. Shelton Co. will serve customers in Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Besides Canadian distribution, LANXESS Corp.’s Inorganic Pigments Group (IPG) continues to expand its distributor network, with CNX Distribution to serve customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Dowd and Guild, Inc. will serve customers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. J.F. Shelton Co. will serve customers in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. McCullough & Associates will serve customers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Palmer Holland will serve customers in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. All these distributors will begin selling the pigments to paint, coatings, plastics and specialty application accounts on Jan. 1, 2009. In addition to selling BAYFERROX inorganic pigments, all companies will distribute IPG’s Chrome Oxide Green and natural iron oxide pigments. All distributors will sell the inorganic pigments to the plastic, rubber, coatings, ink, adhesive, composite and pet food industries.
Ashland Completes Acquisition of Hercules
Ashland Inc. has completed its acquisition of Hercules Inc. and now incorporates paper and water technologies, specialty resins and specialty additives and functional ingredients.
Ashland’s new structure, incorporating the former Hercules businesses, is composed of: Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a $2 billion specialty paper and water chemicals business formed from the related operations of Hercules and Ashland; Ashland Performance Materials, the specialty resins business; Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a business of specialty additives and functional ingredients derived from renewable resources; Ashland Consumer Markets, which comprises the Valvoline lubricants, automotive appearance and service business; and Ashland Distribution, a North American distributor of chemicals, plastics, composite materials and environmental services.
Ashland will remain at its headquarters in Covington, KY. The Hercules administrative facility in Wilmington, DE, now becomes the operations center for the Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients and the Ashland Hercules Water Technologies commercial units. The operations center for its Ashland Performance Materials commercial unit is now in Barendrecht, the Netherlands, where it can serve growing demands in Eastern Europe and serve as a central point for operations in the Americas and Asia Pacific. Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) will maintain its operations base in Lexington, KY, and Ashland Distribution will continue to be based in Dublin, OH.
PPG Closes Canadian Plants
PPG Industries Inc. is closing two plants in Ontario resulting in the loss of 320 jobs. This along with other restructuring cuts, the company hope to save US$100 million a year.
PPG’s coatings manufacturing plant in Clarkson, ON, will be closed in the second quarter of 2009, affecting about 150 jobs.
PPG Industries’ performance glazings is also stopping production in the first quarter 2009 at its Owen Sound, ON, glass manufacturing facility, which employs approximately 170 people. The company cited weakness in the North American residential construction market that is affecting glass suppliers.
The company will also close operations at Geldermalsen in the Netherlands in next year's third quarter.
The restructuring is part of PPG's US$3.2 billion acquisition earlier this year of SigmaKalon Group, a Dutch coatings maker. PPG is a supplier of paints, coatings, chemicals, optical products, specialty materials, glass and fiberglass.
Dow Buys Rohm and Haas
On July 10, 2008, Dow and Rohm and Haas announced a definitive agreement, under which Dow will acquire all outstanding shares of Rohm and Haas common stock for $78 per share in cash, a total $15.4 billion. The acquisition of Rohm and Haas will make Dow the world’s leading specialty chemicals and advanced materials company, combining the two organizations’ best-in-class technologies, broad geographic reach and strong industry channels.
The transaction marks a decisive move in Dow’s transformation into an earnings growth company with reduced cyclicality. Last December, Dow announced a joint venture with Petrochemical Industries Company of the State of Kuwait (PIC). With the collective impact of these two deals, performance products and advanced materials will represent 69 percent of Dow’s total sales, on a 2007 pro forma basis, compared with 51 percent prior to these transactions.
Financing for the acquisition includes an equity investment by Berkshire Hathaway and the Kuwait Investment Authority in the form of convertible preferred securities for $3 billion and $1 billion respectively. Debt financing has been committed by Citi, Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley who acted as financial advisors on the transaction.
“The acquisition of Rohm and Haas is a defining step in our transformational strategy to shape the “Dow of Tomorrow” – a high value, diversified chemicals and materials company, creating the largest specialty chemicals company in the United States with a leading global position in performance products and advanced materials,” Andrew N. Liveris, Dow chairman and CEO, commented.
Rohm and Haas chairman and CEO Raj L. Gupta stated, “When this transaction is completed, Rohm and Haas will be a critical component of the New Dow, the world’s preeminent chemical company and will be aligned with a forward-looking US-based enterprise, committed to investing in research for new technology solutions to many of the most pressing societal needs. We believe that by becoming a part of Dow, we secure a brighter future and greater growth prospects for our employees, consistent with the vision of our founders to remain a high-quality supplier of innovative technology and solutions.”
Dow expects the transaction to be meaningfully accretive to earnings in the second year following completion, with pre-tax annual cost synergies expected to be at least $800 million per year. Key areas of cost savings include increased purchasing power for raw materials; manufacturing and supply chain work process improvements; and the elimination of redundant corporate overhead for shared services and governance.
Ashland to Acquire Hercules
Ashland Inc. and Hercules Inc. have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Ashland will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Hercules for US$18.60 per share in cash and 0.093 of a share of Ashland common stock for each share of Hercules common stock. The total transaction value is approximately $3.3 billion, or $23.01 per Hercules share based on Ashland's July 10 closing stock price and including $0.7 billion of net assumed debt. The transaction, which would create a major, global specialty chemicals company, is expected to close by the end of calendar 2008.
New Distributor for Everlight
Everlight Chemical Industrial Corporation, one of the top UVA’s and HALS producers, is proud to announce effective July first, Inortech Chimie Inc appointment as its exclusive distributor for the Canadian Market. The partnership of Everlight’s know how and Inortech’s technical expertise, well equipped laboratory and their commitment to the Canadian coating, plastic, ink and adhesives markets, will provide an strong alternative to Everlight clients.
Minister of Environment Announces Fielding an Environmental Leader
Ontario Minister of the Environment, John Gerretsen, announced recently at the Green Living show in Toronto that Fielding Chemical Technologies Inc. has been accepted into the Ontario Environmental Leaders Program.
“Sustainable and responsible business is good for the environment and the green economy. I commend … Fielding for aggressively greening their Ontario facilities,” said Gerretsen.
Fielding continues to demonstrate their environmental leadership by committing to a broad range of reduction targets that go beyond compliance and address Ministry priorities, including reducing emissions of smog-forming pollutants, using less energy and converting hazardous waste materials into useful products. “In its business, Fielding was 1st in the world to be registered to ISO 14001 and 1st in the world to be verified to Responsible Care”, says Fielding Chair and CEO Ellen McGregor. “Today we announce another first as Fielding becomes the first company in the environmental sector to be included in the Environmental Leader's Program.”
Ontario’s Environmental Leaders program is a partnership between government and companies that surpass environmental regulations and as responsible corporate citizens, make environmentally-friendly activities a part of their operations. The program is designed to recognize companies that have a strong environmental track record and make a public commitment to doing even more. For more information visit www.ontario.ca/environment
Korzite Acquires K. Bottschen
Korzite Coatings Inc., Guelph, ON, has acquired certain assets owned by K. Bottschen Mfg. Co. Ltd. Of Brampton.
Bottschen (also known as KB Coatings) will be closing its premises and all production will be relocated to Korzite’s manufacturing site in Guelph.
“Bottschen has a strong and growing reputation as a supplier of primers and coating mainly targeted at steel and industrial manufacturing. Our product offering will be strengthened as a result of this merger of interests and allow Korzite to focus more on regulatory compliant technologies,” says Dan Thomas, General Manager of Korzite Coatings Inc. “Korzite will now be better positioned to support our expanding customer ase which serves the industrial paint market throughout North America. We see, as an additional strength, that both organizations are registered to the current ISO quality standard.”
L.V. Lomas Launches New Third Party Logistics Service
L.V. Lomas, Brampton, ON, an industry leader in Canadian chemical distribution will launch a new third party logistics service targeted to assist both chemical manufacturers and finished goods manufacturers with packaging and transportation of their products. The plan is to utilize their state of the art custom packaging processes, cross Canada warehouses and their fleet of trucks, trailers and rail cars to deliver products for their principals and clients.
L.V. Lomas is equipped to provide the following services:
• Warehousing (climate controlled, 24 hr security monitoring)
• Liquid blending and packaging (including totes and drums)
• Distribution and freight services
• Bagging of multiple size packages including Super sacs
• Re-pack services (container de-stuffing, palletizing & stretch wrapping)
• Assembly of Point of Sale displays and kitting
• Bulk transloading (Rail tank cars and tank trucks)
• Bulk liquid steaming - Rail tank cars, tank trucks and isotainers
• Fulfillment / Pick & pack
• Web-based inventory visibility and online reporting
L.V. Lomas provides customized services tailored to the customer's specific requirements.
The transaction, effective March 25, 2008, encompasses DCC and all its subsidiary companies. The new owners, Mike Klein, Jack Nelligan, Bob Ralph and Mark Vincent, will continue in their current positions as senior executives of DCC.
Kikuchi and KCC fully appreciate the contribution DCC has made to the KCC organization over the last 18 years and the excellent, friendly and co-operative relationship KCC and DCC have enjoyed during KCC’s ownership of DCC.
KCC and the MBO team have agreed that the timing is right for the executive team of DCC and its subsidiaries to implement its own vision of “providing colour to the world with a reputation for consistent quality excellence”, with the support of, but independently of, KCC.
The change in ownership will have no adverse impact on future of DCC and its subsidiaries. All DCC operating divisions and subsidiaries will remain intact and there will be no changes in the organization as a result of the change in control. Purchases from suppliers will continue uninterrupted. It is business as usual.
The new owners of DCC thank all company employees, customers, distributors, agents, suppliers, alliance partners, business advisors and other business partners for past and future support in the ongoing success of Dominion Colour Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Home Hardware Receives IAPA Health And Safety Award
The Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) presented Home Hardware Stores Limited - Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products of Burford, ON with a Level I Health & Safety Achievement Award, April 2, 2008. This is the first IAPA achievement award for the facility that produces paints, sealants, and cleaners.
The Burford facility has not had a lost-time injury (LTI) since 2003. It has achieved this positive result by demonstrating a commitment to health and safety. This dedication to creating an incident-free workplace has been made possible through initiatives such as having an active Joint Health and Safety Committee, sound workplace inspection processes, monthly safety meetings between supervisors and employees, and firm incentives for reaching health and safety milestones.
“This Level I award is in recognition of Home Hardware Stores Limited - Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products commitment and continuing investment in its health and safety system,” says John VanLenthe, IAPA Principal Consultant, who presented the company with the award. “It is clear when you walk into the facility that everyone shares the common goal of reducing and eliminating workplace incidents. You are on the right path towards achieving health and safety excellence.”
“Our goal is to make sure our people go home at night as well as they arrived that morning,” says Darrin Noble, General Manager, Home Hardware Stores Limited - Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products. “The employees at this facility are to be highly commended for their diligence, hard work, and dedication to health and safety. Reducing and eliminating workplace accidents is only possible when we all work together.”
Home Hardware Stores Limited - Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products received the Level I Achievement Award after IAPA conducted an on-site verification on October 29, 2007. The company’s health and safety management program met the criteria needed to be recognized for this award. In addition, Home Hardware Stores Limited - Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products completed the self-assessment report and met IAPA award requirements, such as prevention methods, legislative compliance, management practices, and lost-time injury frequencies.
IAPA’s three-level health and safety awards program was launched in 2002. The program is designed to celebrate an organization’s journey towards achieving workplace health and safety excellence. Since the inception of the program, 41 companies have received the Level I Health and Safety Achievement Award.
Atotech New Lab Facilities
Construction has begun at Atotech Canada Ltd. on a new Technical Centre for Corrosion Resistant Coatings (CRC). The new Technical Centre for CRC will be added to the present Canadian Head Offices location at 1180 Corporate Drive in Burlington, Ontario and is scheduled to be completed and operational in the late spring of 2008. The Technical Centre will be a two-storey structure occupying 7500 square feet (697 square meters) and include a "state of the art" plating line for testing different zincs, zinc alloys, passivates, sealers and other CRC applications in a real world scenario. Both rack and barrel plating application methods can be replicated.
"The lab's plating line will let us provide custom plating samples, simulate production runs and evaluate new processes and chemistries while also allowing us to study plating capabilities, process optimization and troubleshoot problems in an in-house, controlled environment. The "Tech Centre" will also serve as a training facility for our own employees, our tier 1,2 & 3 customers and our potential customers", said Atotech Canada Managing Director, Mr. Gene Torcoletti.
The upper floor in the new building will house the latest analysis and testing equipment and control chambers for neutral salt spray testing, cyclic testing, torque, tension and thickness testing (XRF and eddie current methods) and a host of other analytical procedures. The lower floor's Material Science Laboratory will have advanced microscopy and SEM/EDX equipment to study metallography and plating properties such as elongation, ductibility and thickness, along with Hull Cell test facilities for the evaluation of bath & chemistry properties.
"We'll now be able to provide customers with unparalled quality control and analytical services and do it all right here", said Mr.Torcoletti. To find out more about Atotech's commitment to customer care and our new lab facilities and how we can serve you, contact Atotech Canada today.
Atotech Canada Ltd. Announces 2007
David Squirrel Memorial Scholarships Recipients
The 2007 Scholarship Committee at Atotech Canada Ltd., Burlington, ON, recently announced the recipients of the fourth annual David Squirrell Memorial Scholarships. The awards are presented from a fund that was established in 2004 as a memorial to honour Atotech employee, David Squirrell, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident on May 11th, of that year.
Comprising of financial packages for tuition assistance, the scholarships are awarded annually and are open to children of the staff of Atotech Canada Ltd. who are attending or about to attend a provincially recognized university or college. Once again, the Committee reviewed several applicants before the two recipients were named. The recipients were deemed to be the top academic performers as well as showing exemplary school and community spirit.
The 2007 recipients are David Bulir, who was also a recipient last year and is entering his second year at McMaster University in Health Sciences and Lynne Gosselin, who will be studying Psychology in an Honours BA program at the University of Ottawa.
Bulir intends to pursue a career as a medical practitioner and was active in various sports activities and teams during high school while also participating on the Student Council, ultimately serving as President. He served as a fund-raising organizer for St. Joseph Health Care Foundation and Breast Cancer Research and also won the Gord Carruth Outstanding Achievement Award for finishing Delta Secondary School with a 94.5 per cent average.
Gosselin graduated from Georges-P. Vanier High School with both a secondary school graduation diploma and a certificate of Excellence along with a Certificate of Bilingualism, having completed her secondary school career in French Immersion.
Atotech Canada Ltd. is proud of our 2007 recipients and wishes them the very best of luck in their endeavours. Special thanks also goes out to the 2007 Scholarship Committee; Sue Guida, Marivic Jakosalem, Marlene Vromans and Irene Mienicki for their time and dedication to the awards program.
Hexion Outbids for Huntsman
Hexion Specialty Chemicals, a manufacturer of thermoset resins, a unit of private equity firm Apollo Management, won the brief bidding war over Dutch-based chemical maker Basell to buy chemical company Huntsman.
Hexion’s $28 per share or total $6.5 billion in cash beats Basell’s $25.25 per share offer for the company.
Huntsman has locations in Ontario and Quebec as well as worldwide.
Basell to Buy Lyondell
On the heels of losing the Huntsman bid to Hexion, chemical manufacturer Basell has agreed to buy Lyondell Chemical, Houston, TX, for $12.1 billion in cash.
The merger between Basell and Lyondell will create one of the largest chemical companies in the world. The combined businesses would have had 2006 revenue of about $34 billion, the companies said.
The boards of both companies have approved the deal, which is expected to close in the next several months.
Basell is owned by Access Industries, a closely held industrial company based in the U.S.
Purchase Of Chemcraft Final
The acquisition of wood coatings manufacturer Chemcraft International by chemical and coatings manufacturer Akzo Nobel, announced in May is now final. The deal was finalized during the last week of July and the merged company is looking forward to what the future will hold.
Chemcraft International feels this acquisition will help it branch out globally at a much faster pace.
Bob Taylor, President and General Manager of Akzo Nobel’s Global
Industrial Finishes business stated in a press release earlier this year, “This transaction reinforces our long-term commitment to the North American wood coatings market and
provides us with important new growth opportunities in the Americas.”
It is currently business as usual for Chemcraft and no significant changes have been announced.
New to Northspec
Northspec Chemicals Corp. welcomes Mr. Robin Maleki to its Marketing and Sales Group as Account Representative – Technical Sales. Maleki will be based in Toronto, Ontario and will be responsible for key customers in the coatings, plastics, rubber, composites, and related areas in this region.
A graduate from the University College London, United Kingdom in Chemical Engineering, Maleki joins Northspec with extensive industry experience in chemical technical sales roles.
MultiChem Distributes New Lines
Lambent Technologies, Gurnee, IL, has selected MultiChem Inc. of Boucherville, QC, as Canadian distributor for their line of surfactants to the inks, coatings, HI&I and industrial markets. Amisol Division of MultiChem has been selling Lambent products into the Life Sciences market, so this move will now allow both companies to use one distribution channel for Canada.
SE Tylose GmbH & Co., Wiesbaden, Germany, has signed a distribution agreement with MultiChem Inc. for their line of Cellulose Ethers. MultiChem will service the coatings, construction and life sciences markets across Canada.
RANBAR Electrical Materials Inc. (Manor, PA) has signed a distribution agreement with MultiChem Inc. for all their resin technologies. This provides both parties with a tremendous opportunity to service the small and mid-size industrial coatings manufacturers.
Coating Equipment Solutions Co. Starts Up
with 70+ Years Experience, Eight Business Units
The top management of the new Coating Equipment Solutions Company (CESCO) have combined their 70 years of experience to incorporate this engineering house and equipment manufacturer, for high-volume organic finishing. CESCO has already been appointed an OEM Distributor for Wagner liquid and powder coating systems.
The company is organized in eight related business units: finishing systems design, cleaning and pretreatment, powder coating, liquid finishing, electrocoating, ovens and heat processing, material handling, and control engineering. It provides sales program management, and extensive technical support throughout Canada, the US and Mexico.
The company offers a broad range of customized systems, from manual batch to fully automated. They say their system designs are distinguished by a strong emphasis on control technology, and new component and interface strategies that reduce energy costs.
Kreeger Retires from Nordson
If you were to put a human face to Nordson Corporation in North America, that face would be Ken Kreeger. His down to earth speaking style and extensive knowledge makes him easy to relate to as he travels the globe, representing the company at industry trade shows giving seminars on quick colour change and singing the praises of Nordson Corporation, the company he has given his loyal service to for over 40 years.
However, as Kreeger puts it “The time has come to take a bit of a rest.”
Although Kreeger jokes that, “I started when I was five,” Nordson became part of Kreeger’s life when he was a young adult and he has since taken on a variety of roles, including technical service, installation supervisor, engineering, and sales and marketing.
Kreeger is currently Director of New Business Development Worldwide for the Nordson Industrial Coating & Automotive Systems division, in Amherst, Ohio. Responsible for all new finishing business development worldwide.
Kreeger holds four patents for powder coating equipment.
He has instructed and presented papers at numerous industry clinics, conference and educational events for PCI, CCAI, SME/AFP, PEI, The University of Southern Mississippi, and other organizations.
He is also Co-author of Powder Coating, The Complete Finisher’s Handbook (PCI) and AFP/SME Powder Coating Book.
When it comes to Professional Organizations, Kreeger is Past President of the Board of Directors for the Porcelain Enamel Institute; Past President of the Powder Coating Institute (PCI) 2003-2004; Member on the PCI Board of Directors 2004 to 2005. He is currently President of the Board of Directors for PCI in 2008.
“With over 40 years’ experience in the finishing industry, Ken Kreeger has been part of this industry since its very inception in the early 1970s. In that time he’s been a part of the evolution of this dynamic coating application technology,” states a press release from Nordson.
With powder in his blood, Kreeger plans to do some consulting within the industry after leaving Nordson. Although, “He's not sure exactly what right now, but that's the plan,” says the company. He sees new opportunities opening up around the world every day, with the potential for significant growth on a global scale. And, he admits, since powder is such a ‘clean’ process, it’s a perfect fit in this age of lean and green!
New at Multichem
MultiChem Inc., Boucherville, QC, is very pleased to announce the hiring of Elizabeth Quintal as an Account Manager for the Industrial Specialties business unit. Liz will work from the Mississauga sales office and be responsible for all coatings accounts in Ontario and will also provide technical sales support to customers in western Canada and Quebec.
New at Northspec
Troy Corporation announces Philip Ford as the new Director, Wood Protection.
Ford will lead all aspects of Troy Corporation Wood Business Group worldwide. He is responsible for the management of wood protection technologies and the development of new wood application markets for Troy specialty products.
He began his professional career as Manager, International Sales & Marketing at Borax Consolidated Ltd., London, England and was transferred to Valencia, California after three years, where he held the positions of Manager, Business Center and Global Business Manager, Biocides Group. He then began his own Consulting firm, namely, Ford, Falls & Associates located in Los Angeles, California. He subsequently accepted the position of Chief Operating Officer at Morwear Manufacturing, Inc., Los Angeles, California. His most recent position was Chief Operating Officer at Diversified Coatings, Inc. also in Los Angeles.
Ford has a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Mining Engineering from the Royal School of Mines in London, England and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the Cranfield School of Management in Cranfield, England. He was a winner of Dun & Bradstreet’s “Best Business” award, placing in the top 10.
Clariant Increases Price Of Waxes
The Additives Business Unit of Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, has announced an increase in the price of its waxes because of higher raw material, transportation and energy costs. Clariant produces high performance waxes which are used mainly in plastics, coatings and inks, as well as in adhesives and polishes.
The company indicated that they already initiated reasonable efforts in order to offset these costs, such as in particular the LeanSigma-based “Clariant Excellence” program, but the recent further cost development leaves no other alternative than a price increase.
The increase will be effective on April 1st, 2010.
Dianal Price Increase
Effective April 5, 2010, Dianal America, Inc., will increase prices on its acrylic and styrene/acrylic bead resins by approximately 8 per cent. The increases are necessitated by unremitting cost increases.
Hexion Specialty Chemicals To Raise Prices For Epoxy Resins
Effective March 1, 2010, or as contracts allow, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. has increased prices for its epoxy resins in the Americas from four to eight cents per pound, depending on the resin type. The price adjustment is driven by increases in the cost of key raw materials.
CCP Price Increases
Cook Composites and Polymers (CCP) has announced a $0.07-$0.10 per-pound price increase, depending on grade, for all Reafree powder coatings resin materials. New prices are effective for orders shipped on or after March 22, 2010, or as contracts allow.
Effective for orders shipped on or after March 12, 2010, CCP will increase prices for Chempol solution acrylic coatings resins and Coroc additives. Chempol resins, conventional solids, will increase 10-15 cents per pound. Chempol resins, high solids, will increase 15-20 cents per pound. Coroc additives will increase 30 cents per pound.
CCP has also announced a price increase for all emulsions products effective for shipments on and after March 25, 2010. Prices will increase up to $0.07 per pound for all ESI-CRYL® and ESI-REZ® emulsion polymers, wax emulsions and resin solutions. Continued increases in key raw-material costs have driven the necessity for this increase.
Arkema Emulsion Systems Announces Price Increase for Latex Products
Effective April 1, 2010 or as contracts allow, Arkema Emulsion Systems will increase the price of all latex products. UCAR® acrylic, styrene-acrylic, styrene-butadiene and NEOCAR® Acrylic latexes will increase by $0.07 per wet pound. UCAR vinyl-acrylic, EVOCAR® vinyl acetate-ethylene and NEOCAR Latexes will increase by $0.03 per wet pound.
This action is driven by the sustained increase in the cost of key feedstocks and raw materials and by the company’s commitment to maintain margins that allow for ongoing reinvestment to meet customers’ future needs.
Customers should contact their Arkema Emulsion Systems account representative for additional details.
Evonik Increases Prices
Evonik Industries’ Coatings and Additives business unit announced a worldwide increase in prices for adhesive resins sold under the brand names DYNACOLL, DYNAPOL S and VESTOPLAST product range effective Oct. 1, 2009. The price increase will be up to EUR 0.35/kg.
CCP to Raise Prices
Cook Composites and Polymers (CCP) has increased prices for its graphic arts market product portfolio. Effective for shipments on and after Nov. 1, 2009, prices will increase up to $0.05 per pound for all ESI-CRYL emulsion polymers, wax emulsions and resin solutions and up to $0.10 per pound for all ESI-REZ solid-grade resins.
The company also announced an $.08 per pound price increase for all Reafree powder coatings resin materials. New prices are effective for orders shipped on or after Oct. 19, 2009, or as contracts allow. CCP says substantial hikes in key raw material costs have driven the necessity for this increase.
LANXESS Increases Prices for Toner Oxides
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS’ Inorganic Pigments (IPG) business unit has increased its prices worldwide for toner oxides effective Oct. 15, 2009. The price increase will comprise up to EUR 175 or $250 per metric ton depending on the product and region. The company says the main reason for this price rise is the significant increase in raw material costs since the beginning of the year.
Sartomer Revises Prices on Monomers and Oligomers
Global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company, Exton, Pa., increased prices, October 1, 2009, on its monomers and oligomers by the following amounts (U.S. $/lb.): Acrylate Monomers $0.12, Oligomers $0.12, Methacrylate Monomers $0.07, SR506 (IBOA) $0.45 and SR423 (IBOMA) $0.45.
The price adjustments apply to oligomer and monomer shipments in the Americas. The company says these adjustments are necessitated by volatility in availability and costs of key raw materials and related feedstocks.
PPG Plans Coatings Price Hikes
PPG Industries Inc. will increase prices for architectural coatings across distribution channels in January 2010 in response to escalating raw material costs.
PPG Architectural Coatings supplies architectural paint and coatings for residential, commercial and industrial uses through home centers, company-owned paint stores and independent dealers nationwide. Its brands include Pittsburgh Paints, Porter Paints, Olympic Paints and Stains, and PPG.
Price Increase SI Group
SI Group, Inc. increased prices on all Para Tertiary Butyl Phenol and Para Tertiary Octyl Phenol based resins effective October 15, 2009. This increase is due to a change in the economics of Isobutylene (IB) and Di-Isobutylene (DIB). North American IB and DIB producers have been impacted by changes in their supply chains, including the bankruptcy of a key feedstock supplier. SI Group has worked diligently to mitigate the effects of these changes by securing supply positions with IB and DIB vendors.
SI Group has also increased prices on Nonylphenol and Amylphenol based resins effective October 15, 2009, due to significant olefin cost changes.
Dainal Increase
Dianal America, Inc., has increased prices for its line of acrylic and styrene/ acrylic polymers effective October 9, 2009. The increases will range from 5 to 8 per cent and are needed due to higher raw material costs and other costs associated with production.