The weathering performance of polyurethane topcoats can be altered by changing variables such as pigment-to-binder (P/B) ratio, isocyanates index, resin/polyisocyanate selection, fillers and additives. Two BMS scientists set out to determine what effect modifying these variables has on the performance of 2K PU topcoats used in corrosion protection applications.

Bekaert and Element Partners signed an agreement regarding the sale of Bekaert's Industrial Coatings activities to Element Partners. The transaction covers the production facilities in Deinze and Jiangyin, the maintenance activity at Spring Green, and the respective sales organization. The deal involves all 130 employees currently working in the Industrial Coatings platform.

At the EC Marine coatings conference on 29th February, Croda will present the paper "Novel toughening agent for improved impact resistance of epoxy coatings". Croda's B-Tough C2 toughening agent brings performance properties such as excellent impact resistance, improved flexibility whilst maintaining hardness, low viscosity and the material is non-migratory due to epoxy functionality.

Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. announced that it will increase prices for Epoxy Resins, Allylics and bisphenol A in the Americas, effective Feb.15, 2012, or as contract terms allow. Prices for these products will increase for list and off-list prices due to increases in the cost of raw materials. These increases are in addition to all previously announced increases.

Oxea will increase off-list prices on i/n Butyl Acetate in Europe. Further, Oxea will increase list and off-list prices on i/n Butanol, i/n Butyl Acetate, n Butyraldehyde, n Propanol, n Propyl Acetate in the USA, Canada, and Mexico region. Oxea will monitor all product sales and may restrict purchases to forecast volumes in order to protect long term and contract customers.

A session titled "Green Chemistry", detailing the latest advances in sustainable manufacturing processes for key polyurethane raw materials, will open the technical programme of the prestigious UTECH Europe 2012 conference on 17 April. The session comprises 12 papers which are expected to announce developments in the production of useful raw materials from natural and renewable resources.

Dow Corning recently hosted 4 successful webinars regarding its latest proven Si-based coatings additives which attracted more than 1000 registrations with over 50% participation. Dow Corning well featured its new family of Dow Corning® brand slip and leveling agents that are effective on wood, furniture and plastics. Participants showed great interests in its superwetting additives.

DSM announced a successful collaboration with medical manufacturer EPflex to launch a set of guidewires with ComfortCoat® hydrophilic coating, a proprietary DSM technology. EPflex will manufacture the guidewires and DSM will provide the coating technology. DSM's ComfortCoat® coating further improves the performance of the guidewire systems by providing a durable lubricious coating.

EcoSynthetix announced that it has secured $2.1 in funding from SDTC. This funding will support a project for the further development of EcoSynthetix's novel EcoMer® bio-based monomer platform that has the potential to address a $30 Bn target market across multiple industrial applications such as toners, water-based inks, water-based paints and coatings, surfactants and PSAs.

The demand for paints and coatings is expected to present countless opportunities for suppliers of raw materials and finished products in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. Increasing urbanization, coupled with the growth of the middle class, are also set to promote market prospects.

nanoShell's nano coatings for glass are being used by property managers and building owners to reduce the impact of bird fouling sticking to glazing, especially for high level glass atriums and glass curtain walling where access and cleaning is difficult, dangerous and costly. The protective coating product is applied to provide a durable, hydrophobic and invisible coating that lasts over 5 years.

An innovative low-cost smart paint that can detect microscopic faults in wind turbines, mines and bridges before structural damage occurs is being developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde. The environmentally-friendly paint uses nanotechnology to detect movement in large structures, and could shape the future of safety monitoring.

As part of its Enhanced Chemical Management Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released Chemical Action Plans for the polyurethane raw materials methylene diphenyl diisocyanate and toluene diisocyanate. MDI and TDI are used in the production of polyurethane foams for the construction and furniture industries, as well as polyurethane coatings and elastomers.

Cytec Industries announced its net earnings for the fourth quarter 2011 of USD 41.6M or USD 0.88 per diluted share on net sales of USD 731M. Included in the quarter are several special items that total USD 1.3M of net income after-tax or USD 0.02 per diluted share and are outlined further in this release. Excluding these special items, net earnings were USD 40.3M or USD 0.86 per diluted share.

Gevo, Inc received a landmark patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office ("USPTO") on its GIFT(R) separation unit, a central element in the Company's unique fermentation technology for the production of isobutanol. Gevo was awarded U.S. Patent No. 8,101,808, "Recovery of Higher Alcohols From Dilute Aqueous Solutions."

InteliCoat Technologies®, a world leader in coated paper, film, and specialty substrates for digital imaging applications, announced that it has partnered with Exopack® Advanced Coatings, a global specialist in contract coating, laminating and finishing flexible materials, to improve InteliCoat's manufacturing capabilities.

LANXESS is continuing to expand its Indian production site in Jhagadia, Gujarat state. The specialty chemicals group is underlining its commitment to the subcontinent by inaugurating three new plants this month to serve the growing India market. LANXESS has invested over EUR 70 million and created roughly 300 new jobs at the site.

The report is part of NanoMarkets' ongoing coverage of materials and markets in photovoltaics. In this report, NanoMarkets examines the emerging opportunities for selling "smart" coatings into the solar panel industry. In this report NanoMarkets examines the potential for self-cleaning, self-healing, electrochromic and thermochromic coatings in the PV applications over the next eight years.

Bayer MaterialScience LLC scientists have developed a waterborne polyurethane coatings technology for healthcare facilities that is just what the doctor ordered: it offers hospital facility managers a durable coating - which is inherently low in VOCs - that is resistant to harsh cleaners and disinfectants without sacrificing aesthetics.

Eastman Chemical Company and Solutia Inc. announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement, under which Eastman will acquire Solutia, a global leader in performance materials and specialty chemicals. Under the terms of the agreement, Solutia stockholders will receive $22.00 in cash and 0.12 shares of Eastman common stock for each share of Solutia common stock.