Akzo Nobel expands in North America.

In this demanding period where much of the automotive industry is cutting costs and reducing resources, Akzo Nobel Automotive Plastics Coatings has made the decision to break ground on an 11,000 square feet of production expansion project in Pontiac, MI that will incorporate state-of-the art plastic coatings equipment and processes.

This expansion will include elements to improve overall operational efficiencies and throughput. An automotive coatings Automatic Dosing Unit (ADU) blending site will reduce batch making times, while at the same time improve the consistency and quality of the products. A new waterborne production footprint will support the growing interior waterborne coatings segment and position the production capabilities to support future waterborne exterior topcoat activities.

"This progressive investment demonstrates Akzo Nobel's commitment to aggressively grow its North American automotive plastic coatings business," said Conrad Keijzer, general manager, automotive plastic coatings.

CHEMARK'S NEW STUDY

In response to the growing interest in nanotechnology, The Chemark Consulting Group of Southern Pines, NC, has published its new first edition multi-client study, "Nanotechnology's Role in the Global Coatings Industry."

According to Chemark, while the interest in nanotechnology is growing rapidly, the hype surrounding this technology is growing even faster. Because of the enthusiasm and emotional "push" emanating from the technology's underlying potential, spurned on by speculation, technical (and non-technical) opinions and most of all, the plethora of patent filings being sought, Chemark highlights the importance of being extremely careful in determining what resources will be required to position with nano-based technologies for the coatings applications in various markets.

Chemark's stresses the importance of not getting caught up in the emotional "push," and conversely, determine where the market "pull" will be derived to support development and marketing efforts.

A few of the strategic questions Chemark addresses in its study include: What is a true nano as opposed to near-nano and non-nano technologies? Within the paint and coatings industries, where do these technologies fit? When will nano-based coating technologies be commercially viable? What features will differentiate nano-based coatings from commonly available systems? What will be the economic value proposition by market segment that will cause nano-based coatings to capture share from the incumbent technologies?

In "Nanotechnology's Role in the Global Coatings Industry" Chemark addresses these grass roots questions among many others in order to assist management by showing to what extent various markets are affected and the impact these dynamics have on current and future end-uses for coating systems on a global basis.

For more information write, e-mail call or fax The Chemark Consulting Group, Inc., 230 North Bennett St., Suite #3, Southern Pines, NC 28387; 910-692-2492; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail].

X-RITE COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF AMAZYS HOLDING AG

X-Rite, Incorporated, a manufacturer offering color measurement technology solutions, has completed the acquisition of Amazys Holding AG, otherwise known as the brand name GretagMacbeth. X-Rite will utilize color science and technology knowledge to increase value for all stakeholders and expand global color market through innovation. The combined company expects to achieve approximately $25 million of annual operating expense savings in connection with the transaction in year three.

"Our new company combines top notch talent, technology and products in the color industry," said Michael C. Ferrara, X-Rite CEO. "We expect our expertise, talent and technology to help us expand the global color market through innovation." The global headquarters for the combined entity is in Grandville, MI, with European headquarters in Regensdorf, Switzerland, and Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong.

AMERON TO SELL COATINGS BUSINESS TO PPG

Ameron International Corporation has agreed to sell its worldwide performance coatings and finishes business to PPG Industries.

"We are pleased with the anticipated sale of Coatings," said James Marlen, Ameron's chairman, president and CEO. "The exit from coatings will allow us to redeploy resources to Ameron's three remaining consolidated businesses, where we have leadership positions.

"Coatings no longer fits our strategic objectives," Marlen continued. "In recent years, the financial performance of Ameron's coatings business did not meet expectations, partly due to difficult conditions in global markets. Also, consolidations within the coatings industry provided larger companies with greater economies of scale and constrained Ameron's ability to grow."

Coatings had sales of $210 million in 2005. Ameron will sell the worldwide coatings business, while retaining certain real properties currently used by coatings. Ameron will receive $115 million, plus working capital adjustments, for the business acquired by PPG.

VALSPAR TO ACQUIRE MAJORITY INTEREST IN HUARUN PAINTS

The Valspar Corporation has agreed to acquire a significant majority of the share capital of Huarun Paints Holdings Company Limited (Huarun Paints), one of China's largest independent coatings companies, from Champion Regal, a Hong Kong-based investment company. Founded in 1991, Huarun Paints has grown to become one of China's leading domestic suppliers of wood and furniture coatings and a rapidly growing supplier of architectural coatings. Huarun Paints achieved sales of approximately $180 million in 2005, primarily through its focus on the development of an extensive network of distributors and exclusive retail paint stores throughout China.

"Valspar is pleased to expand its presence in China with Huarun Paints' management team and current shareholders as our partners," said William Mansfield, Valspar's president and CEO. "We have a high regard for the entrepreneurial culture established by the company's founders and the superb senior management team leading its growth. As a group, the company's current shareholders and management team will retain a minority interest in Huarun Paints. They have developed an outstanding distribution network with significant growth potential. By combining the resources of our two companies, we intend to expand Huarun Paints' product offering and geographic reach in the world's fastest growing coatings market."

AKZO NOBEL PUBLISHES GLOBAL COATINGS REPORT

Akzo Nobel has launched its first ever global assessment of the coatings market and its future prospects.

"The Global Coatings Report 2006" market overview was compiled by Euromonitor and also highlights the role of coatings in providing color and protection, as well as explaining the technology and innovation behind coatings development and production.

"One of the aims of this report is to challenge the popular misconceptions that coatings are boring," said Hans Wijers, Akzo Nobel CEO. "We've all heard the saying 'it's like watching paint dry.' But the report provides a fascinating insight into an industry that is constantly innovating and has a very exciting future in store."

One of the major chapters in the report is the market analysis compiled by Euromonitor, which offers a positive outlook for the industry. "The coatings market is forecast to show healthy growth, with pockets of fast growth in Eastern Europe, parts of Asia and in product categories which answer changing demand patterns, notably those which offer environmental benefit combined with effectiveness and cost efficiency," the report said.

In addition to analyzing the industry both in terms of region and sector, "The Global Coatings Report 2006" also addresses the commitment of the industry to continuous improvement in environmental performance and takes a glimpse into the future.

NCOAT'S NANO-STRUCTURED COATING WINS AWARD

nCoat, Inc., an emerging nanotechnology company in the high performante coatings market, has won the Utah Innovations Award in the Chemicals/Materials Science category of the fourth annual Stoel Utah Innovations Awards competition.

The winning nCoat nanotechnology-based coating is designed to protect materials requiring a high level of heat resistance. The nCoat coating has been tested for use on space vehicles to create thermal barriers upon re-entry. It has been tested to withstand temperatures in excess of 4,200[degrees]F for sustained durations.

PCI HONORS HANI AZZAM

The Powder Coating Institute (PCI) honored Hani Azzam, a powder coating pioneer who has made major contributions to the powder coating industry, with a PCI Hall of Fame Award at the 2006 PCI Annual Meeting, May 23rd, at the La Quinta Resort, in La Quinta, CA.

Hani Azzam was introduced by newly elected PCI secretary-treasurer Chris Merritt of ITW Gema, who gave a detailed account of Azzam's career and accomplishments in the powder coating industry.

A founding member of PCI in 1981, Azzam was an effective promoter of powder coatings in the early years, and helped attract new members to PCI during this period.

He was one of the pioneers of electrostatic powder coating application, bringing the Gema application equipment line to the U.S. in 1969. He served on the PCI board of directors from 1981 to 1983, and has been a participant in PCI and the technology of powder coating for over 30 years.

TORONTO CANADA TO HOST ICE 2007

The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology (FSCT) has announced Toronto as the site for ICE 2007. Wednesday, Oct. 3 to Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, adjacent to the CN Tower and Rogers Centre Sports Complex.

"We are very pleased to be hosting ICE 2007 in Canada," said Bob Ziegler, executive director of FSCT. "Toronto is a vibrant and friendly city, a location that will be especially attractive to international visitors. We also hope to forge even stronger relationships with our Canadian Societies through ICE 2007."

With an expected attendance of 6,500, ICE 2007 will be the year's major industry meeting. It will include the International Coatings Expo, the largest North American exhibition of raw materials, equipment and services for the manufacturing industry and educational programs to help attendees 'think outside of the box.' Returning for a second year will be FutureCoat!--a major technical conference examining the most innovative methods and applications shaping the future of the coatings industry.

The FSCT's last show in Canada was in 1991. "The expo and convention will offer attendees the opportunity to meet with top industry experts, to consult with the sales and technical staff of leading suppliers, and observe first-hand the wide variety of products and technologies the coatings industry has to offer." said Ziegler. "Hosting ICE in 2007 will ensure that we provide the educational, professional development and business opportunities that all of our members and exhibitors have come to expect."

NURNBERG CONGRESS CALL FOR PAPERS

The Nurnberg Congress, held during the European Coatings Show 2007 has officially announced its call for papers. The theme of the congress, held from May 7-9, 2007, is "Formulating the Future." The deadline for the submission of technical for the submission of technical paper for The Nurnberg Congress is Oct. 5, 2006. Detailed information about the call for papers can be found on the web at www.coatings.de/callforpapers.

CATERPILLAR SELECTS DELMIA IGRIP

Dassault Systemes, which is active in 3-D and product lifecycle management solutions, announced that its Delmia Igrip robotic solution and UltraPaint have been implemented at the Caterpillar facility in Decatur. IL to assist in the upgrade of the company's robotic paint production lines where a number of new robots have been installed requiring intensive re-programming.

Igrip is a physics-based, scalable robotic simulation solution for quick and graphical modeling and off-line programming (OLP) of complex, multi-device robotic workcells for applications such as painting, welding, dispensing, material removal and machine tending. The OLP capability allows users to accurately program robotic systems without tying up physical resources on the factory floor thereby reducing man-hours and process engineering lead-time while improving accuracy, according to the company.

Included with the UltraPaint is a complete set of painting simulation tools. Spray gun and paint attributes can be entered into the painting device and the results can be graphically displayed in multiple colors illustrating relative film thickness or exact thickness can be obtained though the use of a built-in film build gauge. Complex paint booths can be constructed, and multiple robot moving line applications can be simulated.