Ciba specialty chemicals adds European distributors. (Contracts, Licenses).

Ciba Specialty Chemicals' Plastic Additives Segment. a supplier of stabilization systems for synthetic rubber, plans to strengthen promotion of its range of additives to the rub bet compounding industry using specialized distributors. Ciba Specialty Chemicals additives for rubber compounds will from now on be distributed in Germany by Velox GmbH, and in the U.K. by Elastomerics. The German company Velox GmbH supplies synthetic rubbers, antioxidants and antiozonants, accelerators, retarders, blowing agents, pyrolysis blacks and predispersed chemicals. In the U.K., Ciba will expand its existing cooperation with Elastomerics to encompass products for the rubber industry. Elastomerics supplies synthetic rubbers, silane coupling agents, flame retardants, rubber accelerators, polyethylene waxes and rubber-to-metal bonding agents. Distributors for other European countries will be announced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals' Plastic Additives Segment in the next few months.

EarthShell, Santa Barbara, CA, and DuPont, Wilmington. DE, have expanded their relationship from the joint development agreement formed in April 2001 to a strategic alliance. Initially, the companies will locus on the $1 billion global food service wraps market. The alliance combines EarthShell's patented composite material technology with DuPont's expertise in materials, development, manufacturing and marketing, offering environmentally preferred packaging and systems to the food service industry. EarthShell and DuPont intend to collaborate closely to identify opportunities that combine EarthShell packaging with DuPont Biomax hydro/biodegradable polyester coatings/films and technology.

Lord, Cary, NC, has received a multi-year contract from General Motors for the production of cab mounts for GMC TopKick and Chevrolet Kodiak medium-duty trucks.

Dow Corning, Midland, MI, and EIS, Atlanta, GA, have aligned to supply and service Dow Corning products to electronics, transportation, electrical, moldmaking and fabrication industries in North America. Under the distribution agreement, EIS will market and sell Dow Corning electronic and electrical materials to customers in North America. Dow Corning will provide product and technical support. The relationship combines EIS' distribution channel with Dow Corning's broad product line, technical capabilities and flexibility to develop products to fit specific customer needs at a competitive price, according to the companies. In addition, EIS will now be able to offer customers a complete product line. including lubricants.

Rubber Technology International has reached an agreement with Recovery Technologies Group, a Delaware corporation, for the lease of RTI's Los Angeles, CA facility and the equipment located in that facility. Under the terms of the agreement, RTI agreed to lease its Los Angeles crumb rubber production facility to RTG in exchange for $26,000 per month for five years. After five years, RTG has an option to extend the lease or purchase the Los Angeles facility.

Fitz Chem, Elmhurst, IL, a distributor/sales agent of raw materials to the paint, coatings, plastics, rubber, ink and adhesives industries, has been appointed as distributor for U,S. Zinc's Zinc Oxide Division in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Trelleborg Building Systems has signed an international marketing and sales cooperation agreement with JPS Elastomerics, a division of JPS Industries. JPS Elastomerics' range of thermoplastic polyolefin-based roof covering and geomembrane products will be offered in Europe by Trelleborg Building Systems.

Acrolab has been named the official North American distributor of Incos HRS hot runner systems, Incos HRS is based in Italy.

Rohm and Haas, Philadelphia, PA, and Omnova Solutions, Fairlawn, OH, announced the formation of a commercial joint venture company to market, sell and service latex binders, synthetic pigments and specialty chemical additives for coating applications in the global paper and paperboard industry. The joint venture company, called RohmNova LLC, is equally owned by Rohm mid Haas and Omnova Solutions, and will be headquartered in Mogadore, OH.

The General Polymers Division of Ashland Distribution. Dublin, OH, and Georgia Gulf. Atlanta, GA, announced an agreement establishing General Polymers as the only national distributor for Georgia Gulf brand polyvinyl chloride compounds for the plastics industry.

Dow Automotive, Auburn Hills, MI, has entered into an alliance with Cyclics, Schenectady, NY, to develop cyclic butylene terephthalate resins for automotive applications. The material development activities will be focused on a number of automotive structural composites, including vertical and horizontal body panels and truck boxes. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.