Crompton & Knowles and Witco complete merger.

Shareholders of Crompton & Knowles and Witco approved proposals creating CK Witco, and the merger subsequently was completed. Net merger savings are expected to reach up to approximately $60 million per year by the second full year of the combined operations. CK Witco is one of the world's largest specialty chemical companies, with annual sales of about $3.3 billion. The company will have approximately 10,000 employees and 63 manufacturing facilities in 19 countries.

CK Witco, Middlebury, CT, announced that its Uniroyal Chemical subsidiary will enter into a joint venture with Teknor Apex, Pawtucket, RI, to develop and market thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) used in the automotive, construction and consumer markets. Uniroyal Chemical will commit its EPDM technology to the venture and provide technical support. Teknor Apex will commit its TPV technology to the joint venture, as well as providing technical and marketing support. Teknor Apex will manufacture TPV products at Pawtucket that will be sold under the Uniprene tradename.

EniChem America and EniChem Elastomers America, fully owned subsidiaries of EniChem SpA, Milan, Italy, are merging into one company, which will be called EniChem Americas. The merger will unite the thermoplastic rubber production activity of EniChem Elastomers America and the commercial and distribution activity of EniChem America.