DSM Copolymer and DSM Hydrocarbons form alliance.

DSM Copolymer, Addis, LA, a producer of EPDM and a speciality manufacturer of oil additives, has established a purchasing alliance with DSM Hydrocarbons, Houston, TX. DSM Hydrocarbons will direct hydrocarbons sourcing on behalf of DSM Copolymer facilities in Addis and Baton Rouge, LA. The purpose of this alliance is to further streamline the supply chain for DSM and its suppliers.

TSE Industries, Clearwater, FL, appointed Rhein Chemie as its worldwide distributor of millable polyurethane product lines. TSE's Millathane and Thanecure products will be marketed globally by Rhein Chemie and its affiliate Rhein Chemie Rheinbau GmbH.

Leonard Enterprises, Corona, CA, a supplier of deflashing equipment, has entered into a partnership agreement with BOC Gases, said to be one of the largest molecule suppliers in the world.

Rapra Technology Limited of the United Kingdom is the latest recruit to the International Rubber Study Group's Panel of Associates, which links the secretariat of the intergovernmental group more closely with a range of major rubber companies and organizations worldwide. Rapra Technology Limited is said to be Europe's leading independent rubber and plastics specialist, providing technical and information services for all industry sectors.

Engelhard, Iselin, NJ, has entered into a joint venture to manufacture and market auto-emission catalysts in the People's Republic of China. The new company, Shanghai Engelhard Sinopec Environmental Technologies Ltd., is 60% owned by Engelhard and 40% by Sinopec International Co., Ltd., which is a subsidiary of Sinopec, China's largest petroleum refiner. The joint venture is planning to begin production in the Pudong section of Shanghai by early next year.

Marangoni Tread North America has appointed Ringtread dealers for the U.S. market. The first retreader to introduce Ringtread system technology into its production process is Ray Carr Tires of Harrisonburg, VA. Also, A to Z Tire, headquartered in Amarillo, TX, began manufacturing Ringtread system retreads at its plant facility in San Antonio, TX..

U.S. Silica, Berkeley Springs, WV, has appointed three distributors, including Seegott of Kingwood, TX; Koprima S.A. de C.V. of Mexico City, Mexico; and M.F. Cachet, Mystic Warehouse & Distribution of Andover, MA.

Hankook Tire Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea, announced that Ford Motor has selected Hankook to supply the 2000 model year Ford Focus. This application is for North American vehicles produced at Ford's Wayne, MI assembly plant, and represents Hankook's first supply of original equipment tires to Ford. An engineer from U.K.-based Chronos Richardson's Kuala Lumpur regional center returned from the Peoples Republic of China having successfully overseen customer acceptance trials at the Jiangsu Hankook Tire Co., Ltd. in Huaiyin Province. The extensive material throughput and fines level monitoring trials were the final phase of a contract valued at $700,000, which involved supplying, installing and commissioning an intake and transfer system for handling carbon black fillers.

Tantec, Schaumburg, IL, announced a distribution agreement with Aigle SPA, Turin, Italy, for state-of-the-art flocking, surface preparation, coating and curing equipment to the North American automotive trim market.

Neville Chemical, Pittsburgh, PA, and Les Derives Resiniques & Terpeniques (DRT), DAX, France, have agreed to evaluate a partnership involving their interests in the tackifier dispersion business for pressure sensitive adhesives applications.

Two of the largest injection molding machines built by HPM, Mount Gilead, OH, including 5,000-ton, two-platen, hydromechanical Next Wave series machines, were purchased by General Motor's Saturn Division to mold interior parts and body panels for the division's mid-size LS sedan at its facility in Spring Hill, TN.

Pabini Traders Ltd., Nairobi, Kenya, will represent Dyna-Purge purging compounds in the countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Shuman Plastics, Buffalo, NY, is the manufacturer of Dyna-Purge compounds. Pabini Traders specializes in the sale and marketing of additives, concetrates and specialty compounds.