Goodyear, Michelin form run-flat joint venture.

Goodyear Tire and Rubber, Akron, OH, and Michelin, Clermont-Ferrand, France, announced an agreement that they will cooperate to provide auto manufacturers and consumers with significant new choices in run-flat tire systems. The two companies will cooperate in the research and development of advanced run-flat technologies through a joint venture. By contributing resources for joint run-flat research and development, Goodyear and Michelin will dramatically accelerate the availability of advanced run-flat systems for automotive manufacturers and consumers. They also will provide manufacturers with additional sourcing opportunities as the two companies develop complementary but competitive products for their markets. The joint venture will be headquartered in the Netherlands. Goodyear will license its extended mobility technology and pressure monitoring system patents to Michelin. Michelin will license the PAX System to Goodyear.

Cryogenic Systems & Parts, Costa Mesa, CA, a manufacturer of cryogenic deflashing equipment, has enetered into a contract with Delphi Automotive Systems to supply them with cryogenic deflashing equipment. Cryogenic Systems & Parts named Dave Norton & Associates sales agent for its equipment in the midwest and east coast regions of the U.S., as well as most of Canada.

Dow Corning, Midland, MI, and the General Polymers Division of Ashland Distribution, Dublin, OH, announced an agreement under which General Polymers will become a non-exclusive North American distributor of Dow Corning's siloxane-based resin additives. Under terms of the agreement, General Polymers will market MB Masterbatch Series additives and Si Powder Resin Modifiers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as provide related technical and applications support.

J-Von, Leominster, MA, a global supplier of high-performance, engineered thermoplastic elastomers, announced an agreement with Primeline Polymers to serve as the company's west coast distributor and representative in CA, OR, WA, AZ and NV. A division of the Los Angeles, CA-based Ecoplast, Primeline Polymers operates a 47,000 sq. ft. warehouse and distribution facility in Pomona, CA.

Geon, Avon Lake, OH, and M.A. Hanna, Cleveland, OH, jointly announced that the new company they plan to form as a result of their previously announced consolidation will be named PolyOne. The consolidation should be completed in the third quarter, pending regulatory review and shareholder approval.

Rubber and plastic equipment manufacturer Conceptromec, Magog, Quebec, Canada, signed a long-term agreement with the German plastic and rubber cutting machines manufacturer, Max Muller GmbH, to sell the company's cutting machines in Canada and the U.S.

Following the merger of TotalFina and Elf Aquitaine, it was announced that the chemical operation of the company would be renamed Atofina. Elf Atochem North America becomes Atofina Chemicals, and Fina Oil & Chemical becomes Atofina Petrochemicals. Atofina Chemicals, which employs 4,000 people, will keep its headquarters in Philadelphia, PA. Atofina Petrochemicals, which employs 2,000 people, will move its headquarters from Dallas to Houston, TX.

Neville Chemical, Pittsburgh, PA, and Les Derives Resiniques & Terpeniques, Landes, France, announced a joint venture involving their interests in the tackifier dispersion business for the adhesives market. ND Dispersions LLC is being formed to serve the North American market.