Lord receives license for aqueous coatings technology.

Lord, Cary, NC, completed a licensing agreement for proprietary technology from G.B.I.E. for water-based coatings for automotive weatherstrip. This line of products is said to complement Lord's line of Autoseal adhesives and coatings for weatherstrip interior and exterior automotive applications. Autoseal aqueous coatings for on- or off-line processes are said to offer high-abrasion resistance, low COFs, noise reduction and good ice release. Used in high-performance applications such as glass runs (dense rubber), and functional applications such as door and deck seals (sponge rubber), these coatings can also be used as low-friction coatings for optimal performance.

Alternative Rubber & Plastics, Tonawanda, NY, has been appointed exclusive distributor of Petroflex Nitrile (NBR) products for the U.S. and Canada. Alternative Rubber & Plastics is a distribution and development company with a strong focus on rubber, plastics and special polymeric alloys.

Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Additives Division, has appointed M.F. Cachat, Cleveland, OH, as sales agent for its Polymer Specialties line of additives for water-based coatings and building products. Under the agency agreement, M.F. Cachat will represent Ciba's Polymer Specialties line in Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

Genca, Clearwater, FL, has appointed MPM Marketing to represent Genca throughout the New England area.

Taiwan Polypropylene Ltd. (TPP), the Taiwanese affiliated company of Montell Polyolefins, and Qingdao Kailian Group of the People's Republic of China have signed a memorandum of understanding to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a Sino-foreign joint venture enterprise in Qingdao, ShanDong Province to produce polypropylene for the PRC market. TPP, Montell and Kailian will jointly study the project to construct a new, world scale Spheripol process polypropylene facility. TPP and Montell will share 90% of the equity in the joint venture, with the balance controlled by Kailian who also will provide propylene and ethylene feedstocks from their Qingdao refinery. Montell will supply its advanced process technologies and catalysts. Product sales will be fully integrated with Montell and TPP's regional sales and marketing networks.

Louis P. Batson, Inc., Greenville, SC, the plastics division of Louis P. Batson Co., announced a sales agreement with Lamco Machine and Tool. Lamco manufactures a full line of thermoforming equipment, including single station and double-end shuttles and three-station rotary thermoformers.

Advanced Polymer Alloys, Wilmington, DE, a division of Ferro and the manufacturer of Alcryn melt-processibe rubber (MPR), announced that Solim Ltd. of Korea will use Alcryn MPR for its cellular telephone key pads. Solim manufactures keypads for all major telephone providers such as Nokia and Sony.

Cooper Tire & Rubber, Findlay, OH, announced it will explore strategic options for its plastics division. Cooper has retained the investment banking firm of W.Y. Campbell & Co., Detroit, MI, to assist in assessing these units and developing options for further consideration.

TSI, St. Paul, MN, announced the addition of Scantron of Germany to its worldwide distribution network. Scantron, a sales company distributing noncontact dimensional measurement equipment, will be TSI's representative in the U.K.

Barnant, Barrington, IL, announced its agreement with Ponndorf Geratetechnik GmbH of Germany to assemble and market the firm's high-capacity, high-performance hose pumps to the U.S. market. Ponndorf is an established supplier of hose pumps to the European market and seeks to expand its world sales through this agreement. Simultaneously, Barnant benefits from the higher capacity pumps (up to 176 gpm at 220 psi) it can now offer its existing and new markets.