demonstrated by its readyadaptation to powder coatings.This technology has effectedsignificant reductions in bothmelting and curing temperatures.It is believed that much lowertemperatures can be achievedand that supplementation withcrosslinking agents will alloweven more dramatic temperaturereductions. Stability studiesindicate that the particles possessa lengthy shelf life.

The experience gained throughthe design of core-shell polymerparticles for coatings, and thepliable nature of the particle, hasmotivated the team to examineother potential end useapplications. They havesuccessfully constructed adeveloping array of water-solublecore-shell polymer particles madeof biodegradable molecules, andwill pursue the targeting of cancercells with tumour inhibitingcompounds loaded into theseparticles.

Article entitled “A Versatile Core-ShellNanoparticle – A Solution to CoatingsChallenges” by John Hartmann of ElizaNorPolymer LLC published in Paint & CoatingsIndustry, Oct 2003, 106-108

INDUSTRYNEWS

Coating raw material suppliersstruggle with costs

Problems faced by the paints andcoatings market during 2003 arediscussed and include the risingcost of energy and raw materialscombined with competition fromAsia. BASF is retrofitting anexisting manufacturing plant atWyandotte, MI, US to producehigh-quality, low-formaldehydeamino resins to sell under itsLuwipal trade-name. Production isdue to begin during 2Q 2004.During 2003 Dow Chemicalmerged its surfactants andpolyglycols businesses. It will beknown as Functional Solutionsand Surfactants. New productsintroduced by the business

include Tergitol L-Series ionicsurfactants. During 2002 Ferrosold its European powdercoatings operation to Rohm &Haas and its American powdercoatings business to Akzo Nobelfor a combined total of $160 M.North America has around 35producers of powder coatings.Powder coatings are now beingseen as commodity chemicals.Nubiola Pigments and HuberEngineered Materials are toprovide sales, marketing andcustomer support for several non-toxic, anticorrosive, inhibitiveproducts for coatings producersfrom 1 Jan 2004.

Chemical Week, 19 Nov 2003, 165 (42)

Switzerland. Monopol acquires facadecoatings activities from Vernicolor

Swiss Monopol AG in Filisbachacquired the Swiss facadecoatings activities (powdercoatings, polyurethane andfluoropolymer coatings) fromValspar (Vernicolor) Corp AG. Theproduct ranges of the companiescomplement each other. MonopolColors is an establishedinternationally-active familybusiness and manufacturesindustrial coatings andanticorrosive paints.

Farbe und Lack, Nov 2003, 109 (11), 16 (inGerman)

Effect pigments. Eckart establishespigment bonding centre

German special effect pigmentsmanufacturer Eckart will expandits range of aluminium, goldbronze and pearl lustre pigmentswith the construction of a BondingCentre at the site in Velden. Theadvanced centre will ensureEckart will be able to meet risingdemand for bonded special effectpigments for powder coatings.

Farbe und Lack, Nov 2003, 109 (11), 71 (inGerman)

Reichhold completes powder coatingresins plant

Reichhold says it has completed

a new production line for glycidylmethacrylate acrylic (GMA)powder coating resins plant atVienna, Austria.

The line can produce about 4M lbs/year, and can be expandedas demand warrants. Reichholdpreviously only supplied GMAresins through its parent companyDainippon Ink and Chemicals(DIC).

“Reichhold is now the largestproducer of GMA in Europe andReichhold/DIC is the onlymanufacturer with two plants inthe world, allowing us to offersupply security to the automotivecoatings market,” says Gary Krall,chairman and CEO of Reichhold.

Demand for GMA resins isexpected to grow “significantly”over the next decade, Krall says.GMA acrylic resins are used toproduce high-durability powdercoatings primarily for theautomotive industry.

Reichhold, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.Tel: +1 919 990 7500. Website:http://www.reichhold.com

Eastman opened regionalheadquarters

Eastman Chemical Company’srecently opened its newlyconstructed regional headquartersin Capelle aan den Ijssel, theNetherlands. The new facility nearRotterdam consolidates threeEastman offices, which wereformerly located in The Hagueand Rotterdam. Organizationsoccupying the new site includethe company’s Europe, MiddleEast and Africa Customer ServiceCentre, shared Financial ServiceCentre as well as regionalfunctions for human resources,information technology, sales andmarketing. In total, about 170Eastman employees representingsome 18 different nationalities areworking in the complex.

Coatings Flash, 1 Dec 2003. Website:http://www.coatings.de

Rohm & Haas powder coatings

Following the successfulintegration of Morton Powder

4 DECEMBER 2003

F O C U S O N P O W D E R C O A T I N G S