Albemarle Corporation, Baton Rouge, LA, USA, has completed definitive agreements with its Chinese partner to increase Albemarle’s ownership from 25 % to 75 % in two joint ventures:

Lati S.p.A., Vedana Olona, Italy, is concluding a business reorganisation and will focus on the production and marketing of thermoplastic compounds for engineering purposes.

Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd. has signed an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Moldflow Corporation’s Manufacturing Solutions Division for USD 7 million.

Flotation Technologies Inc., a deepwater buoyancy and polyurethane elastomer systems manufacturer, has moved to a 45,000 sq. ft. (4180 sq. meter) facility, increasing its staff and tripling manufacturing capacity.

After the management change German blow moulding machine specialist Hesta Blasformtechnik GmbH & Co KG has shown a successful start.

Cancarb Ltd., the Canadian producer of thermal carbon blacks, has signed two new distribution agreements in Europe.

Cancarb Ltd., the Canadian producer of thermal black, Thermax, is adding two distributors for its products in Europe effective September 1: Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH in Germany and IMCD in the Czech Republic.

Midland, Michigan: The Dow Chemical Company announced today that Dennis H. Reilley, retired chairman and CEO of Praxair, Inc., and chairman of Covidien Ltd., has been elected to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Trelleborg Automotive has inaugurated a newly constructed manufacturing facility in Dej, Romania.

On 16 - 18 May the International Rubber Study Group convened for the 43rd Assembly of Nations in Bangkok. Prior to the Assembly, the World Rubber Summit was held on 14-15 May 2007, under the theme ”Global Supply and Demand Challenges: What to Aim For and How to Meet Them“.