http://Chemical.industrysearch.com chemicals, specialty chemicals, chemical resins, chemical pigments, maintenance chemicals, chemical analysis, cleaning chemicals, electronic chemicals, electroplating chemicals LYNDHURST, N.J., /PRNewswire/ -- With its second acquisition in North America this year, Sika has added another long-respected player into its Industrial Flooring business in this region. The ICS Garland polymer flooring business, with its strong portfolio of epoxy, polyurethane, and ESD technology products, is an excellent fit for Sika's focused growth strategy for North America. With an established, well-respected range of products, people, and quality applicators, the ICS Garland polymer flooring business greatly enhances and complements Sika's fast-growing position in this key market. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14406%2etxt SHANGHAI, China – Ashland Distribution, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has announced an agreement with Teknor Apex to distribute their PVC compounds in China, with an emphasis on the medical market. Ashland Distribution operates warehouses in key manufacturing areas throughout China and provides customers with a trusted source for branded thermoplastic resins and other products and services. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14347%2etxt SHANGHAI, China – Ashland Distribution, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has announced an agreement with Teknor Apex to distribute their PVC compounds in China, with an emphasis on the medical market. Ashland Distribution operates warehouses in key manufacturing areas throughout China and provides customers with a trusted source for branded thermoplastic resins and other products and services. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14341%2etxt RICHMOND, Va. and TWINSBURG, Ohio, -- Albemarle Corporation (NYSE:ALB) and Sorbent Technologies Corporation (Pink Sheets: SORB) have signed a letter of intent for Albemarle, a global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals, to acquire Sorbent Technologies, a full-service power plant mercury control provider. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14290%2etxt MEDINA, Ohio, -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) announced the acquisition of Flowcrete Group ("Flowcrete"), a manufacturer and marketer of resin flooring systems for industrial and commercial applications. Flowcrete, established in 1982 and headquartered near Manchester, England, has sales of approximately $85 million. Terms were not disclosed. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14255%2etxt CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio -- Emerald Hilton Davis, LLC, a subsidiary of Emerald Performance Materials, LLC (“Emerald”), has acquired the carbon black dispersions business and assets of Wolstenholme International Ltd. (“Wolstenholme”). Emerald is an affiliated portfolio company of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm specializing in leveraged buyouts and investments in market-leading companies. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14244%2etxt COLUMBUS, Ohio, -- The state of Ohio has appointed thirteen members, representing a wide range of expertise in the fields of chemicals, polymers and advanced materials, to serve on the Ohio Agriculture to Chemicals, Polymers, and Advanced Materials Task Force. The creation of the task force is aimed at accelerating the state business climate by maximizing ties between its No. 1 industry, agriculture, and its role as the nation's No. 1 polymer industry. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14211%2etxt NEW BRITAIN, CT, Parker Fluid Control Division, manufacturers of the Skinner and Gold Ring lines of solenoid valves and the Sinclair Collins line of process control valves, now offers a new line of solenoid valves designed exclusively for the car wash industry. The Car Care Solenoid Valve line reliably meets the most demanding applications including presoak, soap dispensing, water purification, water softening, hot waxes, spot-free rinsing, blowers and driers, and high-pressure washes. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14172%2etxt MEDINA, Ohio, -- RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, The Euclid Chemical Company of Cleveland, Ohio, has acquired Increte Systems of Odessa, Florida. With sales of approximately $15 million, Increte is the nation's leading manufacturer of decorative concrete systems that economically recreate the look of natural stone, wood, tile, brick and pavers using concrete. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14126%2etxt MEDINA, Ohio, RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) announces that one of its wholly owned subsidiaries in Europe, Tremco illbruck International, has purchased Prosytec SAS from a subsidiary of Goodrich Corporation (NYSE:GR). http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14111%2etxt $44 million expansion project is back on track and expected to start in the 2nd qtr. 2008. Plans are to lease a 100,000 sq. ft. facility in Middletown, Ohio for a fluids production operation. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14073%2etxt Linesville, PA —Molded Fiber Glass Tray Company (MFG Tray) has introduced a new line of versatile utility, high-strength fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite metal parts wash-boxes whose composite material construction costs approximately one-third the cost of traditional stainless steel counterparts. Designed to handle heavy payloads (150 lb. capacity), the stackable design wash-box’s FRP composition is also engineered to withstand small-part washing system chemicals and provide continuous operation at temperatures to 350°F. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=14042%2etxt Columbus, OH—Total funding for research and development (R&D) is expected to increase just 3.3 percent in 2008 from the $355 billion funded in 2007 to the $367 billion expected to be funded in 2008, according to the annual Battelle R&D Magazine forecast. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=13967%2etxt COLUMBUS, Ohio, - The Ohio legislature has approved the creation of a task force aimed at accelerating the state business climate by maximizing ties between its No. 1 industry, agriculture, and its role as the nation's No. 1 polymer industry. http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=13951%2etxt OMNOVA Solutions acquires full ownership of its Decorative Products Joint Ventures in Asia from CP Group. OMNOVA Solutions was the majority owner of the joint ventures, at approximately 50.1%, since establishing the joint ventures in Thailand in 1999 and in China in 2000 http://Chemical.industrysearch.com/cgi-bin/portal2/main.plx?file=13939%2etxt