Sika AG has acquired Technokolla, a producer of tile adhesive systems. The Northern Italy-based company generated sales of around CHF 37 million (CHF 1 = EUR 0.87) in 2010. With acquired company’s products on board, Sika will have even greater access to Technokolla’s highly developed sales and distribution network. The Italian company also owns a production site in Sassuolo. The new partnership will enable Sika to expand its market position by adding a new distribution channel and supply the construction industry in the region with an even wider range of products and technologies.

Ashland to build plant in France

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., has recently begun construction on a new nonionic synthetic thickener manufacturing facility in Alizay, France. The new manufacturing facility is scheduled for completion and start-up in late spring of 2012 and will significantly increase global capacity of the company’s nonionic synthetic associative thickeners (NSATs), which are used in waterborne architectural coatings. “The new facility is strategically positioned in Western Europe to shorten lead times and improve service for our customers,” said Jason Homer, global business manager, Coatings Additives, Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients. “Europe in particular, has recently seen a dramatic increase in demand for ‘Aquaflow’ NSATs. This new facility complements our existing manufacturing capacity and gives us flexibility to improve continuity of supply for all customers worldwide.” The new facility will have capability to produce the full line of low-, mid- and high-shear effective thickeners.

Ashland Inc. and International Specialty Products Inc. (ISP) announced that Ashland has agreed to acquire privately owned ISP, a global specialty chemical manufacturer of functional ingredients and technologies. Under the terms of the stock purchase agreement, Ashland will pay approximately USD 3.2 billion for the business in an all-cash transaction. At closing, ISP’s advanced product portfolio will expand Ashland’s position in high-growth markets such as personal care, pharmaceutical and energy. For the 12 months ended 31 March 2011, ISP generated sales of approximately USD 1.6 billion and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of approximately USD 360 million. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to Ashland’s earnings per share. On a pro forma basis giving effect to the transaction, Ashland would have had combined revenue for the 12 months ended 31 March 2011, of approximately USD 7.6 billion, with nearly half of revenues generated outside North America. The newly combined functional ingredients business is expected to contribute roughly half of Ashland’s USD 1.1-billion pro forma EBITDA. Ashland expects to realize annualized run-rate cost savings of approximately USD 50 million by the second year following the transaction’s close through eliminating redundancies and capturing operational efficiencies. The transaction, which is expected to close prior to the end of the September quarter, is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of U.S. and European Union regulatory approvals.

Jotun Saudia has recently opened the company’s new offices in Bilda Mall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The new office will act as the company’s sales, marketing and administrative office and also house the protective marine and powder functions. The opening reflects the company’s continuing business growth in the Kingdom. The coatings producer’s warehousing and customer service department (CSD) facilities will still be based in its old facility in Solay, Riyadh. Jotun Saudia (Paints) maintains a strong presence in KSA with more than two environmentally friendly factories in key locations such as Yanbu and Jeddah. The company’s new offices are located within accessible distance to the warehouse and CSD, and maintains a fully computerized set-up, which is equipped with the latest communication software that allows them 24/7 seamless connection to the Jotun global network.

KINGSPORT, TENN., — Eastman Chemical Company announces it is planning a significant debottlenecking in manufacture of its isobutyric acid at its Longview, Texas, facility. The production debottleneck, scheduled for a December 2011 completion, will add an additional 20 million pounds of capacity to help support growing internal and external needs for the acid.