Xiom Corporation has brought to market four novel coatings for use with its polymer powder coating spray system. The coatings are designed to protect structures against the elements. The Xiom coatings are proprietary, meaning they are specially formulated to work with the Xiom's coatings equipment. Xiom Corp. was founded in 2003 as an R & D company. Since then, Xiom has developed a wide variety of functional and architectural coatings for use with its own polymer powder coatings spray system. Currently, the company offers more than 25 types of coatings, including traction and wear, glow in the dark, marine vessel protection, antigraffiti, chemical protection, non-slip, non-stick, and autobody filler.

Huntsman Corporation has announced that it filed suit against Apollo and partners Leon Black and Joshua Harris in Conroe, Texas, for fraud and tortious interference in connection with inducing Huntsman to terminate its merger agreement with Basell to enter into a merger agreement with Apollo affiliate Hexion Specialty Chemicals instead. In the filed petition, Huntsman seeks a jury trial to determine the defendants' liability to Huntsman for actual damages exceeding USD 3 billion, plus exemplary damages.

ShawCor Ltd. has announced its subsidiary, Bredero Shaw, has received a contract with a value in excess of USD 30 million from Subsea 7 to provide coatings for StatoilHydro's Vega offshore project in the North Sea. The contract has been awarded to Bredero Shaw Norway AS and the project will be executed at its coating facility in Orkanger, where the polypropylene insulation coating system for offshore flow assurance was developed. Bredero Shaw, ShawCor's largest division, provides specialized coating systems and related services for corrosion protection, insulation and weight coating applications on land and marine pipelines including highly engineered corrosion and insulation systems for deepwater applications.

Rohm and Haas Company has started up a new high technology plant in Querétaro, Mexico. With a USD 20 million investment, this new service and technology centre will produce emulsion polymers and polyacrylates. This investment will promote 100 direct jobs and its production will satisfy the needs of different industries like building and construction, industrial, adhesives and household goods and personal care. "With this action in Querétaro, we welcome this new production and distribution platform for our products. This gives the best attention to our customers in Mexico and Latin America. At the same time we will satisfy customer needs more efficiently by transferring the production we had in Apizaco plant to Querétaro," said Mauro Trevisani, Rohm and Haas Mexico Country Manager.

Diversified Coatings, Inc., manufacturer of "Morwear" Paint, is expanding its presence in Asia with the addition of new distributors in Singapore and Saipan. Established in 1912, the architectural paint of this USA-based paints producer is sold throughout the United States and China. The portfolio of Diversified Coatings, Inc. comprises specialty products, such as Mold Control Paints, and near 0 VOC. The paint manufacturer has been in business for 15 years. It provides industrial and military coating as well as painting and finishing services. Apart from shielding, Diversified Coatings also produces cosmetic finishes, conformal coatings, flexible and hi-temp coatings as well as powder coating services.