Bayer MaterialScience L.L.C. will close its Desmodur CB aromatic polyisocyanate production plant in New Martinsville, W.Va., by the end of the first quarter of 2005.
The company said the facility has been underutilized for some time. Workers affected by the closing will assume other responsibilities at the New Martinsville site, where the firm makes thermoplastic urethanes, polyurethane dispersions and polyurethane raw materials.
Demand for Desmodur CB, used as a raw material for general industrial, wood and magnetic tape coatings, has decreased significantly over the last several years, Bayer said. The company will supply equivalent products to North American customers from a plant in Germany after the U.S. facility closes.
IISRP publishes statistics book
The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers has published its 2004 edition of ``Worldwide Rubber Statistics,'' the annual source of data about the synthetic and natural rubber business.
The publication, running more than 100 pages, includes revised plant capacity figures for Russian and Chinese SR producers, demand forecasts and new information on various elastomer types. The IISRP has published the book annually for 24 years.
Information on how to purchase the book is available at the institute's Web site, www.iisrp.com.
EPA seeks nominees for award
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking nominations for the 10th annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards.
The program recognizes chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into chemical design, production and use, and have broad industry application. Nominations can come from individuals, companies or organizations and must be postmarked by Dec. 31.
For more information, go to www.epa.gov/greenchemistry.
Dow Reichhold boosts prices
Dow Reichhold Specialty Latex L.L.C. has boosted prices for specialty latex products sold in North America and all nitrile latex used worldwide to make gloves.
The specialty latex increases are 3 to 6 cents per pound, depending on latex chemistry, the company said. The price of nitrile butadiene latex for gloves rose 5 cents per dry pound worldwide. Both increases went into effect in early November, and the company blamed continuing increases in raw materials and energy costs as the prime reason for the hikes.
Firm buys fuel tank maker's parent
K&F Industries Inc., a maker of aircraft wheels, brakes and anti-skid systems and parent of fuel tank producer Engineered Fabrics Corp., is being acquired by an affiliate of Aurora Capital Group for $1.06 billion in cash.
K&F said its Engineered Fabrics unit is the world's largest manufacturer of aircraft fuel tanks and also makes aircraft iceguards, inflatable oil booms and other goods produced from coated fabrics for commercial and military applications.
Engineered Fabrics, based in Rockmart, Ga., is the former Goodyear coated fabrics subsidiary.
In brief
National Tire Safety Week will be April 24-30, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association.... Cri-Sil L.L.C. has launched a new Web site at www.crisil-silicones.com.... Freudenberg-NOK G.P. has been recognized by the Michigan Business and Professional Association as one of the Detroit area's ``101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For'' for the third consecutive year.... Simtech Inc. Technical Services' John Simpkins has been named to represent Precision Roll Grinders Inc. in the Western U.S. and Canada.... Dyneon L.L.C. has entered into an e-marketing agreement with SpecialChem S.A. that will focus on promoting the use of Dynamar polymer processing additives.