USA: Buckeye Sells Merfin Business
Buckeye Technologies announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell the assets and ongoing operations of its Merfin Systems converting business to National Tissue Company, LLC. Merfin Systems, located in King, North Carolina, is a converter of towels, tissue and napkins which it sells along with proprietary paper product dispensers into the away from home market.

Japan: Teijin Introduces New Octa Multi Functional Fibre
Polyester fibres producer Teijin Fibers has developed a unique polyester fibre with a distinctive, highly modified cross-section with eight projections aligned in a radial pattern around a hollow fibre. The new fibre, named Octa after its octopus-like appearance, is said to offer rapid sweat absorption and drying, low weight, heat shielding/insulation and useful bulkiness.

Netherlands: TenCate Enters Market for Protection Against Road Side Bombs
TenCate has announced its cooperation with the Danish company ABDS ApS for the development and market preparation of the TenCate ABDS™ active blast countermeasure system, a system for the protection of army vehicles against improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs.

Germany: Lenzing AG and Smartfiber Intensify Cooperation
Lenzing AG, world market leader for man-made cellulose fibers and the German company smartfiber AG/Rudolstadt are expanding their cooperation. In the future Lenzing will exclusively produce the lyocell specialty fibers smartcel™ and SeaCell® developed by smartfiber at the Lenzing site in Upper Austria.

Sweden: Trelleborg Signs Agreement with Freudenberg to Form a Global Company in Antivibration Solutions
Trelleborg and Freudenberg have signed an agreement to form a 50/50 joint venture to produce antivibration solutions for light and heavy vehicles. Completion of the transaction is subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.

USA: Conwed's Ecocycle Technology Exceeds ASTM Oxo-Biodegradable Standards
Ecocycle Technology Exceeds ASTM International D6954 testing standard,"Exposing and Testing Plastics that Degrade in the Environment by a combination of Oxidation and Biodegradation."

Germany: Fieldturf and Morton Extrusionstechnik GmbH form Joint Venture
Fieldturf and Morton Extrusionstechnik GnbH(Morton) have formed a joint venture to develop and produce the most innovative artificial turf fiber technology in the world today. Together, FieldTurf and Morton have combined the very best in polymer technology with the strongest UV inhibitors and a state-of-the-art extrusion process.

Germany: RKW Acquires U.S Film Producer Danafilms, Expands North American Presence
RKW SE announced its acquisition of Danafilms, Inc., a Westborough, Massachusetts, USA, based film producer. This expansion provides RKW and Danafilms the ability to better serve the North American market for plastics.

USA: AATCC Proficiency Program for Antibacterial Assessment
For manufacturers or purchasers of fabrics or nonwoven materials that claim to be ANTIBACTERIAL, AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) is offering a brand new program that covers basic ANTIBACTERIAL ASSESSMENT.

China: Purcotton Business Is Performing Well At Winner Medical
Winner Medical Group Inc., a leading manufacturer of medical dressings, medical disposables and non-woven PurCotton materials for the medical and consumer products industries in China, reported that third quarter fiscal year 2010 revenue year-on-year increased 27.0%, to $30.9 million, net income increased 10.1% to $3.4 million and a sales of PurCotton products year-on-year increased 114.0%, to $2.6 million.

USA: MFRI to Shut South African Filtration Unit
MFRI, Inc. announced today its intention to close its South Africa Filtration Products unit, Midwesco Filter South Africa Pty Ltd.

USA: Johnson Screens Acquires Italian Separation Company MA Ind Srl
Johnson Screens Inc has acquired MA Ind Srl (MAIND), a Cesena, Italy-based manufacturer of separation, removal and processing systems for liquid/solid separation.

USA: DuPont Invests in Battery Separators
DuPont has unveiled plan to build a new facility in Chesterfield County, VA to make Energain battery separators.

China: Ahlstrom Acquires Shandong Puri
Ahlstrom has taken further steps in implementing its growth strategy in Asia through the acquisition of Shandong Puri Filter & Paper Products Limited in China from Purico Group.

USA: GMA Pushes on for Coal Ash Containment Liners
Geosynthetic Materials Association last year continues to advance the cause of the first-ever national rules to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash under the nation's primary law for regulating solid waste, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

UK: Carbon Footprinting for Coat Hangers
A UK-based firm has come up with a recycled plastic product that has been labelled to show its carbon footprint and can be used to make eco-friendly coat hangers.