NEWS BRIEFS (September 01, 2008)

Chemical, rubber and plastics products manufacturer Channel Prime Alliance –Canada is changing its name to Ravago Canada Co., as the result of a consolidation of parent company The Ravago Group’s Canadian entities. The new companies will have two commercial businesses: distribution (formerly Channel Prime Alliance and Entec Polymers) and resale (formerly Muehlstein Canada, Pyramid/Entec and Novell).

Aurora, Ont.-based parts supplier Magna International Inc. has acquired Technoplast, a manufacturer of plastics exterior and interior components located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Technoplast currently supplies components for several programs for GAZ Group, Russia’s largest producer of commercial vehicles.

In a bid to strengthen its position as a construction materials manufacturer, Surrey, B. C.-based Vanguard Plastics Ltd. has acquired injection molder Primex Manufacturing, of nearby Langley, B. C. Terms of the purchase have not been disclosed. Injection molder Vanguard Plastics Ltd. manufactures fenestration, shelf supports and plastic handled shopping baskets. St. Louis, Mo.-based TricorBraun has acquired Vancouver, B. C.-based rigid packaging distributor Columbia Packaging. Founded in 1995 by Larry West, Columbia services various beverage industries and specializes in packaging for other markets, such as healthcare and sports nutrition.

The Eastman Chemical Company has said its copolyester, Eastman Tritan, has been approved for use in food contact applications by the Canadian government, receiving a “favourable opinion” for use in specified food contact applications from the Canadian Food Directorate. According to Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical, the material can be used in a broad range of applications including housewares and appliances, and offers clarity and toughness with high heat and chemical resistance.

Mold base and hot runner supplier Hasco America, Inc. will phase out its U. S. manufacturing operations. As a result, Hasco America will eliminate approximately 40 of its 50 positions at its Arden, N. C. manufacturing plant. The company will also close a small facility in Valencia, Calif.

Avon Lake-based PolyOne Corporation is closing eight production plants, including an engineered materials facility in Valleyfield, Que. The closures will take place over the next nine months due to downturns in compounding end markets. The company will shed nearly 150 jobs.

Resin supplier Basell Canada Inc. has sold the assets and land located at its Sarnia, Ont. site to Shell’s Canadian affiliates. According to the parent company, the sales included the feed preparation unit, pipelines, polypropylene storage, and all of the land.