The Lubrizol Corp. recently made several executive changes, driven in part by of Berkshire Hathaway’s mid-September acquisition of the firm.
James L. Hambrick remains Lubrizol's chairman, president and CEO. The executive leadership team also includes Suzanne Day, corporate vice president, general counsel and chief ethics officer; Bob Graf, corporate vice president, research and development. Graf also assumes product safety and compliance responsibilities; and Brian Valentine, corporate vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Valentine assumes global risk management responsibilities.
Meanwhile, in early December, Lubrizol announced that four chemists from its Noveon Consumer Specialties division have received the Des Goddard Award. The annual award, which is presented by The Board of Directors of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists, recognizes the most innovative paper on the topic of polymer science related to cosmetics or personal care. Carole Lepilleur, Wing Li, Duane Krzysik and the recently retired John Mullay are getting the award for their paper titled, “Cationic Cassia Polymers as Efficient Naturally Derived Polymers for Providing Enhanced Deposition from Shampoo Systems.”
The paper, which was presented at the Society’s 2011 Annual Scientific Seminar, examines the use of cationic cassia polymers as new and efficient aids to increase the amount of silicone deposited on hair via the formation of coacervates during the shampoo cycle. When formed during shampoo dilution, coacervates can effectively deposit silicone and other ingredients onto hair fibers. Cassia gum is a natural, vegetable-based carbohydrate extracted from the endosperm of the seed of cassia plants, which grow wild in tropical zones around the world.
To view the entire scientific paper, visit www.lubrizol.com/personalcare.
In other news, The Lubrizol Corp. is purchasing Chemtool Inc., a global manufacturer and supplier of custom formulated greases to the lubricant industry. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2011, following the completion of regulatory approvals. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Chemtool, based in Rockton, Ill., will continue to operate independently and will retain the Chemtool name.
Lubrizol also is acquiring Merquinsa, a Barcelona, Spain-based provider of specialty thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPUs) with about 100 employees. This acquisition will expand Lubrizol's Engineered Polymers business.
Once the transaction closes, likely by the end of 2011, all Merquinsa products will be integrated with Lubrizol, combining the product offerings under the Lubrizol Engineered Polymers business.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
