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Maker of EcoHangers raises $10 million
NEW YORK (July 2, 2:45 p.m. EDT) -- Hanger Network Inc. has raised $10 million in a second fund-raising round to expand distribution of its EcoHangers made of plastic and paper. The 5-year-old firm claims to have grown 500 percent since 2005.

Norandex buy boosts position in South
MACEDONIA,OHIO (June 25, 7 p.m. EDT) -- Norandex Building Materials Distribution of Macedonia, Ohio, said it has acquired Area Vinyl Siding Distributors LLC, which serves the Baton Rouge, La., area.

Russian PVC-products complex considered
DZERZHINSK, RUSSIA (June 24, 5:55 p.m. EDT) -- RusVinyl Ltd. said it is in talks with regional authorities about the creation of a major industrial park for processing PVC into products such as pipe and window profiles in Dzerzhinsk.

CCL investing $25 million in Asian expansions
TORONTO (June 23, 12:45 p.m. EDT) -- Canadian packaging supplier CCL Industries Inc. plans to build four new plants, in China, India, Thailand and Vietnam, and will expand facilities in China and Japan.

European plastics turning to timber
VENICE, ITALY (June 23, 10:45 a.m. EDT) -- For pontoon operators and Venetian homeowners, marine borers cause a yearly problem in the canal-filled streets of Venice. To remedy this, two companies have introduced wood-plastic products to replace the age-old timber-made poles that make up many of the boats and homes. These innovative replacements are just one example of the growing European wood composites market.

ADS launching corrugated PP sewer pipe
HILLIARD, OHIO (June 23, 10:35 a.m. EDT) -- With a track record of success as piping material in Europe, polypropylene is expected to be a winner in the North American sanitary sewer and drainage markets as the continent’s largest corrugated pipe maker launches a new PP product. Hilliard-based Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. announce that it will launch a triple-wall corrugated PP pipe in spring 2009.

Program to monitor nation’s pipe system
BLACKSBURG, VA. (June 23, 10:05 a.m. EDT) -- Virginia Tech University researchers are working to create an Internet-based geospatial database of the United States’ pipes that would help utilities and municipalities better monitor and maintain underground infrastructure. The cities of Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Seattle are acting as pilot cities for the project.

New methods shore up window profiles
PARIS (June 23, 10 a.m. EDT) -- PVC window frames exceed user demands in many respects, especially in cost and durability, but the relatively low stiffness and rigidity has proved to be a drawback. However, window makers continue to explore alternatives, with the goals of reducing cost and opening the way to more demanding commercial applications.

Canada wood composite use low
TORONTO (June 23, 9:35 a.m. EDT) -- With nearly every economic indicator stacked against it, wood-plastic composite decking continues to gain traction in North America, but with Canada lagging behind the U.S. Resin prices have shot up nearly 50 percent and, combined with comparatively low pressure-treated lumber prices, have continued to strain the Canadian market.

Royal Group founder denies fraud charges

De Zen

TORONTO (June 19, 4:40 p.m. EDT) — Royal Group Technologies Ltd. founder Vic De Zen is rebutting charges brought against him by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Police allege that De Zen and three other former executives committed fraud against Royal Group in a C$27.4 million (US$26.9 million) land transfer deal north of Toronto. The police agency also said De Zen and four others defrauded Royal Group of C$2 million (US$1.96 million) in the sale of a door subsidiary.

Finland firm boosts its WPC production
HELSINKI, FINLAND (June 18, 4:20 p.m. EDT) -- Global forest products group UPM-Kymmene Oyj is stepping up its production of wood-plastic composite products to meet growing demand, particularly from central Europe.

Brite Manufacturing shuts down, seeks buyer
BOLTON, ONTARIO (June 10, 7:05 p.m. EDT) -- Facing mounting cost pressures and dwindling demand, Canada’s largest wood-plastic composite deck maker has closed its doors and is soliciting potential buyers.

Deere buys Israel´s Plastro Irrigation
MOLINE, ILL. (June 16, 6:15 p.m. EDT) -- Deere & Co. said June 5 it has acquired the remainder of Israel-based Plastro Irrigation Systems Ltd., a maker of mostly plastic irrigation equipment and supplies. Deere said the purchase makes it the world´s third-largest agricultural irrigation company.

Suncast Corp. snags Hydro’s hose reel line
BATAVIA, ILL. (June 6, 2:25 p.m EDT) -- Plastics processor Suncast Corp. has added water-powered retractable garden hose reels to its line of outdoor products. Batavia, Ill.-based Suncast recently purchased select assets and product lines of Israeli manufacturer Hydro Industries Ltd., giving Suncast full rights to produce Hydro’s No-Crank line of reels.

Plastic pipes may indirectly pose lead problem
BLACKSBURG, VA. (June 3, 6:10 p.m. EDT) -- Plastic plumbing systems, such as those made from PVC and cross-linked polyethylene, are more likely to deliver lead-laden drinking water than their copper counterparts, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed Environmental Science & Technology.

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