The story of the Solvay group began on 15 April 1861, when Ernest Solvay patented a revolutionary ammonia-soda process for producing sodium carbonate. - also known as soda ash - using common salt, ammonia, carbon dioxide (CO2) and lime. Ernest Solvay, born in 1838, was a man with a passionate interest in science, research and innovation and a defender of progressive social ideals.Together with his brother Alfred, he founded the company Solvay & Cie on December 24, 1863 to implement the new process for the industrial production of sodium carbonate. The first Solvay soda factory started operating in Couillet, Belgium in 1865. It used salt from rock salt mines; the lime and CO2 were produced by the calcination of limestone in limekilns. The ammonia was recovered from the production process for re-use. The chemicals sector makes hydrogen peroxide and soda ash (used to make glass). And Solvay's pharmaceuticals include cardiological drugs, gastrointestinal enzymes, and antidepressants. However, it agreed to sell that last unit to Abbott Labs in 2009 for about E5.2 billion ($7.6 billion US). Belgian holding company Solvac owns more than 30% of Solvay.

NOVA Chemicals Corporation muscles into a long line of plastic products. The company makes ethylene, polyethylene, and performance styrenics used in the manufacture of plastic and foam products. Applications include packaging, plastic bags, appliances, electronics, housewares, and plastic pipe. Through its INEOS NOVA joint venture (with INEOS), the company was one of the world's largest producers of styrene monomer and styrenic polymers. However, in 2010 INEOS announced it was buying out NOVA's 50% share of INEOS NOVA in favor of a new venture with BASF SE. The US and Canada account for 80% of NOVA's sales. It's owned by Abu Dhabi's International Petroleum Investment Co., or IPIC.

Raymor Industries didn't get a charge out of the battery business and has moved on to the powders and coatings market. In 2004 the company acquired the advanced materials division of PyroGenesis and dumped its mining exploration business. Through subsidiary Advanced Powders and Coatings (AP&C), Raymor partners with PyroGenesis to produce specialized metallic powders and ceramic and metallic coatings. The products are used primarily in the biomedical, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries. Raymor also operates a nanotechnology division to develop products on a nanometric scale. In 2009 the company filed for bankruptcy protection and was taken private by a small group of investors early the next year.

H. Heller & Co.'s loading dock is where the rubber meets the road. The company manufactures plastic and rubber raw materials through affiliated companies American Thermoplastics, Heller Performance Polymers, and Gulf Performance Polymers. Heller manufactures thermoplastic resins, recycled plastics, and rubber compounds and additives; it also provides custom blending and compounding. The company serves customers in the packaging, film, wire and cable, and sheet and molding industries throughout Canada, Mexico, and the US.

Axion International Holdings, Inc. develops structural building products from recycled consumer and industrial plastics in the United States. Its structural building products include railroad crossties, bridge infrastructure, marine pilings, and bulk heading. The company also offers fire retardants used for wood, metal, and plastic surfaces. In addition, Axion International Holdings develops structural composite I-beams, and tongue and groove planking products. It markets its products to railroad industry and military, as well as industrial engineering and contracting firms. The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.

Talk about a sticky situation! Bostik, a part of the chemicals operations of French oil giant TOTAL S.A., makes adhesives for a variety of industrial markets. The company produces adhesives used by OEMs, including makers of windows and doors, textiles, and packaging. The company's Nonwovens division makes adhesives for disposable products like diapers, feminine hygiene products, and medical supplies as well as for tapes and labels. The Construction and Distribution division sells adhesives for applications such as installing flooring and insulating glass. Bostik serves the automotive and transportation industry by making adhesives for cars and trucks, RVs, mobile homes, and buses.

Spectra is all about the colors. Spectra Colors Corporation manufactures colorants and dyes for everything from Polaroid's imaging products to Samsung ink jets to Kiwi shoe polishes. The company, which was founded in 1987, maintains a laboratory, production area, and warehouse at its New Jersey headquarters and also has a distribution network that spans the globe.

WD-40 Company produces and sells lubricants, hand cleaners, and household cleaners worldwide. It primarily offers WD-40, a multi-purpose product, which acts as a lubricant, rust preventative, penetrant, cleaner, and moisture displacer; 3-IN-ONE Oil, a drip oil for household consumers that has applications in the areas of locksmithing, HVAC, marine, farming, construction, and jewelry manufacturing, as well as household consumer applications; and a range of heavy-duty hand cleaner products, including bar soaps and liquid cleaners under the Lava and Solvol brands. The company also provides X-14 line of liquid mildew stain removers, liquid daily shower cleaners, automatic toilet bowl cleaners, and aerosol and liquid all-purpose bathroom cleaners; 2000 Flushes line of automatic toilet bowl cleaners; Carpet Fresh rug and room deodorizers; aerosol and liquid carpet stain removers under the Spot Shot brand name; and homecare and cleaning products under the 1001 brand name. WD-40 Company markets its multi-purpose lubricants and heavy-duty hand cleaners primarily through mass retail and home center stores, warehouse club stores, grocery stores, hardware stores, automotive parts outlets, and industrial distributors and suppliers. The company was founded in 1953 and is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Chevron Oronite develops and markets quality additives that improve the performance of fuels and lubricants. We provide innovative solutions that keep the world moving.A subsidiary of Chevron Corporation, Oronite employs more than 2,000 people worldwide in a global organization comprising three regional operations with sales networks that extend to local markets.

If you are going by sea Hempel would like to go with you. The company makes paint and coatings for ships, shipping containers, yachts. Its products are also used on bridges, tunnels, and docks in marine environments. Hempel sells decorative paint for home and office mostly in Asia and the Middle East. Hempel has nearly 30 factories and 250 distribution centers worldwide along with about 50 sales offices for operations in more than 80 countries. Most of its customers are in oil and gas, civil construction, rail transport, power generation, and chemical plants. J.C. Hempel founded the company that bears his name in 1917.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.