Akzo Nobel is the world's largest paint maker, but it can do more than paint a pretty picture. The company is also among the world's largest chemical manufacturers and a major salt producer. Akzo Nobel divides its business into three lines. The paints group produces decorative paints and primarily serves Europe and North America. Akzo Nobel's coatings group manufactures marine and protective coatings, packaging coatings, automotive finishes, and industrial coatings. The specialty chemicals unit makes pulp and paper chemicals, functional chemicals (flame retardants, crop nutrients), industrial chemicals (salt and chlor alkalies), surfactants, and specialty starches.

Kuraray's synthetics are for real. The diversified company manufactures chemicals and resins (about half of sales, including copolymer EVAL used in food packaging) and synthetic fibers and textiles (man-made leather, nonwoven fabrics, rayon, and polyester). It also offers engineering and consulting services. Kuraray pioneered the commercialization of several synthetic fibers and resins -- such as its KURALON and Poval products -- for industrial uses. The company, which does most of its business in Japan, is made up of about 80 companies operating in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Energy Recovery, Inc. engages in the design, development, manufacture, and sale of energy recovery devices for sea water reverse osmosis desalination worldwide. The company markets its energy recovery devices under the ERI, PX, Pressure Exchanger, and PX Pressure Exchanger trademarks. It serves engineering and construction firms, and original equipment manufacturers. Energy Recovery, Inc. was founded in 1992 and is headquartered in San Leandro, California.

Shintech produces PVC (the chemical also known as polyvinyl chloride) resins. Based in Houston, Shintech's manufacturing plants are located in Texas and Louisiana. The only other product the company makes is caustic soda. Shintech serves customers primarily in North America, but also exports its products worldwide. Established in 1973, Shintech is a US subsidiary of Japanese diversified chemicals giant Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. It's the largest maker of PVC in the US, just as Shin-Etsu is the largest in the world.

When your roof starts leaking, you can turn to Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing's products to stop it from happening again. The division of Carlisle Companies unit SynTec makes primers, mastics, deck coatings, drainage systems, construction membranes, and roofing underlayment. The company also manufactures duct sealants and adhesives for HVAC equipment. Carlisle Coatings & Waterproofing makes its products at four manufacturing plants and maintains sales offices throughout the US and in Canada. Its brands include Barricoat, Eco-Fast, and Vapor-Lock, which are targeted for the construction, industrial, and maintenance markets.

Inabata & Co. is all over the map, literally and figuratively. The company has operations in such varied segments as information technology and electronics, housing materials, chemicals, plastics, and food, offering its products around the world. The company produces IT and electronic goods including flat panel displays, copiers and printers, while its chemical products include dyestuffs, paper chemicals, paint, ink, and adhesives. Offerings in the plastics segments include resins, performance plastics, and packaging materials. Inabata also supplies seafood, agricultural, and meat products to commercial clients worldwide.

OMNOVA Solutions, Inc. provides emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals, and decorative and functional surfaces for various commercial, industrial, and residential end uses primarily in the United States, Asia, and Europe. It operates in two segments, Performance Chemicals and Decorative Products. The Performance Chemicals segment produces a range of emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals based on styrene butadiene, styrene butadiene acrylonitrile, styrene butadiene vinyl pyridine, polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic, glyoxal, and fluorochemical chemistries. Its custom-formulated products are tailored for coatings, binders, and adhesives, which are used in paper, carpet, nonwovens, construction, adhesives, tape, tire cord, floor polish, textiles, graphic arts, plastic parts, and various other specialty applications.The Decorative Products segment develops, designs, produces, and markets a line of decorative and functional surfacing products, including commercial wallcoverings, coated and performance fabrics, vinyl, paper and specialty laminates, and performance films. Its products are used in various applications, including commercial building refurbishment, remodeling, and new construction; residential cabinets, flooring, and furnishings; transportation markets comprising school busses, marine, and automotive; and recreational vehicles, manufactured housing, and various industrial film applications. The company sells its products through internal marketing, sales, and technical service teams to manufacturers; through independent distributors to building owners, contractors, architects, interior designers, and other specifiers; and through agents to manufacturers of cabinets, furniture, seating, and other products. OMNOVA Solutions was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Fairlawn, Ohio.

Ashland Distribution is the one to call. The largest division of specialty chemicals company Ashland distributes chemicals, plastics, and composites (thermoset resins and associated products) in North America and plastics in Europe and China. Ashland Distribution serves coatings, adhesives, and inks makers; plastics compounders; the aerospace and electronics industries; and metalworking lubricant and chemical manufacturers. Parent company Ashland agreed in 2010 to sell the distribution business to private equity firm TPG Capital for $930 million.

Turtle Wax would have been one of those kitchen table success stories, except Ben and Marie Hirsch concocted their polish in the bathtub. In the 1950s they changed the name of their company from Plastone Polish to Super Hard Shell and later to Turtle Wax. Now led jointly by their daughter Sondra Healy and son Denis John Healy Jr., the family-owned firm makes more than 1,250 products, including car waxes, polishes, and cleaners and sells them in 90 countries. Other products include engine treatments, vinyl and leather protectants, and odor removers. Turtle Wax also supplies bulk chemicals to car washes and operates some 20 car washes in the Chicago and Kansas City areas.

Lansdowne Chemicals supplies specialty chemicals for use in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to printing. Its chemicals are used in vitamins, consumer products such as cosmetics and fragrances, food, and water treatment. The company's product list includes acetophenones, amino acids, anabolic steroids, benzaldehydes, iodides, and polyester resins. Lansdowne Chemicals imports chemicals from around the globe, primarily from Europe and Asia. The company was formed in 1976 to provide a Far East source of specialty and aroma chemicals to the UK. Today it operates offices in China, Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK.

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