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PPG Pittsburgh Paint has kicked off a promotion to coincide with the launch of its new website that gives visitors the opportunity to name 150 new colors. In addition, its “The Voice of Color” (voiceofcolor.com) program features a new, integrated, comprehensive color design system.

California retailer Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. entered into a multi-year distribution agreement with high-end paint manufacturer Benjamin Moore & Co.

Under the agreement, Benjamin Moore will become Orchard's supplier of interior and exterior paint coatings. The rollout to Orchard's 87-store chain is expected to begin in March and be completed by August 2012.

Channel analysis

Consumer research from the Port Washington, N.Y.-based NPD Group showed sales in the Fertilizer-Herbicide-Pesticide (FHP) category are growing — up 5.5% from a year ago to $1.31 billion. According to NPD, sales may be boosted by a DIY approach to lawn care, a low-cost alternative to hiring professional lawn care services. 

The demand for paint and coatings in the United States is expected to rise 7.8% annually through 2015, according to a study by The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based market research firm. The market is expected to expand strongly in both volume and value terms, rebounding from the declines of the recession-impacted 2005 to 2010 period.

Griffin, Ga.-based Osmose announced a new online American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Program course titled, Micronized Technology for Pressure Treated Wood. 

The course for design professionals familiarizes them with wood as a sustainable building material, the pressure treating process, environmental certifications and other benefits of micronized copper pressure treated wood products, according to Osmose. 

Dunn-Edwards has introduced two new lines of acrylic paints for both interior and exterior use. Spartawall interior and Spartashield exterior acrylic paints are both available in a full range of gloss levels and colors. They can be used on commercial and residential projects, such as schools, hotels, hospitals, and single family or multi-tenant housing.  Both are formulated to provide for a more durable, better hiding, and longer lasting paint, the company said. 

The following letter was a response to "EPA lead rule suffers setback:"

"There is no need for a better ‘test kit,’ as highly reliable and affordable X-Ray Fluorescence technology has been in use for decades. There are many consultants who have XRF machines, and lead inspections are inexpensive. XRF testing produces no damage, while ‘test kits’ and chip sampling involves producing widely scattered damage (12 to 15 sample locations for a typical room in a house).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it is taking a closer look at new uses of glymes, chemicals used in a wide array of consumer products that include paints and coatings, adhesives and household batteries, as well as printing ink and motor vehicle brake systems. 

Dunn-Edwards, the Los Angeles-based paint and sundries line, has introduced a premium interior enamel product line that has the performance and appearance of traditional oil-based paint but cleans up with soap and water. 

Called Aristowall, the gloss and semi-gloss paint is a water-oil hybrid product designed for interior walls, trim, molding, cabinets, doors, kitchens, baths and high-traffic areas. It uses waterborne alkyd technology, according to Terry Chi, product manager. “The end result is a surface that looks like glass,” she said. 

Gloucester, Mass.-based Rule is promoting greener gardens through a new solar-powered RainPerfect pump system designed for use with rain barrels.

The product made its debut in January, and is now working its way to consumers nationwide, according to the company. It was developed and produced by ITT Corp.'s Flow Control division.

Behr Process Corp. announced that two of its paint lines meet guidelines of the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI). Behr's recently certified products include all Behr Premium Plus and Premium Plus Ultra interior paints, including the Behr Premium Plus interior/exterior high-gloss series.