ALLENTOWN, PA - Air Products and Chemicals Inc. announced the launch of a new Performance Materials Division that combines the company's specialty surfactants, vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions, and specialty amines and curatives operations.

The division will focus on customers' requirements for environmentally friendly products and solutions, and will seek expansion into higher-growth markets while continuing to pursue growth in the coatings, adhesives, automotive, and construction markets, the company said.

The Performance Materials Division initially will consist of the following three businesses.

Performance Products, which will include the company's Polyurethane Additives, Epoxy Additives and Specialty Amines businesses;

Performance Polymers, focusing on vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) copolymers; and

Performance Solutions, combining Air Products' existing Specialty Additives product lines with new high-performance additives and solutions.

The Performance Materials Division will remain part of Air Products' Chemicals Group, which also includes intermediate industrial chemicals.