EXTON, Pa. - Global specialty chemicals manufacturer Sartomer Company is expanding its operations in the Asia/Pacific region with the formation of the Sartomer Asia division and the appointment of the new division's general manager.

David Long, the company's former vice president of finance and Asia, will lead the new Sartomer Asia division as general manager. Long will be based in Hong Kong and is responsible for the division's business development operations. Previously, the company's Asian activities were coordinated from its world headquarters in Exton, Pa.

In addition, Sartomer has established a trading company - Sartomer Distribution Shanghai - to facilitate importing and distribution of the company's products throughout the Asia/Pacific region.

Also, Sartomer announced plans to build a new monomer and oligomer manufacturing facility in Nansha, China (near Guangzhou). The new plant will be completed in 2007. Sartomer currently services the region through an oligomers-manufacturing facility in Chonju, Korea, and by imports from Sartomer in Europe and United States.