23/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - Mergers: Dow Chemical/UBE Advanced Materials. On 22 September, the European Commission authorised the creation of a joint-venture between the American chemicals group Dow Chemical Inc (chemicals, agri-chemicals, hydrocarbon derivatives and plastic products, energy products) and the Japanese diversified company UBE Advanced Materials Inc (chemical specialities, plastics, construction material, metal products, carbon storage). The new company, which will be based in the United States, will produce and distribute electrolytes for lithium batteries, initially in the United States alone. (F.G./transl.fl)