Michigan-based chemical giant Dow Chemical (DOW) announced that its agricultural arm Dow AgroSciences has received regulatory approvals in the U.S. and Canada to launch its genetically modified (GM) corn seed – SmartStax. The all-in-one corn trait platform is scheduled for a commercial launch in 2010.   SmartStax is a high-yielding package for weed and bug control in corn. It features a unique combination of insect control traits that significantly reduces the risk of resistance for pests both above and below ground. It also protects the crop from being damaged by some weed and grass control chemicals. The GM seed combines as many as 8 different herbicide tolerance and pest protection genes.   SmartStax is jointly developed and marketed by Dow AgroSciences and Missouri-based agricultural solutions provider Monsanto (MON) following a cross licensing and research and development collaboration agreement in 2007.   SmartStax has received registration from the ...

Diamant Art Corp. announced that through Bio-Plastics Film Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary, the company has made recent progress with various companies that have considered its plastic packaging and additive products. Diamant Art is working on increasing interest in the various products that it distributes, such as the shrink and pallet wrap, both nationally and internationally.

To gain and maintain momentum on orders of ranging sizes, the company is in contact with companies around the world to widen its scope of potential clients in this challenging economy. There are a number of companies that will be completing testing of Diamant Art’s products. The company plans to update shareholders regularly as these results begin to materialize.

Recently, Diamant Art reported that Bio-Plastics Film received official notification that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has granted Non-Objection status to its food cling film products. By receiving this designation, Diamant Art’s cling film

...