Hercules Chemical Co. has bought one of its staunchest competitors, Cloroben Chemical. Cloroben's particular expertise in
drain and septic products was key to the acquisition, according to David M. Siegal, Hercules president.
"The drain-cleaning marketplace has been very good for us," Siegal explained. "But Cloroben's research and development in
environmentally-friendly products - a big draw these days - was very advanced."