ICI Americas announced that an agreement has been signed for the acquisition of its Atlas Explosives Division, including the Reynolds plant near Tamaqua, by the Tyler Corporation of Dallas, Texas. The purchase is subject to approval by the Federal Trade Commission.

The Explosives Division will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tyler Corporation and will operate as the Atlas Powder Company. Max E. Colson, ICI America vice president, will become president of the new subsidiary. The division has about 1,800 employees and operated large industrial explosive plants in Reynolds and Joplin, Missouri, manufacturing dynamite, blasting agents and blasting supplies.