Ecolab Inc. announced it will acquire biocide firm Alcide Corp., Redmond, WA. Alcide had global sales of about $22 million in calendar 2003. The agreement calls for a tax-free exchange in which Alcide shareholders will receive $21 a share to be paid in Ecolab shares based on a formula of Ecolab’s closing price prior to the effective date of the merger. Alcide had 2.7 million shares outstanding on Nov. 30, 2003, company executives said. At press time, the agreement was approved by both boards...