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[May 2009]
Arkema Continues to Refocus Functional Additives Business
As part of the recentering of its Functional Additives business unit, Arkema (Colombes, France) has announced the sale of two families of additives produced in China to the Hoe Seng Co Pte Ltd group (Singapore): ceramic opacifiers and polyester resin catalysts.
“The sale of these non-strategic activities for Arkema will enable us to focus our resources on the development of other core business segments in which we offer genuine added value and hold leading positions,” explained Richard Rowe, Managing Director of the Functional Additives business unit. Production of these additives is based in China, on the Guangzhou site which employs 105 people and accounts for annual sales of the order of €13 million.
Ceramic opacifiers are used as additives for sanitaryware and ceramic tiles. Antimony-based PET catalysts are used by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) producers for polycondensation reactions. End products include polyester fibre, resin for bottles and tyres.
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals and Performance Products. Arkema reports sales of €5.6 billion and has 15,000 employees in over 40 countries and six research centres located in France, the USA and Japan. With internationally recognised brands, Arkema claims to hold leadership positions in its principal markets.
www.arkema.com
ENDS