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[October 2007]
SGL Group Acquires epo
SGL Group – The Carbon Company (Wiesbaden, Germany) has strengthened its core expertise in high-performance materials by acquiring epo GmbH (Willich, Germany), one of the leading European manufacturers of carbon fibre composites.
Particularly as a manufacturer of unidirectional semi-finished carbon fibre-based products (prepregs), epo ranks among the technology leaders. With a global presence in these markets, epo GmbH generated sales of around €20 million in 2006.The transaction is still subject to approval by the antitrust authorities.
Dr Hariolf Kottmann, Member of SGL Group’s Board of Management, said: "With this strategic acquisition, SGL Group has strengthened its market position as the sole European integrated carbon fibers and composites manufacturer. The integration of epo’s business activities into the Business Unit Carbon Fibers and Composites (CFC) will enlarge SGL Group’s technological expertise and expand its capacity for producing carbon fiber composites. In addition, epo’s product portfolio and international market presence are a perfect match to SGL Group’s resources”.
epo GmbH specialises in high-performance, carbon fibre-based composites combining ultra-low weight with high mechanical strength and stiffness. Due to these characteristics, composite materials are in increasing demand as substitutes in a wide range of industrial applications, particularly in aerospace, mechanical engineering and plant construction, as well as in the automotive industry. Another major application is wind power generators – a key area in the alternative energy sector. Given the growing diameters of rotor blades and the resulting strong mechanical loads, rotors are increasingly built with carbon fibre-based materials.
The acquisition of epo represents a further important milestone in SGL Group’s Carbon Fibers and Composites strategy and is a major extension of its core CFC activities. These include own production capacities of raw material (precursor), the manufacturing of carbon fibres in diverse qualities, strengths and specifications, as well as the next stage along the value added chain, where carbon fibres are processed into fabrics, preforms or prepregs (composite materials). In this context, epo GmbH will reinforce SGL Group’s existing investment in a state-of-the-art prepreg plant at its Meitingen site, as well as SGL Kümpers GmbH & Co KG, which was established in January 2007 following an acquisition.
ENDS