MOSCOW (MRC) -- Arkema, a France-based chemical manufacturer and the world’s second leading producer of organic peroxides, has reinforced its organic peroxide operations with the acquisition of Italian company Oxido, a European player in the formulation of organic peroxides used primarily in synthetic rubber crosslinking, according to the company's statement.
This company specializes in the formulation of organic peroxides used in the crosslinking of rubber and plastics, as well as initiators for polyester resins and hardeners, and generates sales of some EUR20 million.
With this acquisition which offers significant synergies, along with the project to increase production capacities currently underway in China and due to come on stream early 2016, Arkema strengthens its position as a leading player in organic peroxides, and offers an even more extensive range of products for growing sectors such as cable, automotive and construction.
This acquisition will also help support the downstream integration of its organic peroxide productions in Europe, in particular bis-peroxide for which capacities were recently increased as part of the development plan launched in 2013 at its Spinetta (Italy) and Franklin (US) plants to meet the steady growth of the synthetic rubber industry. Hence Arkema consolidates its world leading position in bis-peroxide production with its Luperox and Vulcup brands.
With this acquisition, Arkema now manufactures organic peroxides on 12 sites around the world.
As MRC reported earlier, in January 2014, Arkema announced the construction of a new organic peroxide plant on its Changshu site in China. This investment helped to double the site’s production capacity. The new Changshu plant is due to come on stream in early 2016.
Arkema is a leading European supplier of chlorochemicals and PVC. Kynar and Kynar Flex are registered trademarks of Arkema Inc. With operations in close to 50 countries, some 19,000 employees and research centers in North America, France and Asia, Arkema generates pro forma annual revenue of some EUR7.6 billion.
MRC