US specialty chemicals producer W. R. Grace (Columbia, Maryland; www.grace.com) is acquiring Dow Chemical’s (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) “Unipol” PP licensing and catalysts business for USD 500m (EUR 369m). The business provides the technology and catalysts to produce PP, including “Unippac” process control software, “Shac” catalysts systems and non-phthalate “Consista” catalysts systems. The sale is part of Dow’s plans to divest non-core businesses worth USD 1.5 bn by late next year – see Plasteurope.com of 19.03.2013.

Under the agreement, W.R. Grace will acquire Dow’s PP catalysts manufacturing facility at Norco, Louisiana / USA and customer contracts, licenses, intellectual property and inventory. About 90 Dow employees worldwide are expected to move to W. R Grace as part of the transaction, which is expected to close by the end of this year.

Andrew Liveris, Dow’s CEO, said the company plans to make further divestments over the next 12 months. “Our accelerated strategy is focused on narrowing our market participation and preferentially funding our select growth businesses with strong competitive positions in attractive markets such as electronics, water, packaging and agricultural sciences,” he stated.