Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan 48764, USA) has agreed to acquire for CHF 677m the 50% share of Swiss partner Gurit-Heberlein (CH-9630 Wattwil) in the joint venture Gurit-Essex (Wolleraustrasse 15/17, CH-8807 Freisenbach). Following regulatory approval, the business will be integrated into Dow´s automotive division. Gurit-Essex, which has nine sales and manufacturing offices in seven European countries and South Africa, is a leading producer of polyurethane systems for direct glazing of automobile windows.

Beyond its core competence in PU, Gurit-Essex claims to be largest European supplier of automotive adhesives, sealants and body engineered systems for the automotive OEM and aftermarket. With 870 employees, it last reported sales of CHF 407m. Gurit-Heberlein plans to use proceeds from the sale to expand its other plastics activities in dental and industrial speciality applications.