DOW
Sale of thermoplastic PU business to Lubrizol
Dow Chemical (Midland, Michigan / USA; www.dow.com) transferred its USD 85m thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) business for an undisclosed sum to Lubrizol (Wickliffe, Ohio / USA; www.lubrizol.com) at the end of 2008. The acquisition will allow the Ohio company to expand its business with aromatic TPUs, sold under the “Estane” brand name.
Dow’s production lines at La Porte, Texas, manufacture “Pellethane” TPU elastomers used in footwear, medical tubing, automotive, film and industrial applications along with “Isoplast” engineering TPUs used in a variety of niche high-end applications. No capacity figures have been disclosed. The world’s second largest chemical group pointed to a lack of strategic fit with its current focus as the reason for the sale.
Along with all commercial, production and R&D assets of the Dow business, the agreement provides for Lubrizol to take over a full-time workforce of around 40 people as well as the plant, customer lists, contracts and technologies. Dow brand names will be retained under the “Estane Engineered Polymers” umbrella.
Dow’s production lines at La Porte, Texas, manufacture “Pellethane” TPU elastomers used in footwear, medical tubing, automotive, film and industrial applications along with “Isoplast” engineering TPUs used in a variety of niche high-end applications. No capacity figures have been disclosed. The world’s second largest chemical group pointed to a lack of strategic fit with its current focus as the reason for the sale.
Along with all commercial, production and R&D assets of the Dow business, the agreement provides for Lubrizol to take over a full-time workforce of around 40 people as well as the plant, customer lists, contracts and technologies. Dow brand names will be retained under the “Estane Engineered Polymers” umbrella.
16.01.2009 Plasteurope.com [212604-0]
Published on 16.01.2009