Supresta (Ardsley, New York / USA), which claims to be the world's largest manufacturer of flame retardants based on phosphorus, is to be acquired by Israel Chemicals (ICL, Beer-Sheva / Israel; www.icl-ip.com) for a cash payment of USD 352m. Supresta will become part of ICL's industrial products division, lifting the division's sales to around USD 1.1m.

Supresta is the former phosphorus chemicals business of Akzo Nobel. The company employs 300 people at two plants in Bitterfeld / Germany, and Gallipolis Ferry, Virginia / USA. Its product portfolio comprises more than 80 phosphorus-based materials, including flame retardants for polyurethanes and thermoplastics. Its sales in 2006 amounted to USD 248.8m, unchanged on the previous year. EBITDA was USD 35.5m (2005: USD 37.6m).

In addition to its profitable industrial products division, which reported sales of USD 838m in 2006 from its predominantly bromine-based business, ICL also manufactures fertilisers. The company belongs to Dead Sea Bromine Company (DSBG, Beer Sheva / Israel; www.dsbg.com).