US resins manufacturer Reichhold (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; www.reichhold.com) has entered into a manufacturing and distribution cooperation with Ilkalem (Istanbul / Turkey; www.ilkalem.com.tr). This is the US company's second cooperative agreement in Turkey.

Ilkalem manufactures about 20,000 t/y of unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and gelcoats. Under the terms of the agreement, the Turkish group will manufacture several Reichhold products at its plant in Istanbul, thereby expanding the US company's portfolio in Turkey.

Reichhold entered into a similar agreement some time ago with Ege Kimya (Istanbul / Turkey; www.egekimya.com), but this extra capacity seems no longer enough. Together with its numerous subsidiaries, Ege Kimya's portfolio includes unsatured polyester resins. Its subsidiary Ege Polifen also manufactures 10,000 t/y of acrylic sheet for kitchen and sanitary appliances.