In a deal worth EUR 25m, carbon fibre producer SGL Group (Wiesbaden / Germany; www.sglgroup.com) has acquired 86% of the shares in Fibras Sintéticas de Portugal (Fisipe, Lavradio / Portugal; www.fisipe.pt). As part of the transaction, the German group also made a mandatory offer to acquire the remaining Fisipe shares. Pending the necessary regulatory approval, the deal is expected to be completed by the end of April 2012.

The Portuguese acrylic fibre producer has been a long-standing SGL cooperation partner. The latter already operates a PAN precursor fibre joint venture with Lenzing and a heavy tow carbon fibre (50k) jv with Mitsubishi Rayon, and expects this latest acquisition to strengthen its small tow carbon fibre (up to 24k) capacities. Speaking to Plasteurope.com, a company spokesperson said SGL would convert part of Fisipe’s plants to PAN precursor production, adding that the group’s existing acrylic fibre activities would remain in place. The revamped lines are expected to start precursor production in late 2013 or early 2014. Once on stream, SGL will no longer have to purchase PAN precurso for small tow fibres.

Fisipe’s 330 employees generated sales of EUR 130m in 2011. The Lavradio-based company is specialised in the manufacture of acrylic fibres for engineering applications.