US-based Celanese Corp (Dallas / Texas; www.celanese.com) has begun negotiations with undisclosed interested buyers on the sale of the “Topas” cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) business of subsidiary Ticona (D-65451 Kelsterbach; www.ticona.com). There are no plans to phase out production, Thomas Hensel, the company´s vice president for demand management, stressed just before Easter in a statement apparently aimed at concerned customers.

While Celanese is “convinced” that the business will have a “more successful future” with an owner that “can realise additional synergies,” Hensel stressed that demand is “growing rapidly,” and that Ticona will continue to develop the polymer in partnership with the new owner. “COC has tremendous potential, which is by no means exhausted,” added Gregor Bommel, head of the COC business unit. At K 2004, Topas attracted “the most inquiries from customers and other interested visitors,” he said.