In a deal expected to be concluded in March, the Bayer group (D-51368 Leverkusen) has agreed to acquire the DEM 62m worldwide polycarbonate and PET transparent sheets business of DSM (HQ: NL-8000 AA Zwolle) for an undisclosed sum. Bayer said the acquisition is part of a strategic plan to expand its position in polycarbonate multi-wall and solid sheets.

Although Bayer is known more as a plastics producer than a converter, this is not its first engagement in processing. It already holds stakes in producers of PC sheets in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Israel and China. The DSM activities, made up of Axxis NV (B-8700 Tielt) and DSM Sheffield Plastics (Sheffield, Massachusetts, USA), manufacture and market solid sheets of PC and PET and have annual sales of around EUR 120m.

With output of 500,000 t/y, Bayer is world´s second largest producer of polycarbonate, behind GE Plastics. Capacities are currently being expanded to 700,000 t/y The group said it plans to enter the US market for PC sheets. Competitor GE already is active in this sector (trade name: Structured Products). While its sheets business has demonstrated “good growth and profitability,” DSM said further improvement would demand considerable investment, as it is not integrated upstream.