German chemicals group Rütgers (D-45128 Essen; www.ruetgers.de) has sold the “Trosifol” business of its subsidiary HT Troplast (D-53839 Troisdorf; www.ht-troplast.com) to Japanese fibres and speciality polymers group Kuraray (Tokyo; www.kuraray.co.jp). While the selling price has not been disclosed, some observers put it at EUR 110m. The business, which employs 240 and has annual sales of around EUR 100m, manufactures PVB film for automobile safety glass and for construction industry applications.

Starting out with rayon fibres, Kuraray has developed over the past decade into a globally active manufacturer of artificial leather, barrier materials – in particular EVOH, where it is market leader – fine chemicals and speciality elastomers, led by TPEs. The company is a long-time important supplier for Trosifol, which apparently fits well with the Japanese group´s niche market strategy.

With the sale of Trosifol, Rütgers has nearly completed the sell-off scheme associated with the acquisition by its parent company RAG of the majority in speciality chemicals producer Degussa (D-40402 Düsseldorf; www.degussa.com). Following the divestment of Bakelite, Isola and now Trosifol, next in line is the European market leader in PVC window profiles, Profine (D-53839 Troisdorf; www.profine-group.com). According to Rütgers, talks with potential buyers are at an “advanced stage.” Sources close to the company say a buyer is already on the hook; however, the name is a closely guarded secret.