Realising its plans to radically restructure its business, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC, Tokyo / Japan; www.m-kagaku.co.jp) has signed a contract with Dutch chemical company DSM (Sittard; www.dsm.com) to exchange their respective polyamide (“Novamid”) and polycarbonate (“Xantar”) businesses. First announced in June 2009 – see Plasteurope.com of 12.06.2009 – the swap is expected to go through in Q2 2010.

Both companies will be able to broaden their portfolios as a result of the exchange. DSM, which will compound PC for MCC in Genk / Belgium, hopes to strengthen its presence in Asia, and Japan especially. As part of the deal, DSM will acquire MCC’s Taiwanese subsidiary Tai Young Nylon Co, which produces PA 6.6. The Dutch company has also undertaken to supply MCC with caprolactam once the Japanese group ceases production in March 2010. MCC, by contrast, will compound PA for DSM in Kurosaki / Japan.