At the beginning of 2011, compounder and distributor PolyOne (Cleveland, Ohio / USA; www.polyone.com) acquired Brazilian speciality engineering plastics producer and distributor Uniplen Indústria de Polímeros (Uniplen, São Paulo; www.uniplen.com.br) for an upfront cash purchase price of USD 21m (EUR 16m). Additional milestone payments are to be made over the next three years if the South American company with 2010 sales of around USD 34m achieves certain “performance metrics.” The acquisition complements PolyOne’s purchase in October 2010 of another Brazil-based company, speciality colours manufacturer Polimaster, with USD 4 million in sales.

“The Uniplen acquisition provides PolyOne with local expertise in specialty engineered materials as well as an attractive position in the Brazilian thermoplastics distribution market,” said CEO Stephen D. Newlin. He added that the deal gives his company specialty engineered materials, colour masterbatch and distribution capabilities in Brazil. The acquired businesses based at São Paulo, Santa Catharina and Novo Hamburgo, near Porto Allegre, supply the consumer goods, transportation and appliance sectors.

To extend the company’s specialities platform, chief financial officer Robert M. Patterson said PolyOne will continue to seek opportunities for bolt-on acquisitions that increase its presence in high-growth regions such as Brazil, Asia, and the Middle East. The focus will be on “attractive end markets” such as consumer and healthcare.