Eastman Chemical (Kingsport, Tennessee / USA; www.eastman.com) has acquired Brazilian plasticiser producer Scandiflex do Brasil (Mauá, São Paulo; www.scandiflex.com.br). The US group said the acquisition provides regional diversification, in terms of both sales and manufacturing, and also brings several complementary non-phthalate products to its plasticiser portfolio. Scandiflex has production facilities in Mauá, and last year reported sales of USD 54m (EUR 38m).

“This acquisition is an important next step in our global growth strategy and positions us to grow as demand increases in Latin America for non-phthalate plasticizer products,” said Ron Lindsay, executive vice president for performance chemicals and intermediates and fibres at Eastman. The Scandiflex plasticizer business and manufacturing operations are now part of Eastman’s performance chemicals and intermediates (PCI) segment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.