Bayer MaterialScience (BMS, Leverkusen / Germany; www.bayerbms.com) plans to expand its PU pourable elastomer business and has entered into talks to acquire all shares in its Baulé SAS (Romans sur Isère / France; www.baule.com) joint venture, a company spokesman told Plasteurope.com. Further details were not available although he did say that BMS already has informed the relevant competition authorities of its plan.

The Leverkusen-based group had joined its hot-melt elastomers business with that of Michel Baulé SA (Romans sur Isère / France; www.baule.com) in 2008 – see Plasteurope.com of 02.05.2008. Aside from PU cast resins, the jv – with operations in the UK, the US and China – also offers the relevant low-pressure machinery.