Belgian speciality chemicals and food additives distributor Azelis (Antwerp; www.azelis.com) has hit the acquisition trail again, agreeing to buy Chemiplas Agencies (Auckland, New Zealand; www.chemiplas.co.nz), one of the leading distributors of speciality chemicals, plastics raw materials, and ingredients in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2023; financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Related: Azelis buys two Chinese distributors

In a statement, Azelis said the agreement to incorporate Chemiplas into its business would significantly expand its footprint and accelerate growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The distributor employs more than 100 people at its headquarters in Auckland.

In August this year Azelis announced it was acquiring Turkish speciality chemicals distributor Dağaltı Kaucuk (Istanbul; www.dagalti.com – see Plasteurope.com of 25.08.2022), and in July revealed it was buying Lebanon-based distributor Chempart Polymers and parent group Chemical Partners (Beirut; www.chempart.com). The Azelis Group most recently posted a turnover of EUR 2.83 bn.