Ascend Buys Eurostar Engineering Plastics
US nylon giant Ascend Performance Materials, which claims to be the world’s biggest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, has acquired Eurostar Engineering Plastics for an undisclosed sum. The French compounder manufactures a broad portfolio of flame-retardant engineered plastics and boasts expertise in halogen-free formulations.
With the deal, CEO Phil McDivitt said Ascend is “following through on its strategy of becoming a more global, diversified and reliable supplier.” Last year, it acquired Italian players Poliblend, a producer of PA and POM as well as a distributor, and masterbatch specialist Esseti Plast. Additionally, it acquired a compounding facility in China.
The Houston, Texas-based group said the acquisition of the compounder gives it access to a full portfolio of UL yellow card certified flame-retardant, as well as water contact and thermally conductive, engineered plastics. The materials play an integral role in e-mobility, as well as in smart appliances, industrial automation and consumer electronics.
“Combining our portfolio and application development expertise with Eurostar’s portfolio immediately provides our customers with a bigger tool chest to produce safer, more reliable parts at higher and more constant voltage loads,” said Steve Manning, Ascend’s senior director for engineered plastics. “Eurostar’s portfolio already meets not only today’s technical specifications, but also many of tomorrow’s,” he added.
Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist
