Celanese Acquires Two DuPont Polymer Lines

DN Staff

May 6, 2010

2 Min Read
Celanese Acquires Two DuPont Polymer Lines

The Advanced Engineered Materials business of CelaneseCorp. is acquiring two product lines from DuPont Performance Polymers: DuPont(TM) Zenite(R)liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and Thermx(R)polycyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate (PCT).

"This acquisition will continue to build upon Celanese'sposition as a global supplier of high-performance materials andtechnology-driven applications as we continue to expand our innovativeofferings in growth-oriented segments to support our customers," says DavidWeidman, chairman and CEO, Celanese."These two products broaden the company's Ticona Engineering Polymersofferings, enabling Celanese to respond to a globalizing customer base,especially in the high growth electrical and electronics application segments."

"As the leading supplier of high-performance engineeringresins, DuPont Performance Polymers is fully committed to growing andstrengthening its broad product portfolio," says Diane Gulyas, president,DuPont Performance Polymers. "DuPont Performance Polymers has concluded thatthis opportunity to divest Zenite LCP and Thermx PCT is in the best long-terminterests of our portfolio and customers. We will work closely with Celanese tomake the transition period as effective as possible for our customers."

Revenues of Zenite LCP and Thermx PCT were approximately $40million in 2009 during a period of global economic recessionary conditions. Theacquisition price was not disclosed.

Liquid-crystalpolymers (LCPs) are aromatic polyester polymers that are highlyresistant to fire.

They are increasingly important in electronic devices asa replacement for halogenated plastic compounds. Many global manufacturers arediscontinuing the use of halogenated compounds in their products in favor ofmore environmentally friendly components.

LCPs are used in switches, connectors, memory modulesockets, in-play consoles, laptops, televisions and mobile phones, and otherelectrical and electronics devices.

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corp.,produces and markets a broad range of high-performance products, and posted netsales of $808 million in fiscal 2009.

Acquisition ofDupont's Zenite business gives Ticona a strong market position, combining twoof the three leading global producers. The third is Solvay Advanced Polymers,which sells XydarLCP. Two other producers are Sumitomo and Polyplastics.

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