Building on their existing 20-year relationship, UK-based speciality chemicals distributor Alfa Chemicals (Bracknell; www.alfa-chemicals.co.uk) on 1 May will begin marketing DuPont’s (Wilmington, Delaware / USA; www.dupont.com) PTFE, PFA, FEP and ETFE fluoropolymers in the UK, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The deal comprises DuPont’s “Teflon” And “Tefzel” brands, as well as its “Zonyl” PTFE micropowders – which Alfa will distribute across the UK and Ireland. As for the US group’s “Capstone” surfactants and repellants, Alfa is to oversee their marketing in the Nordic countries.

Marcel Vandennoort, business director of DuPont’s Chemicals and Fluoroproducts business unit in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said Alfa Chemicals was “the right choice as our growth partner in these regions,” adding that the two companies shared many synergies. Alfa managing director Mark Walker said that after the company recently expanded into the Nordic region, it was now looking to increase resources in the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia.

At the end of last year, the US chemicals giant announced its intention to spin off its Performance Chemicals division – including Chemicals & Fluoroproducts – to shareholders – see Plasteurope.com of 01.11.2013. The process is expected to be completed next year.