In mid-December, Belgian pipe producer Aliaxis (Brussels; www.aliaxis.com) acquired the remaining shares in its Chilean competitor Vinilit (Santiago de Chile; www.vinilit.cl) in a deal the financial details of which were not disclosed. The Belgian group already owned a 40% stake in Vinilit and bought the outstanding shares from construction group Pizarreño (Santiago / Chile; www.pizarreno.cl), which – in turn – belongs to Etex (Brussels / Belgium; www.etexgroup.com).

The transaction strengthens Aliaxis’ footprint in Latin America, said group CEO Yves Mertens. Considered to be the market leader in plastic fluid handling systems in Chile, Vinilit’s portfolio comprises PVC, PP and HDPE pipes, connectors, valves, water systems, rain gutters adhesives and other water management solutions. The company employs more than 400 workers at two plants.