US plastic processing products manufacturer Chem-Trend (Howell, Michigan; www.chemtrend.com) has strengthened its presence in eastern Europe with the acquisition of the release agent business of Rubio Trading & Consulting (Arad / Romania; www.rubio.ro), its long-time distribution partner in Romania. Financial terms were not disclosed.

As a result of the acquisition, Chem-Trend has established Chem-Trend Romania with many of its existing people and also one of the former owners, Ciprian Cristea. “Our existing sales structure that is now backed by the in-depth technical and operational resources of the global Chem-Trend organisation allows us to deliver even greater service to our customers over the longer term,” Cristea stated.

The new entity will continue to support the local polyurethane and rubber moulding, thermoplastic processing and die casting industries and will expand in the future to support the needs of tyre manufacturers.

Chem-Trend has been active in eastern Europe for many years. Its president and CEO, Devanir Moraes, said Romania continues to attract a high level of foreign investment and is a strategically important and rapidly expanding market.

The deal comes some six months after two other acquisitions. Last September, Chem-Trend acquired the “Ultra Purge” high-performance range of purging compound technologies from Moulds Plus International (Villalvernia / Italy; www.moulds.org) as well as rival firm Huron Technologies (Leslie, Michigan / USA; www.hurontech.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 29.09.2016.