In a deal the financial details of which were not disclosed, commodity plastics distributor TCR Plastics (Breda / The Netherlands; www.tcrplastics.eu) has acquired its competitor Brasplast Europe (Leiden / The Netherlands). The purchase is part of TCR’s long-term strategy to expand its activities in Europe, in particular with a view to the changes that are expected to take place with the new shale gas-based PE capacity expansions due to come on stream in the US in the coming years.

Founded in 2002, Brasplas’ regional focus is in the Benelux states, although it is also active in overseas markets. Its portfolio will complement that of TCR Plastics, whose clients include Braskem and LG Chem. The Breda-based, family-owned distributor was established in 1981, and initially focused on exporting European polymers to the Far East. In 2006, the company acquired recyclate specialist Ovimo Plastics (Almelo / The Netherlands; www.ovimoplastics.eu).