DSM
US medical technology firm acquired / Sales of EUR 100m targeted for biomedical unit by 2012
DSM (Heerlen / The Netherlands; www.dsm.com) is planning to acquire Polymer Technology Group (PTG, Berkeley / USA; www.polymertech.com). The acquisition, set to close during the second quarter of 2008, is a further step in the strategic vision for 2010 announced last September. This includes stepping up activities in polymer development for medical technology applications.
PTG specialises in biomedical materials, including segmented polyurethane (“Biospan” brand), polycarbonate urethane (“Bionate”), thermoplastic polyether urethane (“Elasthane”), silicone polyether urethane (“PurSil”) and silicone polycarbonate urethane (“CarboSil”). These polymers are used in biosoluble and bioinsoluble devices such as catheters, prosthetic spinal implants, contact lenses and implantable sensors. The company aims to report sales of USD 40m in 2008 and to grow sales by 20% a year in the next three to five years.
PTG will be assigned to the DSM Biomedical unit, which currently has stakes in Harland Medical Systems (coatings), Micromuscle (electro-active polymers), Oxford Performance Materials (ultra-high performance thermoplastics) and Xylos Corporation (wound dressings made from biosynthesized cellulose). At the end of 2007, DSM and the university of Maastricht in The Netherlands set up a joint programme to develop biomedical plastic materials, which receives funding of EUR 45m from the Dutch government.
Like many previous acquisitions, the purchase of PTG is part of DSM's strategy of repositioning itself as a life sciences and material sciences specialist. The company is dedicating considerable capacity and financial resources to developing existing materials for medical applications. Measures already announced include the use of polyester-based TPE (“Arnitel”) and ultra high molecular weight PE (“Stamylan UH") for joint replacements. The Dutch company plans to raise biomedical sales from around EUR 10m at present to around EUR 100m by 2012.
DSM introduced a new organisational structure at the end of 2007, with four new divisions: Nutrition, Pharma, Performance Materials and Polymer Intermediates. It also has a Base Chemicals segment, which groups together the commodities operations earmarked for divestment. These comprise melamine / urea / fertilisers / energy, which generated sales of around EUR 700m in 2007, elastomers (EUR 500m), speciality products (EUR 100m) and the polyester resin precursor maleic acid anhydride (EUR 75m). The company has also defined four growth areas: Biomedical, White Biotech, Personalized Nutrition and Speciality Packaging.
PTG specialises in biomedical materials, including segmented polyurethane (“Biospan” brand), polycarbonate urethane (“Bionate”), thermoplastic polyether urethane (“Elasthane”), silicone polyether urethane (“PurSil”) and silicone polycarbonate urethane (“CarboSil”). These polymers are used in biosoluble and bioinsoluble devices such as catheters, prosthetic spinal implants, contact lenses and implantable sensors. The company aims to report sales of USD 40m in 2008 and to grow sales by 20% a year in the next three to five years.
PTG will be assigned to the DSM Biomedical unit, which currently has stakes in Harland Medical Systems (coatings), Micromuscle (electro-active polymers), Oxford Performance Materials (ultra-high performance thermoplastics) and Xylos Corporation (wound dressings made from biosynthesized cellulose). At the end of 2007, DSM and the university of Maastricht in The Netherlands set up a joint programme to develop biomedical plastic materials, which receives funding of EUR 45m from the Dutch government.
Like many previous acquisitions, the purchase of PTG is part of DSM's strategy of repositioning itself as a life sciences and material sciences specialist. The company is dedicating considerable capacity and financial resources to developing existing materials for medical applications. Measures already announced include the use of polyester-based TPE (“Arnitel”) and ultra high molecular weight PE (“Stamylan UH") for joint replacements. The Dutch company plans to raise biomedical sales from around EUR 10m at present to around EUR 100m by 2012.
DSM introduced a new organisational structure at the end of 2007, with four new divisions: Nutrition, Pharma, Performance Materials and Polymer Intermediates. It also has a Base Chemicals segment, which groups together the commodities operations earmarked for divestment. These comprise melamine / urea / fertilisers / energy, which generated sales of around EUR 700m in 2007, elastomers (EUR 500m), speciality products (EUR 100m) and the polyester resin precursor maleic acid anhydride (EUR 75m). The company has also defined four growth areas: Biomedical, White Biotech, Personalized Nutrition and Speciality Packaging.
12.05.2008 Plasteurope.com [210744]
Published on 12.05.2008
German version of this article...