US plastic compounds and resins supplier A. Schulman (Akron, Ohio; www.aschulman.com) has inked a deal for the acquisition of Brazilian compound and masterbatch manufacturer Mash Compostos Plásticos (São Paulo; www.mashplasticos.com.br). The purchase price was not disclosed, the deal is expected to close on 3 November.

The acquisition comes in the wake of A. Schulman’s earlier takeover of ICO (Houston, Texas / USA; www.icopolymers.com) – see Plasteurope.com of 05.05.2010 – a deal that also included two plants in Brazil. Explaining the rationale behind the latest acquisition, Joseph Gingo, A. Schulman chairman, president and CEO, said: “The Brazilian plastics industry holds significant growth potential because per-capita consumption of plastic is still much lower than in other countries.” A. Schulman hopes the purchase will help it meet growing local demand for specialised additives and plastic materials.

A. Schulman operates 36 plants in North and South America, Europe and Asia. The company’s global workforce of 2,900 generated revenues of USD 1.3 bn in financial 2009 (ended 31 August).

Founded in 2004, Mash Compostos Plasticos produces a wide range of additive concentrates, fillers and glass fibres, resin blends, colour concentrates and base resins.