It’s a done deal: German speciality chemicals company Lanxess (Cologne; www.lanxess.com) says it has finished its purchase of US chemicals and additives manufacturer Emerald Kalama Chemical (Vancouver, Washington; www.emeraldmaterials.com – see Plasteurope.com of 15.02.2021) after all necessary official approvals were granted. The German company said it financed the deal worth some USD 1.04 bn (EUR 870m) from liquid funds.

In 2020, Emerald Kalama achieved worldwide sales of around USD 425m and EBIDTA before special items of around USD 90m, with 75% of sales generated in the specialities business for consumer care, especially with products for flavours, fragrances, and preservatives. The remaining sales came from speciality chemicals for industrial applications, which include plastic additives such as plasticisers. The deal gives Lanxess more than 460 additional employees and further production sites in Kalama, Washington, Rotterdam / The Netherlands, and Widnes / UK.

With the second largest acquisition in the company’s history, the German group is strengthening its range of speciality chemicals for plastics, paints, coatings and adhesives. A central product line in the newly expanded portfolio is the “K-Flex” brand of phthalate-free plasticisers for applications in adhesives, coatings, sealants and vinyl.