DSM acquires full ownership of NPC PA6 polymer facility

Royal DSM N.V., the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company headquartered in the Netherlands, and Shaw Industries Group, Inc. announced recently that DSM has acquired full control of the PA6 polymerization facility of Nylon Polymer Company LLC (NPC) in Augusta (Georgia, United States). Shaw Industries and DSM Chemicals North America were previously joint venture partners in NPC.

As a result of the transaction, which has been closed, NPC is fully integrated into DSM Engineering Plastics’ activities as of 1 January 2010. Financial details and terms of the transaction will not be disclosed.

For DSM Engineering Plastics the acquisition of the full ownership of the PA6 polymerization facility is an important step in its strategy to increase its geographical footprint, including expansion into South America. It also allows the company full integration in the PA6 chain, including caprolactam, polymer and compounded products, in North America, supporting its strong commitment to key customers in the Americas. Last year, DSM opened its first PA6 polymerization plant in China, making it the only company to produce the entire PA6 chain in China.

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Koen Devits, President of DSM Engineering Plastics Americas, says: "This acquisition represents a major expansion of our polymerization capabilities in the Americas. It helps us to fully exploit our strong backward integration at the Augusta site, where DSM also produces caprolactam, a key raw material for Akulon®. The acquisition is also needed to support the additional sales opportunities we have generated, especially in the automotive, furniture and packaging industries, and it illustrates DSM’s strong commitment to the Americas market."

Richard Pieters, Global Business Director Akulon® PA6, comments: “We are very excited about this acquisition as it will further reinforce our commitment to global customers who want local supply and global support. North America will remain a key specification and innovation area for DSM Engineering Plastics.”

Akulon® Polyamide 6 (PA6) is a thermoplastic with outstanding mechanical properties over a wide temperature range used in various everyday applications such as automotive, luggage, sports, electronics, packaging films, lighting and furniture. Caprolactam, produced by DSM Fibre Intermediates, is the raw material for PA6, which gives DSM a unique position as an integrated producer of the material. As a replacement of metal in various applications, Akulon® PA6 can offer weight reduction to for instance the automotive industry, resulting in lower CO2 emissions.

More Information: www.dsmep.com, www.shawfloors.com

DSM Engineering Plastics, Sittard, Netherlands

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