Lanxess: Rhein Chemie acquires U.S. bladder producer TCB

Lanxess is strengthening its position as a premium supplier to the tire industry. The specialty chemicals company’s wholly-owned subsidiary Rhein Chemie has acquired USA-based Tire Curing Bladders LLC (TCB) - a leading manufacturer of bladders for the tire industry. Financial details were not disclosed. The transaction will close with immediate effect.

Privately-owned TCB is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and operates a bladder production facility with an annual capacity in excess of 400,000 units. The company achieved sales of USD 21 million in 2011 and employs approximately 100 people. TCB serves primarily the North American market.

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"The acquisition of TCB is a further cornerstone in our strategy to position Rhein Chemie as a global producer of high-quality bladders," said Rainier van Roessel, Board Member of Lanxess. "We are gaining capacities to serve our growing list of tire customers and we also gain access to bladders for tires of trucks, off-road and agricultural vehicles, as well as building machines."

The purchase of TCB is Lanxess’ third acquisition in the USA within six months. Lanxess acquired, in October last year, the phthalate-free plasticizers company Unitex in Greensboro, North Carolina, and one month later the biocide material protection specialist Verichem in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "North America remains a very important market for specialty chemicals and technology-driven solutions developed by Lanxess," said van Roessel.

Rhein Chemie achieved sales of roughly EUR 280 million in 2010 and employs about 1,000 people worldwide. Founded in 1889, Rhein Chemie is based in Mannheim, Germany, and has production sites in Belgium, USA, Uruguay, Brazil, India, China, Argentina and Japan.

More information: lanxess.com

Lanxess AG, Leverkusen, Germany