Eastman Chemical Company announced Friday that it has acquired Scandiflex do Brasil S.A. Indústrias Químicas, a manufacturer of plasticizers located in Mauá, São Paulo, Brazil. The acquired Scandiflex plasticizer business and manufacturing capabilities are now part of Eastman’s Performance Chemicals and Intermediates (PCI) segment. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

With 2010 sales revenue of $54 million, Scandiflex’s manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships in Brazil will enable Eastman to accelerate growth of its PCI segment’s non-phthalate plasticizer business in the Latin America region. In addition to regional diversification of both sales and manufacturing, Scandiflex also brings several complimentary non-phthalate products to Eastman’s broad portfolio of plasticizer products.  

The acquisition is an important next step in Eastman’s global growth strategy and positions the company to grow as demand increases in Latin America for non-phthalate plasticizer products, said Ron Lindsay, executive vice president, performance chemicals and intermediates and fibers.
 
Eastman is confident that Scandiflex’s strong customer connect and reputation as a reliable supplier in the Latin America market will provide it additional opportunities for future growth in this fast expanding region, said Lindsay.

Eastman’s chemicals, fibers and plastics are used as key ingredients in products that people use every day. Approximately 10,000 Eastman employees around the world blend technical expertise and innovation to deliver practical solutions.

The company is committed to finding sustainable business opportunities within the diverse markets and geographies it serves. A global company headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., USA, Eastman had 2010 sales of $5.8 billion.
 
Eastman manufactures the chemicals, fibers and plastics that give everyday products the strength, design and functional characteristics desired by consumers and commercial customers worldwide.

Scandiflex is the only South American company with the most diversified line of polymeric and monomeric plasticizers, including phtalates, adipates, citrates, maleates, sebacates, azelates and trimellitates.

The products are destined to diversified industries such as paints, varnishes, films, calendering, adhesives, wire and cables, toys, packaging, plastics, rubber, textile, plastisoles, products for hospitals and veterinary use and for crop protection.

The plant in Mauá, São Paulo, has installed capacity to produce 20.000 MT/year and is being expanded to 25.000 MT/year. In addition to plasticizers mainly linked to PVC, rubber and its compounds, the company manufactures polyester-polyols and polyurethane systems for shoe soles and other applications, di-esters for lubricants and other specialties which are destined to the local market and to exports.

4th September, 2011