Japanese chemical firm Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation has acquired all of the assets concerning the compounding business of US-based Comtrex. This acquisition is in line with Mitsubishi’s medium-term management plan, it says. As one of the ‘growth businesses’ in the portfolio, the performance polymers business has been expanding its manufacturing and sales of thermoplastic elastomers, crosslinked polymers, adhesive polymers and conductive polymers. The key markets include automotive, medical, food and building industries in Asia, North America and Europe. Comtrex has been engaged in the PVC compounding business for over 30 years. As the business continued to grow, customers began to request that Comtrex develop a line of vulcanised thermoplastic elastomers (TPV). Comtrex began developing TPVs in 2000 and selling this product in 2002. This product line has seen strong growth in recent years.