Celanese to acquire Nilit Plastics’s nylon compounding business

US materials company Celanese Corporation and Nilit, a major independent producer of high performance nylon polymers, fibres and compounds, have signed a definitive agreement for Celanese to acquire Nilit Plastics, the nylon compounding division of Nilit. Celanese will acquire Nilit Plastics’ nylon compounding product portfolio as well as customer agreements and manufacturing, technology and commercial facilities. Nilit will retain ownership of the nylon fibres and nylon polymerisation businesses worldwide, including facilities in Israel, the US, China, and Brazil. Financial details of the transaction are not being disclosed at this time.

“Nylon compounds continue to be a material of choice in automotive, E&E, consumer and industrial applications, and this acquisition delivers on Celanese’s intention to complement its broad portfolio by becoming a leading, global nylon compound supplier,” said Scott Sutton, Celanese executive vice president and president of Materials Solutions. “Celanese will extend its global leadership position in the engineered materials business with the acquisition of Nilit Plastics as nylon continues to be adopted in growth industries where Celanese is already focusing significant product, solution and customer-focused development activities.”

“The nylon product portfolio of Nilit Plastics is one of the broadest in the market for polyamide compounds. This breadth is matched by the company’s expertise in compounds based on polyamides and an in-depth knowledge of target markets and applications,” said Ilan Melamed, managing director of Nilit Plastics.

Celanese expects to integrate Nilit Plastics’ nylon compounding product portfolio and production capabilities into the Celanese engineered materials business to include the following registered brands:

Nilit Plastics makes compounds based on polyamide 6 and 6,6 (PA6 / PA66) as well as different types of partially aromatic polyamides, including polyphthalamide (PPA). The division is dedicated to high quality specialties and has developed more than 3,000 different formulations in the last 40 years. Many of these compounds have been certified by independent authorities and more than 85 compounds are UL and VDE listed for flammability and electrical performances. Nilit Plastics has compounding production facilities in Europe and China.

The parties expect to complete the transaction in the second quarter of 2017, pending customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Until closing, Celanese and Nilit Plastics will continue to operate as independent businesses.

(PRA)