Dutch firm DSM and US chemicals maker Ascend Performance Materials have formed a global strategic alliance for the supply of compounds based on polyamide 66 (PA66). Under the agreement, Ascend becomes the strategic supplier to DSM for PA66 base-polymer used as raw material for its Akulon PA66 compounds for engineering plastics applications. In addition, DSM will distribute Ascend's portfolio of PA66 compounds sold under the brand name Vydyne.

The companies made the joint announcement at Chinaplas 2015.

“Our alliance combines the best of both companies; high quality products with security of supply and excellent application support when and where it is needed,” says Roelof Westerbeek, President DSM Engineering Plastics. “Customers all around the world now have access to a full portfolio of Akulon PA66 compounds and Vydyne PA66, together with enhanced application development and innovation capabilities from both Ascend and DSM.”

DSM is already a major developer and global supplier of polyamide engineering plastics, with a portfolio that covers not only Akulon PA6 and PA66, but also several other high performance polyamides such as Stanyl PA46, Stanyl ForTii, and EcoPaXX, a biobased polyamide that is certified carbon neutral from cradle to gate. Next to that, DSM supplies thermoplastic polyesters (Arnite PBT and PET, and Arnitel TPE for engineering applications). With the new scale and capability in PA66, DSM strengthens its portfolio to offer complete solutions for its customers.

Ascend Performance Materials is one of the largest producers of PA66 resin in the world, with full backward integration into the key chemical intermediates – adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, and adipic acid. Ascend is focused on growth in engineered plastics applications through its Vydyne PA66 resin and compounds.

With this agreement, Ascend plans to accelerate its growth trajectory with significantly greater access to customers around the world. Ascend produces PA66 resin in Pensacola, FL (the largest integrated PA66 site in the world, where it recently added 30,000 tonnes of compounding capability) and in Greenwood, SC.