Celanese to acquire Softer Group

US-based speciality materials Company Celanese Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Forli, Italy-based SO.F.TER. Group, one of the world’s largest independent thermoplastic compounders. Celanese will acquire SO.F.TER. Group’s comprehensive product portfolio of engineering thermoplastics (ETPs), thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), as well as all customer agreements and all manufacturing, technology and commercial facilities.

The acquisition will nearly double the number of Celanese global engineered materials product platforms and further extend Celanese’s world class leadership model, solutions capability and project pipeline. Additionally, SO.F.TER. Group’s sophisticated and modern manufacturing facilities and product portfolio will provide a vehicle for additional growth, investment and synergies.

“This is the next step in the evolution of Celanese to extend our global leadership position in the engineered materials market,” said Scott Sutton, Celanese executive vice president and president of Materials Solutions. “SO.F.TER. Group is a leader in the design, development and production of ETPs and TPEs with a fast and flexible customer-oriented business model that will integrate well within the Materials Solutions core of Celanese. This acquisition continues Celanese’s focus on bringing technical expertise, production and compounding capabilities closer to our valued customers by extending our footprint with industry leading products and capabilities in Italy, Mexico, Brazil and the United States.”

“Joining Celanese is a natural continuation of the SO.F.TER. Group success story of growth, customer innovation and application expertise,” said Italo Carfagnini, chairman of the board of directors, SO.F.TER. Group. “From our beginnings in Italy in 1980 to being a key part of the Celanese engineered materials business, we will continue to drive innovative and highly specialized solutions for customers. We look forward to the future with Celanese, not only for our customers but also for our dedicated and talented employees.”