Bayer MaterialScience buys Arkema’s PC sheet business

Polymers and high-performance plastic maker Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) is buying the polycarbonate sheet business of Arkema Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of the French firm Arkema Group.

The terms of the deal are not being disclosed.

According to BMS, the transaction includes the acquisition of Arkema’s Tuffak brand, which is used in such markets as aerospace, transportation and heavy equipment.

“The addition of the well-known Tuffak business will further strengthen our quality leadershipposition in the growing North American polycarbonate sheet market,” said Thomas Karl Kastner, global head of BMS’ sheet business. “We plan to quickly integrate the Arkema, Inc. sheet business into our portfolio in order to provide our customers with an enhanced portfolio of industry leading polycarbonate sheet products. This acquisition will support our strategic initiative to establish polycarbonate sheet as the product of choice in the security glazing, mass transportation and signage markets.”

The purchase doesn’t include any facilities. Instead, all of the equipment used to make the product lines will be moved to one of BMS’ sheet facilities.

Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., BMS is part of the global Bayer MaterialScience business with approximately 14,800 employees at 30 production sites around the world. The company’s 2011 sales in North America were US$2.9 billion.