Bayer MaterialScience buys Thermoplast Composite in Germany

In a bid to expand its position in the composite materials market, Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) has acquired Germany-based Thermoplast Composite GmbH (TCG), a composite materials supplier specialising in the production of thermoplastic fibre composites.
BMS said it will use the acquisition to expand its range of products for important industries and thereby strengthen its leading position.

All TCG employees are to be retained, and BMS plans to expand TCG’s production capacity, the first step being to expand production in the Nuremberg, Germany region. Capacities in other regions will be added subsequently to optimally supply customers, BMS said.

Bayer MaterialScience is already active in the development and marketing of composite solutions based on polyurethane systems. “We are seeing significant demand and growth opportunities for composites made from thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate,” said Dr Markus Steilemann, a member of BMS’ executive committee and head of the polycarbonates business unit. “By getting into the development and production of the corresponding composites, we want to become one of the driving forces in this industry. We expect promising opportunities above all in the IT, automotive and transportation industries, as well as in consumer goods, which would further strengthen our position.”

TCG was established in 2007 and currently has twelve employees. In addition to performance fibre composites with a thermoplastic matrix, the company also specializes in ultra-lightweight foams and engineering services.

The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.