Arkema to Divest PMMA Business to Trinseo

Arkema, King of Prussia, Penn., has announced the proposed divestment of the venerable Plexiglas PMMA business to Trinseo, Berwyn, Penn., the former Dow styrenics business. According to Arkema, the deal is a new step in the Group’s transformation, and is fully in line with Arkema’s ambition to become a pure specialty materials player by 2024, centered only around adhesive solutions, advanced materials, and coating solutions.

Subject to the approval of the relevant antitrust authorities and to an information and consultation process involving Arkema’s employee representative bodies, the deal is expected to be finalized mid-2021.It is also expected to result in greater development opportunities for the PMMA business over the long term. Arkema’s PMMA activity will complement Trinseo’s range of performance plastics (ABS, PC and blends), and strengthen its positions in the automotive, construction and lighting markets.

Arkema’s PMMA activity is an integrated business, from production of methyl methacrylate to polymethyl methacrylate, marketed under the well-known brands Plexiglas on the American continent and Altuglas in the rest of the world. This activity benefits from leading commercial positions with products primarily dedicated to the automotive, construction, signs & displays, and sanitary ware markets. The business employs some 860 people and operates seven production sites—three in North America and four in Europe.