Ascend Performance Materials has purchased Eurostar Engineering Plastics, a France-based compounder with a broad portfolio of flame-retardant engineered plastics and expertise in halogen-free formulations. Neither company disclosed the cost of the purchase
As a result of the acquisition Ascend, the world’s largest fully integrated producer of polyamide 66 resin, gains a full portfolio of UL yellow card certified flame-retardant, as well as water contact and thermally conductive, engineered plastics. These materials, said the company, play an integral role in e-mobility, as well as in smart appliances, industrial automation and consumer electronics. Eurostar’s experience in compounded polyamides is a good fit with Ascend’s own portfolio and manufacturing capabilities, said John Saunders, Ascend’s vice president for Europe.
This latest acquisition indicates that the Texas-based company is following through on its strategy to expand and grow its presence internationally.
The company made its first overseas acquisition in 2018, with the purchase of Britannia Techno Polymer (BTP), an engineering plastics compounder based in the Netherlands. Last year, Ascend acquired the Italian firms Poliblend and Esseti Plast, as well as a compounding facility in China, expanding its portfolio into other engineered plastics, recycled resins and masterbatches.
“We are following through on our strategy of becoming a more global, diversified and reliable supplier to our customers,” said Phil McDivitt, Ascend’s president and CEO. “While the past 10 months have been challenging, we have remained focused on providing our customers with the solutions and support they need to continue growing.”
Ascend also continues to develop its highly relevant Acteev technology, which attacks and deactivates microbes in fabrics and engineered plastics. Lab tests have found Acteev to be more than 99 percent effective against viruses, including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, officials said.
Ascend is working to gain approval for Acteev from FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency. During a 4 Jan. interview with Frank Esposito, of Plastics News, McDivitt said that the firm hopes to have those approvals by the end of the first quarter. Ascend made its first submission to FDA in June for clearance to market Acteev technology in the U.S. in a surgical mask.
Acteev technology has been tested in multiple end forms, including knit and woven fabrics; engineered plastics; and nanofiber, meltblown and spunbond nonwoven materials.
McDivitt said the firm already has made and sold 600,000 masks with Acteev nylon fiber and has more than 100 companies lined up to use the technology after approvals are received.