Sumitomo Chemical Co. (Tokyo, Japan; www.sumitomo-chem.co.jp) has acquired Emas Plastik A.S. and its affiliated companies (the Emas Group), a major plastic compounder group in Turkey through Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe Ltd., a Sumitomo Chemicals subsidiary, to further advance the global development of its polypropylene (PP) compound business. Sumitomo Chemical has made the Emas Group its consolidated subsidiaries.
PP compounds are high-performance materials made by kneading fillers like synthetic rubber, glass fibers, or inorganic fillers into PP to improve such parameters as impact resistance or stiffness according to target applications, such as automobile bumpers, interior components, or casing for white goods appliances. Turkey is a major production base for exporting to Europe for many manufacturers of automobiles and white goods appliances. The demand for PP compounds in Turkey is expected to continue to grow solidly in the years to come.
The Emas Group has one of the largest production capacities for PP compounds in Turkey. In addition, it is the top seller of recycled PP compounds in Turkey, with its strength in procuring post-industrial plastic. Through this acquisition, Sumitomo Chemical will enhance its network of production and marketing to automobile and white goods appliance manufacturers in Turkey, and will respond to the rising demand for products made from recycled materials in Europe, where environmental consciousness is very high.
Sumitomo Chemical will continue to work on further expanding its business through enhancing its global network of production and marketing of PP compounds to respond more speedily to customer needs.
