Page 45 - Plastics News December 2022

BUSINESS NEWS

Röhm Complements Plexiglas Acrylic Business with Yamaha developing
Lexan PC Sheet Acquisition from Sabic plant-based resin
leading global manufactur-
er offering a broad port-
folio of PC film and sheet
products, predominantly
marketed through the
globally recognized Lexan
brand. Functional Forms
has an extensive global
presence with about 700 Yamaha Marine is committing
crylic sheet leader Röhm has employees, operations to using a plant-derived cel-
Aagreed to acquire the Functional in 19 countries, and through various lulose nanofiber (CNF) rein-
Forms business of Sabic, subject to production sites strategically located forced resin in the production
customary consultation with the re- across all continents. of specific watercraft parts.
spective works councils and approval The new combined business will have The CNF reinforced resin, de-
of the antitrust authorities. Röhm sales of more than €700 million, com- veloped through a collabora-
thereby will add polycarbonate (PC) mand a strong operational global foot- tive agreement between Yama-
sheets and films to its existing range print across 14 production sites, and ha Motor in Japan and Nippon
of acrylic (PMMA) sheets and films, benefit from its complementary ac- Paper Industries Corporation,
further expanding its position as a tivities in similar but distinct markets. Ltd. This represents what ap-
value-added partner for its customers Röhm and Sabic’s Functional Forms pears to be one of the world’s
across a wide range of applications. business both manufacture high-qual- first practical use of sustainable
“We are very excited to have found ity sheet and film products that are material for watercraft parts,
a strong partner with whom we can used across a variety of industries, according to the companies.
grow together,” explains Röhm CEO ranging from building and construc- he parts developed using this
Michael Pack. “By adding the Poly- tion, consumer electronics, and medi- Tmaterial are intended for in-
carbonate Resin extrusion business cal to aviation. stallation on certain 2024 models
to our portfolio, we will sustainably The acquisition is a key cornerstone of personal watercraft and sport
strengthen our competitiveness in our of Röhm’s strategy to develop its boat engines.
sheets and films business. With the transparent semi-finished products Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha
combined competencies — in sales business into a leading global multi- U.S. Marine Business Unit said:
and in the development of materials, polymer company. The strong Lexan “We’re proud to be part of a com-
products, and applications — we will brand is an ideal complement to the pany that proactively seeks sus-
become a better business partner for acrylic glass brand Plexiglas (marketed tainability solutions for its prod-
our customers.” in the Americas under the registered ucts, Yamaha Motor has inspired
Ronald Ayles, Managing Partner at trademark Acrylite). the activities of Yamaha U.S. Ma-
Röhm’s owner Advent International, Consultation with applicable works rine Business Unit and applauded
adds: “This is a unique opportunity for councils and unions in Europe is ex- the 2019 launch of Yamaha Right-
Röhm to build a global leader in this pected to be finalized in the coming waters, our sustainability program
attractive segment and we are very months. Subject to regulatory approv- that seeks to reclaim, mitigate and
happy to be able to back our portfolio als, and completion of the carve-out clean up the plastics we use, in-
company in executing this transform- of the business from the rest of Sabic’s crease scientific research, improve
ative acquisition.” operations, the transaction is expect- habitat and sequester carbon diox-
The Functional Forms business is a ed to close in the first half of 2024. ide.”

December 2022 PLASTICS NEWS 45