Clariant intends to acquire Indian masterbatch producer

Muttenz, December 16, 2013 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced the intention to acquire Plastichemix Industries, a masterbatch business in India, located in Vadodara with production facilities in Rania, Kalol and Nandesari in Gujarat (India). Plastichemix Industries is a leading supplier of black, white, filler and colour masterbatches, additive masterbatches, flushed pigments and mono-concentrates as well as engineering plastics compounds.

With this acquisition, Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited (CCIL) gains a leading position in the masterbatches business in India. The deal enables the company to offer a strong and extensive product portfolio with customized products and solutions and to expand its customer base significantly. As part of the future business approach an upgraded Technical Service Laboratory will be introduced to offer the market highly innovative and customized products.

"This acquisition is part of our global strategy to explore business opportunities in our Masterbatches business and to focus on emerging markets like India. The strong growth perspective of the plastics industry results in a bright future for the masterbatches business in India”, says Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant.

Hans Bohnen, Head of Clariant’s Business Unit (BU) Masterbatches, explains: “Clariant and Plastichemix Industries have a complementary product portfolio that will enable us to cater to a larger customer base. This synergy will help us to develop our business. We aspire to double our sales in the next five years. The global set-up of the BU Masterbatches will allow the exports of Plastichemix Industries to grow even stronger and to give products like highly loaded and very well dispersed single pigment concentrates a global platform.”

Clariant‘s BU Masterbatches, with more than 50 manufacturing plants around the world, is a recognized global leader in color and additive concentrates and performance solutions for plastics.