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News Releases 2013
April 22, 2013
Acquisition of compound activities of Comtrex, LLC
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Hiroaki Ishizuka), a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (MCHC; Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshimitsu Kobayashi) announced today that it has acquired all of the assets concerning the compounding business of Comtrex, LLC (Comtrex; Head office: Warren, Michigan, U.S.A.; CEO: Wyman Bolton).

This acquisition is in line with the MCHC Group medium-term management plan, APTSIS 15 (FY2011-2015). As one of the ‘growth businesses’ in the portfolio, the performance polymers business has been expanding its manufacturing and sales of thermoplastic elastomers, cross-linked polymers, adhesive polymers, and conductive polymers. The key markets include; automotive, medical, food, and building industries in Asia, North America, and Europe.

Comtrex has been engaged in the PVC compounding business for over 30 years. As the business continued to grow, customers began to request that Comtrex develop a line of vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers (TPV). Comtrex began developing TPV in 2000 and selling this product in 2002. This product line has seen strong growth in recent years.

MCC established Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers, Inc. (MCPP; Head office: Greer, South Carolina; President: Mike Gragtmans) as a business platform in North America in 2005. Since that time, MCPP has been expanding the compounding business with a strategic focus on thermoplastic elastomers and adhesive resins for various applications and industries.

Furthermore, in December 2011, MCPP’s business platform in North America was strengthened further by acquiring all the shares of a previous joint venture for PVC compounds. In November 2012, MCPP acquired the assets of the Bellevue, OH Plant which was the primary manufacturing location for these compounds.

MCC’s acquisition of the Comtrex business will enable an acceleration of the global expansion of the performance polymers business through their global networks.
For further information, please contact
Public Relations and Investor Relations Office,
Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation
Tel: [+81] (0)3-6748-7140

Reference

Overview of resin compound business to acquire
Company name Comtrex, LLC
Location Warren, Michigan, USA
Representative Wyman Bolton
Parent company Cortran Group (100% shareholding)
Sales figures Approximately $ 20 million (2012)
Main business Thermoplastic Elastomer, PVC compounds
Employees Approximately 40 employees
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