Elkem acquires new plant in France to accelerate growth in specialised silicones
Elkem has signed an agreement to acquire a brand-new plant near Lyon in France, custom-designed for producing highly specialised organo-functional silicones (OFS). The acquisition underpins Elkem’s strategy of growth and specialisation.
The purchase price is in the low double-digit millions of euros, and production is expected by the end of the year.
“With this acquisition, Elkem continues to deliver on our growth and specialisation strategy. This new plant will enable us to more quickly extend our offerings within advanced high value products for attractive specialty markets, further strengthening our position as one of the world’s leaders in fully integrated silicone manufacturing," says Michael Koenig, CEO of Elkem.
Organo-functional silicones combine the superior performance of silicones with the functionality, compatibility and potential reactivity of organic materials. The processing is advanced and gives OFS products with highly specialised properties.
“Elkem already has a broad global offering of advanced silicone solutions, ranging from commodities to specialties. We have recently complemented our portfolio of specialties with the acquisitions of Polysil and Basel Chemie. The acquisition of this new OFS plant provides the technology and capacity to further accelerate our growth, particularly within release coatings, personal care and other specialty markets. It is a good example of how we position for the future, in a complex market environment”, says Frederic Jacquin, SVP Elkem Silicones.
The OFS plant is located near Elkem Silicones’ existing activities south of Lyon, including both the upstream plant in Roussillon as well as the production site and R&D center in Saint-Fons.
“This acquisition reinforces Elkem’s solid footprint in France. The new production capacity is in line with our strong commitment to support our development in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region,” says Bertrand Mollet, EMEA Region Director Elkem Silicones.
Laurent Leservoisier, Elkem Silicones
General Counsel & Communication Director
+ (33) 4 72 13 19 00
laurent.leservoisier@elkem.com
About Elkem ASA
Founded in 1904, Elkem is one of the world's leading suppliers of silicon-based advanced materials with operations throughout the value chain from quartz to specialty silicones, as well as attractive market positions in specialty ferrosilicon alloys and carbon materials. Elkem is a publicly listed company on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker code: ELK) and is headquartered in Oslo. The company has more than 6,700 employees with 32 production sites and an extensive network of sales offices worldwide. In 2019 Elkem had revenues of NOK 22.7 billion. To learn more, please visit www.elkem.com
About Elkem Silicones
Elkem Silicones has more than 4000 employees dedicated to providing silicone solutions with a personal touch that deliver your potential. Elkem Silicones, a division of Elkem, is a global leader in fully integrated silicone manufacturing, operating 14 multi-functional manufacturing sites and 13 R&D centers around the globe. Headquartered in Lyon, France, Elkem Silicones offers a full range of silicone technologies for diverse specialty markets including aerospace, automotive, construction, consumer goods, energy, healthcare, paper, personal care and textiles. www.elkem.com/silicones