Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Dow Polyurethanes to Acquire Hyperlast UK and Autothane

Dow Polyurethanes, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, today announced that it plans to acquire Hyperlast Limited, a leading United Kingdom polyurethanes elastomers systems business, and Autothane†Limited, a leading manufacturer of advanced automotive suspension components, pending regulatory approval.

"The decision to further expand our Polyurethane (PU) Systems' capabilities in Europe supports Dow's strategy to grow our differentiated, customer-intimate Performance businesses, which can sustain value throughout the business cycle," said Pat Dawson, vice president for Dow Polyurethanes. "From a Polyurethanes business perspective, our acquisition of Hyperlast UK and Autothane is further proof of our continued commitment to preferentially invest in and grow our PU System business by delivering tailor-made solutions to our customers through expanding our technology offerings."

Hyperlast UK and Autothane Limited, subsidiaries of British Vita, specialize in the development of innovative polyurethane elastomers for the marine, engineering resins, oil and gas pipelines, and automotive industries.

Dow PU Systems is a leading global polyurethanes solutions provider, with 26 facilities located across Europe, Asia, Middle East, North and Latin America, where it develops high-performance, differentiated polyurethanes system solutions for customers in a broad range of industries. Dow is also a leading producer of PO/PG, MDI, TDI and polyols, the raw materials used in the production of polyurethane systems, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers, as well as rigid and flexible foam.

"By combining Dow’s raw material integration, expansive geographic network and more than 50 years of experience in polyurethane chemistry with Hyperlast's and Autothane's expertise in spray and cast elastomers, we further strengthen and accelerate our ability to provide innovative systems solutions to our customers globally," said Juan Antonio Merino, global general manager for Dow Polyurethane Systems.

No further details related to the transaction were disclosed.

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