Adding to its high-performance materials catalog, Reading, Pa.-based DSM Engineering Plastics Products North America has acquired BP Amoco plc's Torlon polyamide-imide compression molding assets. DSM EPP is in the process of moving the BP Amoco Amotech Performance Plastics Inc. assets to Reading from BP Amoco's Engineering Polymers & Carbon Fibers business unit in Alpharetta, Ga.
Terms were not disclosed. DSM already had been the primary producer and marketer of Torlon stock shapes in extruded rod and plate forms.
In addition, DSM EPP is moving Alpha Precision Plastics Inc. from Houston to Reading. DSM EPP had bought Alpha Precision in 1996.
Alpha had only a "handful of people," said a DSM EPP spokesman. Some already have made the move to Reading. DSM expects to complete the transfers by May 1.
"This move signals the beginning of what we expect to be a series of similar moves toward accelerating the growth of our company," Glen Steady, president of DSM EPP, said in a news release.
Alpha's capabilities allowed DSM to develop new materials used for precision components in the semiconductor, oil-drilling and refining industries.
Torlon products are a major part of DSM EPP's line of engineering plastic shapes, which range from acetal and nylon to ultrahigh-performance polyimides that resist temperatures of 500§ F and above.
DSM EPP, formerly known as Polymer Corp., is part of DSM Performance Materials Group. The unit claims to be the world's largest producer of engineering plastic machining stock. DSM EPP's products are used mainly for bearing and wear-resistant components in industries ranging from electronics to packaging equipment.
