Materials maker A. Schulman Inc. has struck a deal to supply some of its products throughout Africa.
Plastics distribution firm Snetor Chimie of Courbevoie, France, will distribute color and additive masterbatch concentrates in Africa for Fairlawn, Ohio-based Schulman. Commercial activities will be focused on countries and partners that comply with U.S. and EU trade restrictions and laws, Schulman officials said in a July 5 news release.
They added that Africa “has become an attractive continent for investors” because of its average GDP growth of 5 percent and its “improved political situation.
“The partnership … is a strategic move for us and a clear commitment to our African customers,” Schulman executive Heinrich Lingnau said in the release. Lingnau is the firm's senior vice president and general manager for the Europe/Middle East Africa region.
Schulman ranks as one of the largest compounder and concentrate makers in both North America and Europe, as well as one of Europe's largest resin distributors. The firm posted sales of $2.4 billion in its 2015 fiscal year.