Victrex plc, the Thornton Cleveleys, England-based high performance polymers producer, has acquired Zyex, which makes PEEK-based fiber principally for the aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Terms of the acquisition were not announced.
Zyex has a facility in Gloucestershire, England, where it manufactures for applications such as process belting, filtration or wiring harnesses. The Stonehouse, England-based company has been a long-standing customer of Victrex. The two companies were spun out of ICI, the former UK materials group now owned by Akzo Nobel NV.
“The two companies coming together is a natural evolution. The complementary strengths of Zyex and Victrex will create a world-class supplier of PEEK fibers,” said Victrex in a statement.
Victrex is a producer of PEEK polymer, but in recent years has extended downstream, for example in the production of PEEK pipe and composites. In February, Victrex formed a joint venture with Tri-Mack Plastics Manufacturing Corp. to accelerate commercial adoption of polyketone (PAEK) composite applications in the aerospace industry.
Victrex said: “Beyond opportunities from developing new and existing applications, the investment will also enable Victrex to explore the potential of additive manufacturing within the fibers area, building on the additive manufacturing consortium announced in 2016.”