Thermoset resins and additives maker AOC LLC has acquired a plant making unsaturated polyester resins in the Czech Republic.
The plant is in Usti nad Labem. AOC of Collierville, Tenn., is acquiring the plant from two Czech firms: Spolek pro chemickou a hutní výrobu, a.s. (Splochemie), which operates the plant, and investment firm Kaprain Industrial Holding Ltd.
Spolchemie has made materials for AOC at the plant on a contract basis for several years, officials said in an Oct. 15 news release.
Officials added that the acquisition will allow AOC to further improve service and logistics to its customers in Central and Eastern Europe as well as in Germany. It also will allow the firm to make new products — such as those based on recycled PET — available for customers around Europe.
The plant has production equipment for unsaturated polyesters and also has unique capabilities for making green resins based on recycled PET, officials said. CEO Joe Salley added that the acquisition "enables us to ensure continued competitiveness in the region."
"The acquisition proves our commitment to this industry, helping us and our customers to build even stronger relationships through supply security and continued technical collaboration," he said.
The Czech deal is the second this year for AOC. In February, the firm acquired the maleic anhydride business of Ashland Global Holdings. That deal included a manufacturing plant in Neal, W. Va. Maleic anhydride is a feedstock used to make unsaturated polyesters.
AOC makes unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins, gel coats, colorants and specialty additives at six manufacturing sites in North America. The firm's key markets are automotive, marine, corrosion protection, construction and infrastructure.
In 2018, AOC was acquired by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners of Luxembourg. CVC already was part owner of Aliancys, a European thermosets maker similar to AOC.