Dutch-based Acordis sells German membranes unit to Polypore

01 March 2002 15:11  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--Dutch-based fibres group Acordis announced on Friday it has sold its German membranes subsidiary Membrana to US-based Polypore, a leading maker and supplier of microporous membranes in the energy storage and separator markets.

An Acordis spokesman told CNI this represents the best option for the future of Membrana.

Neither Membrana nor Polypore would disclose financial details of the transaction. However, a spokesman for Membrana said his company had a turnover of around $100m (Euro114m) and employed about 850 people.

Membrana has two manufacturing plants, located in Wuppertal and Obernburg, both in Germany. It manufactures high performance membranes for medical applications such as haemodialysis, oxygenation and plasma separation; technical products for water filtration and the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, semiconductor and environment technology industries; and carriers for liquid or low melting polymer additives.

Privately-owned Polypore said the Membrana acquisition will enhance its position as the world's largest supplier of microporous membranes for medical applications. It said the deal would also boost its role as a major supplier of membrane products to the semiconductor, power, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and photographic markets.

A spokesman for Polypore said his company employs over 1150 people and has a turnover of approximately $300m. He said the acquisition would help broaden Polypore's portfolio in the healthcare and industrial sectors. Although Polypore has a production plant in Hamburg, Germany, there are no plans to close or consolidate operations, he added.

By: Russell Ong
+44 208 652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly