Solvay unit buys Ireland plastics pipes maker

02 April 2007 09:07  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--Solvay on Monday said that Pipelife, its 50:50 joint venture with Austria’s Wienerberger, has acquired Ireland’s Quality Plastics, a specialty pipes and fittings producer.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Quality Plastics focuses on “Hot & Cold” water systems for plumbing and heating processed from speciality polymers and complex compounds, said Brussels-based chemicals and plastics producer Solvay.

This makes them suitable for the replacement of metal in many applications, while ensuring a high level of safety and easy installation, it said, adding that they are the fastest-growing segment of the pipes and fittings market in Europe. 

Quality Plastics produces and sells cross-linked polyethylene (PEX), PEX multilayer pipes, PE and polybutylene (PB) pipes, including fittings and accessories.

Pipelife aimed to capitalise on this acquisition and its own network to serve clients with Quality Plastic’s products and technologies throughout Europe.

“Quality Plastics…will reinforce one of Pipelife’s fastest growing product lines - which is Hot & Cold - in addition to giving the group access to the Irish and UK markets,” said Pipelife chief executive officer Miguel Kohlmann.

Quality Plastics operates two factories near Cork, Ireland, and achieved sales of €42m with 174 employees in its latest fiscal year.

Pipelife is active in 29 countries and operates 30 factories with 2,800 employees and posted pro-forma sales of €823m in 2006.

By: Jeanne Lim
+65 6780 4359

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