Proposed agreement between Arkema and Sumitomo Seika in Superabsorbents
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Arkema presented to the Central Works Council a proposed agreement with Japanese company Sumitomo Seika for the sale to Sumitomo Seika of its business in superabsorbent polymers which will be toll-manufactured by Arkema on its Carling industrial site.
With a total capacity of 140,000 tons per year, Sumitomo Seika ranks among the main superabsorbent polymer (SAP) players. Arkema has a single production plant, in Carling (France / Moselle), with a 15,000 ton/year capacity, generating annual sales of around EUR20m.
The proposed agreement includes a long-term contract for the supply of acrylic acid produced on the Carling site. It should therefore help consolidate Arkema's Acrylics business by bolstering a direct downstream activity. The deal, which should become effective on April 1st 2008, is subject to the legal information and consultation procedure with the Arkema France works council.