Eastman Chemical Acquires Brazilian Manufacturer of Plasticizers

Eastman Chemical Co. said it has acquired Scandiflex do Brasil S.A. Indstrias Qumicas, a manufacturer of plasticizers based in Mau, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Scandiflex plasticizer business and manufacturing capabilities now are part of Eastman's Performance Chemicals and Intermediates (PCI) segment.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With 2010 sales revenue of $54 million, Scandiflex's manufacturing capabilities and customer relationships in Brazil will enable Eastman to accelerate growth of its PCI segment's non-phthalate plasticizer business in the Latin America region, Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical said.

In addition to regional diversification of both sales and manufacturing, Scandiflex also brings several complimentary non-phthalate products to Eastman's portfolio of plasticizer products, the company noted.

"This acquisition is an important next step in our global growth strategy and positions us to grow as demand increases in Latin America for non-phthalate plasticizer products," said Ron Lindsay, Eastman Chemical's executive vice president, performance chemicals and intermediates and fibers.

"I am confident that Scandiflex's strong customer connect and reputation as a reliable supplier in the Latin America market will provide us additional opportunities for future growth in this fast expanding region."