Sumitomo Chemical expands PP compounding with acquisition of Turkish firm

Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical has acquired Emas Plastik and its affiliated companies (Emas Group), a major plastic compounder group in Turkey through Sumika Polymer Compounds Europe, a Sumitomo Chemical’s subsidiary, to further advance the global development of its polypropylene (PP) compound business. Sumitomo Chemical has made the Emas Group its consolidated subsidiaries.

Turkey is a major production base for exporting to Europe for many manufacturers of automobiles and white goods appliances. Their demand for PP compounds in Turkey is expected to continue to grow solidly in the years to come.

The Emas Group has one of the largest production capacities for PP compounds in Turkey. It was founded in 1978 by the Alkan family and owns the three businesses of Almen in Gemlik, northwestern Turkey; Akce Plastik in the Izmir southwestern region; and Emaş Plastik in Bursa.

In addition, it is the top seller of recycled PP compounds in Turkey, with its strength in procuring post-industrial plastic. Through this acquisition, Sumitomo Chemical says it will enhance its network of production and marketing to automobile and white goods appliance manufacturers in Turkey, and will respond to the rising demand for products made from recycled materials in Europe, where environmental consciousness is very high.

Sumitomo Chemical says it will increase its global compounding sites to 14, with the new acquisition. Sumika will also increase its production capacity to 140,000 tonnes/year.