Arkema plans to acquire Repsol YPF’s PMMA business

Arkema announces the planned acquisition of the PMMA sheet and block production activity from the Repsol YPF group.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paris - 19 December 2007

According to Christophe de Saint Louvent, Group President of Arkema’s PMMA and Methacrylics business, “this acquisition represents an excellent growth opportunity in a segment in which Altuglas International enjoys real expertise. It will allow us to boost our leading position in PMMA sheet in Europe".

Repsol YPF’s PMMA sheet and block business currently operates from manufacturing sites in Bronderslev, Denmark, and Polivar, Italy. It employs 125 people, and achieves annual sales of around € 30 M.

This acquisition project marks a further step in Arkema’s transformation drive, in particular through its dynamic portfolio management.

Altuglas^® acrylic sheet is marketed essentially for visual communication, sanitaryware, construction, and urban equipment.
 
Altuglas International, an Arkema subsidiary, markets 20% of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) world production in the form of acrylic sheet and resin. In this sector, the company operates eight production sites around the world. Its trademarks are Plexiglas^® in the Americas and Altuglas^® in the rest of the world.

A global chemical player, Arkema consists of 3 coherent and related business segments: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Present in over 40 countries with 17,000 employees, Arkema achieves sales of 5.7 billion euros. With its 6 research centers in France, the United States and Japan, and internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.

Sybille Chaix - Tél. : +33 1 49 00 70 30 - E-mail : sybille.chaix@arkema.com