MALMO, Sweden—Hexpol A.B. has completed the $57-million acquisition of Spanish rubber compounder Unión de Industrias CA (Unica) from private equity firm Espiga Capital.
The acquisition was first reported in mid-April and follows the $35.5-million takeover of wire and cable compounder Vicom in early March.
Based in Corella, Navarra, Unica operates one compounding facility, employs 80 people and had a turnover of $47 million in 2020. Operational since 1958, Unica has five mixing lines, using both intermix and tangential technologies. One mixing line is exclusively dedicated to color mixtures.
According to Hexpol, the Spanish compounder is "a significant player" in the country, supplying to "several demanding customers in the automotive, construction and agriculture sectors."
"Through the acquisition of Unica, we will strengthen our position in rubber compounds for demanding customers in Spain and other EU countries," said Ralph Wolkener and Carsten Rüter, presidents of Hexpol Compounding Europe/Asia.
Unica "a perfect complement" to Hexpol's existing operations in Spain, which are mainly active in other sectors.
Unica has made significant investments in equipment and technology in recent years and is "well positioned to support the transforming automotive market in southern Europe," Hexpol said.
Hexpol also operates another compounding unit in Barcelona which supplies to the construction industry. Unica mainly supplies to the automotive industry.