Elastomers "not affected" by DSM restructuring

GELEEN, The Netherlands (Sept. 29)—DSM Elastomers is not affected by its parent group´s plans to transform itself into a life sciences and performance materials company, according to a DSM spokesman. "As part of our performance materials business, [DSM Elastomers] is not included in the business groups we want to separate. It is one of the activities that we are very strong in and is not affected by this strategic move," the spokesman said. In fact, the company currently is studying a capacity expansion for its EDPM facility in Geleen, he added. DSM announced Sept. 28 that advanced chemical and biotechnological products and performance materials will account for at least 80 percent of its sales within five years. At present, these businesses represent just 50 percent of group sales. To facilitate the strategy, DSM is to seek a global industrial partner for its petrochemicals businesses—hydrocarbons, polyethylenes and polypropylenes—which include major facilities at Geleen and Gelsenkirchen, Germany.