GE Silicones buys Calif.-based compounder

WATERFORD, N.Y.(April 9)—GE Silicones and its custom elastomers business, American Silicones Inc., purchased the silicone rubber custom compounding assets of Performance Processing Co., a division of West American Rubber Co.. Orange, Calif.-based Performance Processing Company will be integrated with ASI, making GE Silicones a "more versatile and capable supplier for manufacturers using custom silicone rubber materials," ASI President Tom Lapsley said. The deal also strengthens GE Silicones´ West Coast presence, where Lapsley said there is growing demand for speciality and high performance elastomers.