Lion Copolymer, Omya extend distribution partnership

GEISMER, La.—Several subsidiaries of Omya Inc. have been named distributors of EPDM manufactured by Lion Copolymer L.L.C.

The agreement between the firms, which became effective Sept. 1, was announced Tuesday by Lion Copolymer.

Durr Marketing Associates, Azalea Color Co. and Lipscomb Chemical Co., subsidiaries of Omya, will market EPDM products Royalene and Trilene, manufactured at Lion Copolymer's plant in Geismer, to customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Lion Copolymer said the Omya subsidiaries will market Trilene, a liquid EPDM product, to the coatings industry.

“We see an outstanding fit between Omya's approach to the markets we serve together and expect that this relationship will improve our market position to better serve our customers in North America,” said Jesse Zeringue, president of Lion Copolymer. “Omya has been a valuable distribution partner for Lion in Europe for several years, and we look forward to expanding that relationship in the U.S. and Canada.”

Omya is a worldwide distributor of specialty chemical products. It focuses on industrial applications including automotive, construction and coatings, and life science applications. Omya's distribution network extends from across the U.S.

“We are very excited to extend our relationship with Lion Copolymer, the leader in EPDM products, which are critical to the formulations used by many of our customer,” said Tony Colak, CEO for Omya Region Americas.

Omya also produces industrial minerals—mainly fillers and pigments derived from calcium carbonate and dolomite. The company's major markets are polymers, building materials (paints, coatings, sealants, adhesives and construction) and forest products (fiber based products such as paper, board and tissue), as well as life sciences (food, feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, environment and agriculture).

The company operates 12 distribution storage facilities and has more than 30 sales representatives across the U.S. It has more than 150 locations in over 50 countries, with 8,000 employees.

Lion Copolymer manufactures synthetic rubber used in a wide variety of applications that require heat, ozone and chemical resistance, long-term aging and weathering. Applications include automotive weather seals and hoses, industrial and consumer hoses, weather seals, molded goods, wire and cable insulations, window profiles, roof sheeting, thermoplastic elastomers, conveyor belts, seals, footwear, and printing rolls and viscosity modifiers for lubricants.