Rhein Chemie takes over two product lines from Flexsys: Acquisitions strengthen expertise in accelerators and predispersed fibers

Mannheim – Rhein Chemie Rheinau GmbH is expanding its product portfolio through the acquisition of two businesses from Flexsys America L.P., a subsidiary of Solutia Inc. based in St. Louis, Missouri. Rhein Chemie is taking over the Vocol and Santoweb product lines including customer lists, tolling agreements and know-how. Employees of Flexsys are not part of the transaction. The transaction is effective immediately. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“Acquiring the two product lines Vocol and Santoweb strengthens our expertise in high-quality dithiophosphate accelerators and pre-dispersed polymer-bound fibers. This enables us to specifically expand our service spectrum for rubber processors,” said Dr. Anno Borkowsky, CEO of Rhein Chemie.

 Vocol is especially suited to substitute physiologically harmful accelerator systems. Owing to its chemical composition, Vocol generates an extremely stable rubber network during vulcanization. This property is particularly beneficial for thick-walled rubber articles such as solid rubber tires or fenders (for example to protect the outer skin of a ship) because this counters the reversion of the rubber network typical of protracted vulcanization times. 

 The Santoweb product range comprises pre-dispersed polymer-bound cellulose fiber batches used, for example, as reinforcement materials in the manufacture of drive belts and conveyor belts. Predispersion leads to a high inherent strength, which is transferred to the components. With these new products Rhein Chemie is expanding its portfolio of predispersed fiber additives. Rhein Chemie already has many years of experience with predispersed polymer-bound aramid fibers, which are suitable for all applications in which rubber parts have to withstand extreme loads such as high dynamic and thermal stress. 

Solutia's Flexsys product portfolio is part of the company’s Technical Specialties division, offering advanced chemical and specialty products for the rubber and tire industry. Solutia has annual revenue of USD 2 billion and operates globally with approximately 3,300 employees in more than 50 worldwide locations.

Rhein Chemie, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the specialty chemicals company LANXESS, supplies the rubber industry with a broad range of predispersed polymer-bound chemicals, processing promoters, vulcanization and filler activators, anti-sun check waxes, release agents, tire marking inks and high-performance bladders.

About Rhein Chemie:
Rhein Chemie develops, produces and sells additives, specialty chemicals and service products for the rubber, lubricant and plastics industries. In fiscal 2010 Rhein Chemie achieved sales of EUR 283 million and has approximately 1,000 employees worldwide. The company is headquartered in Mannheim, Germany and has production facilities in Europe, Asia and North and South America. Rhein Chemie is a wholly owned subsidiary of the specialty chemicals group LANXESS, Leverkusen, Germany.

(Source: Rhein Chemie)