BASF sells luranyl polymer business to Romira

BASF has sold its luranyl business in Europe and Asia to Romira GmbH, a maker of engineering plastics in Pinneberg, Germany. Financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Up to now, BASF has produced about 5,000 tonnes of the polymer annually in Germany and Korea. The company will use the freed capacity for other polymers. Production of luranyl will be transferred to Pinneberg.

Luranyl, a blend of polyphenylene ether (PPE) and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), exhibits high heat resistance over a wide range of temperatures and incorporates a halogen-free flame retardant. It is used widely for electrical and electronic applications such as battery chargers, transformers, electrical sockets and switches.

'Products like luranyl allow medium-sized companies like Romira to meet very special customer requirements and complement the offerings of large companies,' said Udo Müller, Romira's managing director. 'In expectation of good sales growth in the coming years we have expanded our site in Pinneberg by some 25,000 square metres.'

Romira GmbH is a member of the Rowa group of companies, which includes Tramaco GmbH and Horst Müller Kunststoffe GmbH & Co. KG.