Teknor Apex expands EU compounding portfolio with acquisition of PTS

Teknor Apex has announced the acquisition of Plastic-Technologie-Service (PTS), a German-based custom compounder of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and engineering thermoplastics (ETPs) for an undisclosed amount.

Teknor Apex says it hopes the deal, which was finalised on 31st March 2015, will expand and enhance its presence in Europe as a compounder of TPEs and ETPs, as well as bringing new products and technologies that diversify its portfolio.

“PTS is well known for innovation and is the European leader in developing ‘hard/soft’ solutions that combine elastomers with rigid polymers,” said Suresh Swaminathan, Senior Vice President in charge of the global TPE business of Teknor Apex. “They will bring to our partnership a range of unique technologies and service capabilities.”

PTS operates a state of the art manufacturing plant at Steinsfeld, Germany with more than 20,000 tonnes of installed capacity, as well as a technical support facility.

The product portfolios of PTS are diverse. TPEs include block copolymers based on a number of polymer chemistries, TPVs, and polymer blends. ETPs include several types of polyamide plus PBT, polycarbonate (PC), and PC / ABS blends. Among its proprietary specialities is a hard/soft technology for over-moulding TPEs onto polar ETP substrates, such as nylon and acetal, and producing a durable bond. Another speciality is radiation-crosslinked grades of ETPs and TPEs.

PTS was founded in 1986 by Uwe Stenglin, who will continue in his role as Managing Director. As a subsidiary of Teknor Apex, PTS will continue to supply products under its existing brands.

“PTS and Teknor Apex have taken similar pathways to success,” said Stenglin. “We look forward to our growth together and to merging our complementary technologies into a more comprehensive global portfolio of products.”