Arkema expands Bostik U.S. adhesives business with Edge Adhesives Texas acquisition

Bostik (Colombes, France), Arkema’s (Colombes) Adhesive Solutions segment, has expanded its U.S. offerings in high-performance adhesives with the planned acquisition of Edge Adhesives Texas (Fort Worth), a complementary asset in hot-melt adhesives and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes for residential construction. According to Arkema, this new adhesives line can be used for fiber-reinforced films and glass fiber mats, although they are not applicable to manufacture prepreg. This project is in line with Arkema’s strategy of bolt-on acquisitions to develop greater breadth in adhesives and deliver new products to meet expanding demand.

Edge Adhesives Texas is a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative adhesive solutions used in residential buildings with reportedly annual sales of around $12 million. The company, which operates a plant in Fort Worth, Texas, has approximately 50 employees and specializes in custom formulations in fast-growing easy-install window, door and roofing applications.

Arkema itself is involved delivering composite solutions to the construction market. The company notes its innovative platform, “Home efficiency and isolation,” which focuses its R&D on materials and solutions for sustainable construction. Projects are also conducted to respond to the UN’s sustainable development goal, in particular SDG 11 to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”

Arkema is also a strategic member of a partnership for a project involving the development of factory-manufactured modular construction using prefabricated composites and the company’s thermoplastic liquid resin, Elium. Elium thermoplastic resin, a product of Arkema’s research, was selected for its combination of technical performance with polymer recyclability. Reinforced with glass fibers, this resin has mechanical characteristics that comply with construction normative requirements; it is also weatherproof, resistant to UV radiation and fire resistant. In comparison to other resins used in composites, Arkema says it is 100% recyclable (see “Arkema's partnership with ZEBRA project commits to circular economy”). Thus, at the end of their life, the composite elements can be recycled either mechanically or chemically.

In addition to delivering strong technological, industrial and commercial synergies, its acquisition of Edge Adhesives Texas will enable Bostik to offer its customers an extended range of value-added and sustainable solutions in hot-melt pressure sensitive adhesives.

The deal is expected to close in Q2 2021.