Arkema recently announced the proposed acquisition by the Bostik-Nitta joint-venture of the industrial adhesives of Nitta-Gelatin Inc., as well as the construction of a new world-scale adhesives plant in Japan. These operations intend to allow Bostik to supply its Japanese customers in the nonwovens markets for hygiene applications, as well as in the packaging, labelling, transportation, and electronics industrial markets.

The Bostik-Nitta joint venture, majority-owned by Bostik, intends to strengthen its adhesives business in the Japanese market with two projects:

• The proposed acquisition by the Bostik-Nitta JV of Nitta-Gelatin Inc.’s industrial adhesives. This acquisition, representing sales of some €30 million (approximately $35.4 million), will reportedly help step up the development of these activities in fast-growing markets such as electronics and automotive. The acquisition is due to be completed this summer; and
• The construction by the Bostik-Nitta joint venture of a new adhesives plant in Nara. The joint venture will also reportedly invest in the construction of a new world-scale plant that will include several production lines dedicated on the one hand to adhesives for the nonwoven market for hygiene applications, and on the other to the industrial adhesives markets. The new facility, to be located in Nara, Japan, is expected come on stream early 2020.

With this operation, Arkema is actively pursuing its strategy to develop its adhesives, which reportedly represent one of the major drivers of its long-term growth.