Alphacan, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group, announces a plan to divest its pipes business in France to Pipelife France, a subsidiary of the Pipelife Group.
Alphacan, a major player in PVC converting in Europe, produces PVC pipes in France for the building and infrastructure markets.
This building and infrastructure pipe activity in France represents annual sales of some €45m, and involves the design, production and marketing of PVC pipes used for sanitation and drinking water underground networks as well as for soil and waste systems in buildings. The pipe business has its manufacturing base in Gaillon (France - Eure), and employs around 100 persons.
« By divesting this activity, Alphacan is committed to pursuing its strategy to focus its business on PVC Profiles in France in order to develop its higher added value specialty activities », states Jean-Luc Béal, Alphacan Managing Director.
This project is part of Arkema’s strategy to further strengthen the competitiveness and consolidate its Vinyl Products business segment.
It follows on from the project to extend production capacity for PVC Profiles through conversion of the PVC pipe plant in Gaillac (France - Tarn).
The operation is subject to the legal information and consultation process involving personnel representative bodies of Alphacan and Pipelife.
The Pipelife Group is a 50/50 JV between Wienerberger and Solvay. It is one of Europe’s leading Plastic Pipes and Fittings groups active in 27 countries and operates 26 factories with 2,350 employees achieving pro-forma sales of 716 mEUR in 2010
A subsidiary of the Arkema Group and one of the leaders in the plastics converting market, Alphacan employs 950 people at its 8 production sites in a number of European countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Croatia. Alphacan’s know-how and industrial expertise may be found in all manufactured products from its two sectors of activity, i.e. PVC Profiles and Pipes.
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, 14,000 employees and 8 research centers, Arkema generated annual revenue of €5.9 billion in 2010, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands. The world is our inspiration.