Stepan Europe Purchases Alfa Systems

Stepan Co. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Stepan Europe S.A.S., has acquired Alfa Systems Sp. z o.o. from its shareholders, Chemitex Holding Ltd. and Chemovil Holdings Ltd. The purchase includes Alfa Systems' new plant located in Brzeg Dolny, Poland, with 25,000 metric tons of polyester polyol capacity and 15,000 metric tons of polyurethane systems capacity. The plant started the middle of last year and specializes in the manufacture of aromatic polyester polyols from recycled polyethylene terephthalate as a raw material.

"Polyester polyols are the critical component of our polymer business. The acquisition of Alfa Systems gives us manufacturing capability in Eastern Europe and the ability to economically and effectively serve customers in Central and Eastern Europe," says F. Quinn Stepan Jr., president and CEO of Stepan Co. "In addition, the technology to manufacture aromatic polyester polyols from recycled raw materials is new for Stepan. We are excited to add this site with its technology to our global polyester polyol manufacturing network including Millsdale, Ill.; Wesseling, Germany; and our joint venture in Nanjing, China."