DSM mulls sale of materials business to focus on health, bioscience

Heerlen, The Netherlands – Dutch chemicals manufacturer Royal DSM is reviewing strategic options for its materials business as it continues to ‘simplify’ operating structure and narrows focus on health, nutrition & bioscience.

In a statement 14 Sept, DSM said its materials business group, consisting of two business units, will be managed largely on a ‘stand-alone’ basis and the global support functions would be realigned accordingly.

“DSM has two excellent materials businesses that... will likely not be able to maximise their full potential to drive the important industrial shift to a bio-based and circular economy,” it added. 

As a result, DSM said it was reviewing strategic options for both materials businesses, including a possible change of ownership.

The business group reported overall sales of €1.5 billion and adjusted operating profit of €168 million in 2020.

The division’s two units include engineering materials, with products such as thermoplastic elastomers, polyamides and speciality polyesters. Among other products, the unit supplies Arnitel-branded TPEs for various applications including in the automotive, medical and industrial sectors.

The protective materials business is claimed to be the largest manufacturer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMwPE), under the brand Dyneema.