Rohm has signed the Sale and Purchase Agreement for the acquisitions of Functional Forms, the polycarbonate-based films and sheet business unit of SABIC.

United States: Acrylic Sheet leader ROHM (R for resistors, the original product, plus ohm, the unit of measure for resistance), which is backed by global private equity firm Advent International, on June 20, 2023, has finally signed the sales and purchase agreement with SABIC (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) for the acquisitions of polycarbonate-based films and sheet business. It had already been announced that they will purchase this business unit in December 2022. SABIC Functional Forms business creates and produces high-quality, engineered thermoplastic sheets and films based on polycarbonate resin. It sells its products to a broad range of industries, including building and construction; consumer electronics; aircraft and railway interiors; and displays. The Functional Forms business operates in 19 countries and employs approximately 700 people. As a result of the sale, SABIC will be able to concentrate on its core business of Petrochemicals, Agri-Nutrients and Specialties.

Rohm’s CEO Michael Pack said, “We are very excited to have found a strong partner with whom we can grow together, by adding the Polycarbonate Resin extrusion business to our portfolio, we will sustainably strengthen our competitiveness in our sheets and films business. With the combined competencies – in sales and in the development of materials, products, and applications – we will become a better business partner for our customers.”

PleixigLAS/ACRYLITE®, Rohm’s world-leading brand, is one of the most versatile and high-quality acrylic products available on the market. With the purchase of Functional Forms by SABIC, Rohm strengthens its position not only in transparent sheets but also in films and transport.

 He further added This acquisition is a milestone on our road towards becoming a world-leading multi-materials manufacturer of high quality, transparent films, and sheet. Our customers will now be able to acquire leading PLEXIGLAS® / ACRYLITE® and LEXAN™ products out of one hand and can draw on unparalleled technical and application expertise.” LEXAN™ is the world’s leading polycarbonate brand. The Functional Forms business unit’s high-quality films and sheets are mainly sold under the LEXAN™ brand.  “With our strong branded products, expanded product offering and technical expertise, we will become the preferred partner in the market for high-quality transparent sheet and films.”

Ronald Ayles, Managing Partner at Advent International, adds: “This is a unique opportunity for ROHM to build a global leader in this attractive segment and we are very happy to be able to back our portfolio company in executing this transformative acquisition”.

The new business will have over € 700m in sales, will have a strong operating global presence across 14 manufacturing sites and will benefit from the complementary activities of the two companies in similar but different markets: both ROHM's Functional Forms business and the Functional Forms business of SABIC produce high-quality sheets and film products, which are used in a broad range of industries, including building and construction; consumer electronics; medicine; and aviation. The transaction is a key part of Rohm's strategy to build its transparent semi-finished products business into one of the world's leading multipolymer companies.