The Construction Chemicals Market

This year has been an active one in terms of acquisitions and divestitures in the construction chemicals market. Many of the major players including Henkel and 3M all made major acquisitions and in doing so have broadened their already wide grip on the global construction coatings market.

DuPont agreed to sell its Special Adhesives business to Bostik GmbH, based in Borgholzhausen, Germany.

"We looked for synergies within DuPont that would allow this business to deliver the financial results to which we have committed for our entire portfolio, but a viable option was not identified," said Terry Caloghiris, group vice president, DuPont Coatings & Color Technologies.

Under the sale agreement, DuPont continues to produce adhesives for Bostik until its own manufacturing facilities are established.

These divestitures are part of the transformation strategy announced by DuPont Performance Coatings in March 2006. The strategy is designed to allow the unit to focus more effectively on global growth in refinish, automotive OEM, transporation, powder and liquid coatings for industrial markets.

Sika acquired German-based Pro