France-based chemicals producer Arkema has announced plans to acquire French polymer manufacturer Coatex from the Omya Group. The deal is subject to the legal information and consultation processes involving personnel representative bodies for the three groups, Arkema, Coatex and Omya, and the approval of the anti-trust authorities in the relevant countries.

Headquartered in Genay, near Lyon, Coatex specialises in the production rheology additives, which are used in many sectors including the textile, leather, paper, paint, water treatment, and cosmetics industries. It currently employs 300 people at its facilities in Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and reported sales of €150 millions in 2006.