2021 Annual and Sustainable Performance Report

Following the acquisitions of Prochimir in 2019 and of LIP, Fixatti and Ideal Works in 2020, Bostik finalized the consolidation of US Ashland’s Performance Adhesives business in 2021. Arkema’s large subsidiary acquired in 2015 has the means to achieve its ambitions, in synergy with the Group’s growth strategy.

Interview with Vincent Legros, Chief Executive Officer of Bostik.

The list of companies acquired by Bostik in recent years was further expanded in 2021, notably with the Ashland acquisition. What criteria do you use to select these acquisitions?

Vincent Legros: Some allow us to increase our market share, especially in regions where we don’t have much presence. This was the case, for example, with LIP, the Danish leader in tile adhesives and floor preparation solutions, of which our acquisition in 2020 has been a major asset in our development in the Nordic countries’ Consumer & Construction markets. Other operations are based on the acquisition of technologies, such as with Fixatti where we gained specialist hotmelt know-how, or, most recently in early 2022 when we bought PMP, the Chinese specialist in very high-precision adhesives for the electronics markets. We’re targeting key technologies with high growth potential and we’re leveraging our global presence to help internationalize them.

How does the acquisition of Ashland’s Performance Adhesives business fit with this strategy?

Vincent Legros: In this case, we’re acquiring both market share and world-class technology. With revenue of $360 million and high levels of profitability, Ashland Performance Adhesives has recognized brands in the US along with a wide range of solutions in the fields of pressure-sensitive adhesives and structural adhesives. It represents a major step forward in our development strategy.