Paris-La Défense, February 28, 2023 – Safic-Alcan, a leading global distributor of specialty chemicals, announces the acquisition of 4PLAS LTD., a UK-based distributor specializing in engineered plastics for the injection moulding industry.
Founded in 2003 by Simon Humphrey, Mark Dixon, Jason Thorpe, and Andrew Bastow, 4PLAS LTD. has built a strong reputation for supplying innovative polymer solutions across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Its portfolio includes engineering thermoplastics, masterbatches, colour and custom compounds, as well as high-performance and biodegradable materials tailored to demanding industrial applications.
This strategic acquisition significantly strengthens Safic-Alcan’s UK subsidiary, reinforcing the region as one of the group’s key markets. By integrating 4PLAS’s technical expertise and market knowledge, Safic-Alcan further enhances its ability to deliver high-value polymer solutions to customers in automotive, building, electronics, telecommunications, and engineering sectors.
The acquisition reflects Safic-Alcan’s long-term growth strategy, focused on expanding its geographic footprint, strengthening sector expertise, and delivering innovative, sustainable material solutions to its customers.
About Safic-Alcan
Safic-Alcan is a French independent distributor of specialty chemicals headquartered in Paris La Défense (France). The Company develops and provides wide ranges of polymers, materials and additives for the rubber, coatings, adhesives, thermoplastics, polyurethane, lubricants, detergency, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and nutraceuticals industries. With a network of 33 offices strategically located in Europe, Turkey, Middle East, North America, Mexico, South America, China and South Africa, and 733 people worldwide, Safic-Alcan generated a turnover of 725 M€ in 2021. Learn More
About 4PLAS LTD.
4PLAS established in 2003 in the UK, offers an extensive array of engineering thermoplastic materials, masterbatches, colour & custom compounds, as well as 4TECH high performance materials, all with a wide range of additives & fillers including natural fibres and more recently offering a growing biopolymer and biodegradable 4ETEC range. With its wide technical and market expertise, 4PLAS offers cost effective grades and solutions, and has continued to grow establishing itself as a key supplier to the UK and European automotive, building, telecoms, engineering, electrical and electronic injection moulding markets. 4PLAS employs 11 people and generated £ 13.5 M in 2021.