Celanese Corporation (Dallas, TX) announced it would close a deal to acquire the long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) business of Fact GmbH (Future Advanced Composites Technology, Kaiserslautern, Germany) on December 31, 2009,

Celanese stated in a release that the acquisition will support the company’s Advanced Engineered Materials business segment, specifically Ticona Engineering Polymers, by building on Ticona’s LFT process technology and broadening product offerings. It also will improve the capability to grow with customers through the addition of a new production site in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

Roland Polet, VP of Ticona, said, “This acquisition will grow the company’s Celstran product line, expand industry coverage, and combine development capabilities of both companies to serve increasingly demanding customer and segment expectations in the automotive industry and in general industrial applications.”

Celstran is Ticona’s brand of LFT, which it markets as a metal replacement alternative with weight and cost advantages. Application areas include the automotive, electrical/electronics, sports gear, and leisure market sectors.