Plastics and chemicals supplier DSM has taken full contol of the polyamide 6 polymerization facility it previously had co-owned with Shaw Industries Group Inc., purchasing Shaw's 75% stake in the plant. The move gives DSM full integration in the PA6 chain, including caprolactam, polymer, and compounded products, in North America. 

Neither company revealed terms or financial details of the transaction, which closed on January 1, 2010. Shaw is a large carpet and floor coverings manufacturer. It remains a player in the plastics industry, as last spring it announced a joint venture with PET supplier DAK in which the two companies formed Clear Path Recycling LLC, a venture to produce recycled PET (RPET) from post-consumer PET bottles. Shaw will use the RPET in some of its carpets.

DSM says the acquisition of Shaw’s share in the PA6 polymerization site, known as Nylon Polymer Company LLC (NPC; Augusta, GA), is part of its strategy to increase its geographical footprint, including expansion into South America. Last year, DSM opened its first PA6 polymerization plant in China, and to now remains the only supplier to produce the entire PA6 chain in China.

DSM traditionally has not commented on its sites' capacities and this time also said it would not do so. —[email protected]