DSM and Ascend form global strategic alliance for supply of polyamide 66 compounds

Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Material Sciences company, and Ascend Performance Materials Inc., the premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics, announce that they have formed a global strategic alliance for the supply of compounds based on polyamide 66 (PA66). Under the agreement, Ascend becomes the strategic supplier to DSM for PA66 base-polymer used as raw material for Akulon® PA66 compounds for engineering plastics applications. In addition, DSM will distribute Ascend's portfolio of PA66 compounds sold under the brand name Vydyne®.

“Our alliance combines the best of both companies; high quality products with security of supply and excellent application support when and where it is needed,” says Roelof Westerbeek, President DSM Engineering Plastics. “Customers all around the world now have access to a full portfolio of Akulon® PA66 compounds and Vydyne® PA66, together with enhanced application development and innovation capabilities from both Ascend and DSM.”

DSM is already a major developer and global supplier of polyamide engineering plastics, with a portfolio that covers not only Akulon® PA6 and PA66, but also several other high performance polyamides such as Stanyl® PA46, Stanyl®ForTii™, and EcoPaXX®, a biobased polyamide that is certified carbon neutral from cradle to gate. Next to that, DSM supplies thermoplastic polyesters (Arnite® PBT and PET, and Arnitel® TPE for engineering applications). With the new scale and capability in PA66, DSM strengthens its portfolio to offer complete solutions for its customers.

Ascend Performance Materials is one of the largest producers of PA66 resin in the world, with full backward integration into the key chemical intermediates – adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, and adipic acid. Ascend is focused on growth in engineered plastics applications through its Vydyne® PA66 resin and compounds. With this agreement, Ascend plans to accelerate its growth trajectory with significantly greater access to customers around the world. Ascend produces PA66 resin in Pensacola, FL (the largest integrated PA66 site in the world, where it recently added 30kMT of state-of-art compounding capability) and in Greenwood, SC.

“We are very excited by this new alliance with DSM,” says Phil McDivitt, President of the Nylon Business at Ascend Performance Materials. “It enormously expands our reach into applications that until now have been under-served, and it gives us better access to global customers. With our world-class facilities in the U.S. combined with DSM’s excellent sales, marketing and technical support, we believe we can now provide best-in-class products, productivity, and service to all our customers.”

More information can be found at www.dsm.com

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Notes for editors

Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC

Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. Ascend is the world’s largest integrated nylon business, with its own in-house manufacturing facilities, ensuring total security of supply. Ascend’s product range has earned it an unequalled reputation for quality, innovative techniques and an enlightened approach to business that expands the horizons of possibility. With eight global locations and more than 3,200 people working at our sites around the world, Ascend has the inspiration, the expertise, the people and the attitude toward innovation to consistently deliver the right solution for customers.

Ascend Performance Materials and Vydyne marks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC.

More information about Ascend can be found at www.ascendmaterials.com.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™

Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders simultaneously. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM and its associated companies deliver annual net sales of about €10 billion with approximately 25,000 employees. The company is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.