Trinseo, a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex binders and synthetic rubber, agreed to acquire the polymethyl methacrylates and activated methyl methacrylates business of Arkema, a company in speciality chemicals, for $1.36bn. “This acquisition will be a catalyst for portfolio transformation toward becoming a higher margin, less cyclical solutions provider. Arkema’s PMMA business has consistently delivered attractive margins with products serving many of Trinseo’s end markets. We believe this is an excellent first step in our portfolio transformation that is expected to ultimately include the separation of some of our commodity businesses. We look forward to the Arkema PMMA team joining Trinseo and we believe the complementary nature of the transaction should drive growth opportunities for the PMMA business globally,” Frank Bozich, Trinseo President and Chief Executive Officer.