Avantor Performance Materials to Acquire POCH S.A. from Kulczyk Holding

AvantorT Performance Materials (USA) announces a definitive agreement to acquire POCH S.A. from Kulczyk. Completion of the sale is dependent on obtaining the necessary clearance from the Polish competition authority, and is subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Avantor Performance Materials, formerly Mallinckrodt Baker, manufactures and markets high-performance chemistries and materials around the world under several well respected brand names, including the J.T.BakerR, MacronT, RankemT and DiagnovaT brands. Avantor products are used in a wide range of industries including biotechnology and pharmaceutical production; and in research, academic and quality control laboratories. The company is owned by an affiliate of private equity firm New Mountain Capital.

Based in Poland, POCH S.A. manufactures products designed for use in classic and instrumental analysis, filtration and microbiology. POCH S.A. also sells laboratory equipment and laboratory glass. Moreover, POCH S.A. also manufactures solvents for liquid and gas chromatography and spectroscopy as well as anhydrous solvents. Its markets include pharmaceuticals; food and feed; chemical and petrochemical; environmental protection and research and analytical chemistry.

"The transaction is part of Avantor’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the global market by growing both organically and through acquisition, expanding into new markets and geographies," said Avantor President and Chief Executive Officer Jean-Marc Gilson. "POCH fits this strategy because of its established and expansive manufacturing presence and distribution channel in Poland and Eastern Europe."

"This acquisition will allow for synergies in market and production know how and enrichment of the combined product portfolio, significantly increasing the level of expertise dedicated to various industry sectors," said POCH S.A. Chief Executive Officer Jaroslaw Bieszczad. "It will also enhance the competitive standing of POCH, enabling us to offer the high-quality Avantor product lines to our customers, while also giving us new markets for our products through the global Avantor organization."