Celanese has signed a definitive agreement to buy Linde’s syngas plant in Pasadena, Texas, USA. Financial terms of the transaction, which remains subject to the usual closing conditions and regulatory approvals, were not disclosed.

Linde’s sale of the 365,000 t/y facility, which is located at Celanese’s Clear Lake acetyl intermediates complex, is part of a series of divestments that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires for approving the German gases group’s merger with Praxair.

“By acquiring this syngas production unit, Celanese will have the capability of producing a critical raw material for the world’s largest acetyl intermediates production facility,” said Todd Elliott, senior vice president, acetyls at Celanese. “Linde is currently the primary carbon monoxide supplier to the Clear Lake facility and the acquisition of this synthesis gas production unit will provide Celanese with future productivity and growth configuration options.”

In separate news, Celanese has completed its purchase of Indian engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounder Next Polymers. Located in Mumbai, Next Polymers specializes in the custom compounding of various ETP materials and operates a 20,000 t/y plant in Silvassa in the union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.

Celanese said the acquisition further expands its global manufacturing footprint, adding 10 production lines to support local customers in a fast-growing market and leverage a potential export base.