Swedish compounder Hexpol has acquired an 80% stake in Italy’s Mesgo Group for €168 million, making a strategic move into the high-performance elastomers market.

Mesgo specializes in conventional rubber compounds and thermoplastics, supplying high-performance elastomers such as fluorocarbons and silicones. It operates plants in Carobbio and Gorlago in Italy, Tomaszow Mazowiecki in Poland and Istanbul in Turkey, along with facilities specializing in thermoplastics and masterbatches in Garlasco and Grigno, Italy.

The company has sales of around €100 million with a focus on the industrial, consumer products, transportation and automotive sectors.

“I’m convinced that this opportunity will strengthen our group, give continuity to its growth and accelerate its international expansion,” said Mesgo’s CEO, Francesco Caldara. “With its sizable installed base of customers, Hexpol is uniquely positioned across the growing compounding industry and will allow us to reach new markets and qualified customers.”

Hexpol said it has an option to acquire the remaining shares in the future.