PolyOne Corporation, USA, an international polymer services company with continuing operations in thermoplastic compounds, speciality polymer formulations, colour and additive systems, has recently completed the sale of its Melos� rubber granulates operations to the Melos management team, supported by investors from a group of European banks and funds. The purchase price was not disclosed. The Melos� unit produces and sells primarily EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber granulates for the artificial surfacing market. The business, which PolyOne acquired in 1998, had 2003 sales of approximately US$35 million. PolyOne retains operations on a portion of the Melle site for the manufacture of low-smoke and flame, zero-halogen wire and cable insulation compounds, a technology and process application that remains an investment focus for the Company. PolyOne invested in the LSFOH production facility following the Melos acquisition in 1998. Recently, PolyOne installed new LSFOH equipment in the facility and opened a new LSFOH compound development laboratory in Assesse, Belgium.
