Victrex acquires fibre manufacturer Zyex

UK-based PEEK maker Victrex has acquired Zyex, which manufactures PEEK-based fibres principally for the aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Financial details were not disclosed.

Victrex says the move further enables it to offer differentiated PEEK-based solutions to open-up new markets, in line with its strategy. This is now strengthened with additional fibre products, application expertise and resources from the Zyex team to develop new and existing solutions for customers, it adds.

UK-based Zyex has been a long-standing customer of Victrex and like Victrex, Zyex was formed out of ICI. Zyex was trade-marked to support growing demand. Further advances in polymer quality and melt spinning capability in the 1990s led to multifilament and finer monofilament products. Becoming independent in 1994, its manufacturing moved to Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

The two companies say the complementary strengths of Zyex and Victrex will create a world class supplier of PEEK fibres. Beyond opportunities from developing new and existing applications, the investment will also enable Victrex to explore the potential of additive manufacturing within the fibres area, building on the additive manufacturing consortium announced in 2016.

Zyex´s product range focuses on PEEK polymer-based fibres for applications such as process belting, filtration or wiring harnesses.

The acquisition of Zyex builds on other recent investments. In February 2017, Victrex announced a new joint venture, TxV Aero Composites, with Tri-Mack plastics to accelerate the commercial adoption of polyketone (PAEK) composite applications within the aerospace industry, through the manufacture of selected parts utilising new and innovative processes. Victrex also invested in a minority interest in Magma Global Ltd in December 2016, to strengthen the partnership and facilitate the adoption of the pioneering m-pipe technology for subsea oil and gas composite pipes.