KRATON Polymers was launched following the acquisition of the former polymers business of Shell Chemical.

KRATON Polymers, Houston, was launched following the acquisition of the former polymers business of Shell Chemical. The company, a supplier of styrenic block copolymers, was acquired from Royal Dutch/Shell Group by the U.S. investment firm Ripplewood Holdings LLC. The KRATON business is headed by Chairman John Georges, managing director of Greenwich Chemical Partners, an affiliate of Ripplewood Holdings. Steve Wood, formerly vice president of the KRATON business, is CEO. The company manufactures polymer products in Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands, and the United States, and is a supplier to a variety of industries.