DALLAS - Celanese Corp. announced agreement to acquire Vinamul Polymers, the emulsion polymers business of ICI plc's National Starch and Chemical Co., for $208 million, pending regulatory approvals. The Vinamul Polymers product line includes vinyl acetate-ethylene (VAE) copolymers, vinyl acetate homopolymers and copolymers, and acrylic and vinyl acrylic emulsions.

Vinamul Polymers operates manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, the U.K. and the Netherlands. As part of the purchase agreement, National Starch will continue to supply Vinamul Polymers with starch, dextrin and other specialty ingredients. Celanese will supply the Vinamul business with vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) and polyvinyl alcohols (PVOH).

Celanese's current emulsion polymers business, which was acquired from Clariant in 2002, is primarily focused on markets in Europe, while the Vinamul business holds market positions in both Europe and North America. The company is a supplier of emulsions used in coatings, adhesives and other applications.