Grace expands Brazilian footprint in deal for two-plant admixture operator

Sources: W. R. Grace & Co., Columbia, Md.; CP staff

Grace has acquired a leading producer of concrete admixtures in Brazil, Rheoset Industria e Comercio de Aditivos Ltda., adding capacity in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Recife to complement existing (Grace Construction Products) operations in Sorocaba and Bahia.

“Rheoset’s product lines are highly complementary to [our] concrete admixture product and technology portfolio,” said Grace Construction Vice President and General Manager, Americas Craig Merrill. “The acquisition will accelerate the pace of product and technology development, enabling the more rapid creation of new customer solutions and new value in this segment.”

The transaction, adds Grace Construction Products President Andrew Bonham, “Is part of [our] strategy of growth in high-margin segments, investing in manufacturing capacity to serve emerging regions, and extending the Grace brand in our core business segments.”