Distrupol appointed UK and Ireland distributor of DuPont’s melt-processable fluoropolymers for the injection moulding market

Chertsey, 14 May 2003. With effect from 2nd July 2003, Distrupol, the leading polymer distributor, technical service and solutions provider, will distribute DuPont's melt-processable fluoropolymer products, including all Teflon® fluoropolymer grades of PFA, FEP and Tefzel® ETFE, in the UK and Ireland. Both companies are committed to ensuring continuity of supply during the transition of business from the previous distributor.

The change in distributorship is a direct result of DuPont's growth strategy for its fluoropolymer business. The company aims to increase the use of its melt-processable products in the injection-moulding industry - a market where Distrupol is well-established, particularly as it has been distributing DuPont's engineering plastics in the UK for nearly 20 years. Distrupol's technical competence and support were further factors.

Commenting on the appointment, Ian Fletcher, senior marketing representative for DuPont Fluoropolymers in the UK and Ireland, said: "We are convinced that Distrupol is the right choice as our growth partner, particularly for the injection-moulding market where we believe there is great growth potential. The fluoropolymer business, which is typically smaller volumes but highly technical, means that Distrupol's own technical expertise can come to the fore."

David Jukes, CEO Distrupol Europe, says the company is pleased with the confidence shown by DuPont in awarding the distributorship to Distrupol. "We are delighted with this opportunity to extend our relationship with DuPont and are committed to growing the market for these products. In our opinion, melt-processable fluoropolymers are a valuable addition and perfect fit to the range of DuPont engineering polymers we already supply to the UK and Ireland market," said Jukes.

The agreement between Distrupol and DuPont for melt-processable fluoropolymers complements the recent appointment of Distrupol as distributor throughout the UK and Ireland for DuPont's engineering polymers and packaging and industrial polymers.

Fluoropolymers were discovered by DuPont scientist Roy Plunkett in 1938, and became marketed under the Teflon® brand in the early 1960s. Teflon® brand is one of the most widely recognised brands in the world and carries with it a reputation for the highest purity, quality and high-performance within a wide range of applications and industries, including automotive, aerospace, food, pharmaceutical, chemical processing and semi-conductors.