Koninklijke Ten Cate NV : TenCate acquires Amber Composites Ltd in England

16 januari 2013 TenCate has reached an agreement on the acquisition of Amber Composites, a UK- based manufacturer of thermoset composites for the industrial and automotive market. No financial details will be communicated regarding this transaction. The major portion of the global composite market consists of thermoset materials. The activities of TenCate in this market are mainly focused on aerospace, space and radome applications and within TenCate Advanced Composites concentrated in the United States of America. The acquisition of Amber Composites will help accelerate activities in the European market in the field of thermoset composite materials. Strategic complementary TenCate composites activities originate in the Netherlands, where more than 20 years ago TenCate began the development of thermoplastic composites for the aviation industry under the brand name TenCate CetexÂ®. TenCate is market leader with this activity. The main advantages of thermoplastic composites are their lower process costs and faster processing time in the production of components. As a result of the acquisition of Amber Composites, TenCate increases its presence in the market for industrial and automotive composites, tooling materials and in the aerospace market in Europe, with both thermoset and thermoplastic composites. Thermoset composites are used as an alternative for those applications that can not be met by thermoplastic composites. This creates a one stop shop for customers of TenCate Advanced Composites. Synergy with TenCate Advanced Composites TenCate Advanced Composites in both the United States of America and Europe will profit from the acquisition of Amber Composites, which will produce a stronger and more balanced product portfolio. It will also ensure entry into new markets, both in the USA and in Europe. TenCate recently announced its alliance with BASF for thermoplastic composites for the automotive market, as well as with 3M for the US tooling market aimed at expansion of its market potential for thermoset composites. Tooling composites is one of the strengths of Amber Composites. The recent acquisition of PMC Baycomp in the US and the current acquisition of Amber Composites support the company's expansion into new markets. Royal Ten Cate Almelo, Wednesday January 16, 2013 ________________________________________________________________ Note for the editor: TenCate corporate F.R. Spaan, Corporate Director, Business Development & Investor Relations TelephoneÂ Â Â Â Â : +31 546 544 977 MobileÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â : +31 612 961 724 E-mailÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â : businessdevelopment@tencate.com Internet Â Â Â Â Â Â Â : www.tencate.com TenCate Advanced Composites is a leader in the development and production of thermoplastic and thermoset prepreg composites for various industries. Its product portfolio is incorporated into automotive products, medical equipment and numerous other applications. TenCate Advanced Composites has production facilities and operations in North America, Europe and Asia. Amber Composites is a manufacturer of composite materials for high-performance, lightweight structures. Amber Composites provides materials and technical expertise to a diverse set of industries including motorsport, automotive, aerospace, communications, marine and wind energy. www.ambercomposites.com Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) is a multinational company that combines textile technology with related chemical processes and material technology in the development and production of functional materials with distinctive characteristics. TenCate products are sold worldwide. Systems and materials from TenCate come under four areas of application: safety & protection, space & aerospace, infrastructure & the environment, and sport & recreation. TenCate occupies leading positions in protective fabrics, composites for space and aerospace, anti-ballistics, geosynthetics and synthetic turf. TenCate is listed on the NYSE Euronext (AMX). Press release as PDF: http://hugin.info/130798/R/1670734/543010.pdf This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Koninklijke Ten Cate NV via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1670734]