Ciba Specialty Chemicals (Middle East) FZE, based in Dubai, has become Vantico FZE.

This follows Performance Polymers Division of Ciba Specialty Chemicals becoming an independent company under the name of Vantico. The Dubai operation will be part of this new company.

Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Vantico starts with a leading position in its markets with 1999 sales of CHF 1.7 billion ($995 million), 3,000 employees and manufacturing sites in 18 countries around the world, including the UAE. Vantico has sales activities in more than 30 countries.

Vantico provides solutions in the fields of innovative coatings, structural composites, adhesives, tooling materials, and electrical and electronic insulation, utilising thermosetting polymers for the automotive, electronic, electrical, aerospace and consumer-durable industry.

Vantico will improve and enlarge its product portfolio by supplementing it with new materials in order to open new opportunities especially in the fast growing markets such as flat liquid crystal displays and advanced document and media security, said the new chief executive officer of Vantico Edward A Wilson.

"The formation of our new company has produced enormous energy and enthusiasm from which we will benefit in the future, " said Wilson. "With our broad product range and our reliable global network, we will not only remain a key player in our markets but we will also strengthen our position."