Synthomer traces its history back to the 1950s. Since this time, regular expansion combined with innovation in our core products has seen Synthomer develop into a leading global innovator in a wide range of polymer types.
| History of Synthomer |  |
| 2009 | Branch Representative Office opened in Shanghai. |
| 2008 | Synthomer Vietnam Co., Ltd established. |
| 2007 | Expansion of acrylic dispersion capacity in Mouscron, Belgium. Toll-manufacturing of styrene acrylic dispersions commenced at two locations in the USA. |
| 2006 | Synthomer LLC established in Powell, Ohio, to support further expansion in North and Central America. |
| 2005 | Lithene plant expanded to support growth in the automotive sealant and anti-corrosion paint markets. DCI-Harco renamed Synthomer Middle East and capacity further increased. |
| 2003 | Ditar Hasselt BV acquired, cementing Synthomer’s leadership position of the European floor covering compound market. |
| 2002 | Synthomer Europe established. Harlow Chemical Co. and Revertex Belgium renamed Synthomer. Acrylic reactor commissioned in Mouscron, Belgium. Nitrile latex plant commissioned in Kluang, Malaysia, to supply the Asian glove market. |
| 2001 | Harlow Chemical Co becomes a 100% subsidiary of Yule Catto following Yule Catto’s acquisition of Clariant’s 50% share. Construction of Synthomer Sdn Bhd. Revertex Malaysia’s New Group Technical Centre completed. |
| 1999 | Synthomer becomes a 100% subsidiary of Yule Catto following Yule Catto’s acquisition of Reichhold Chemicals’ 50% share. |
| 1998 | Joint venture established in Saudi Arabia between Harlow Chemical Co. and Dhahran Chemical Industries to produce vinyl and acrylic dispersions. Polyvinyl acetate solid/solution plant constructed in Harlow. |
| 1994 | Viking Polymers Limited based in Batley, West Yorkshire acquired. |
| 1993 | Synthomer GmbH becomes a 50% JV with Yule Catto following Yule Catto’s acquisition of Metallgesellchaft’s 50% share. Revertex Malaysia’s New Alkyd ll plant completed. |
| 1992 | Alcotex plant in Harlow expanded. |
| 1991 | Dispersion production was transferred to Stallingborough from Harlow. |
| 1982 | Formation of Arkem (Pty) Ltd – Revertex (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd and Alco Chemicals Corporation (USA) – to manufacture speciality solution polymers. |
| 1980 | Yule Catto and Co plc acquired the holding of Revertex Chemicals Ltd and so became a 50% shareholder of Harco and Doverstrand. |
| 1978 | PVA and acrylic dispersion plant commissioned at Stallingborough. |
| 1976 | Compound production started in Oss, The Netherlands. |
| 1974 | Lithene Plant constructed at Stallingborough. |
| 1972 | Revertex (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd incorporated. |
| 1963 | Harlow Chemical Company (Harco) was created with a 50:50 shareholding by Revertex Ltd and Hoechst UK Ltd. The Stallingborough manufacturing site was developed by Doverstrand Ltd, a joint venture partnership between Revertex Ltd and Standard Brands Inc of America. Synthomer GmbH was created with a latex production site in Langelsheim/Germany as a joint venture between Metallgesellschaft AG and Standard Brands Inc. |
| 1957 | Formation of Revertex (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd to produce the Emultex range of polyvinyl acetate emulsions in Durban, South Africa. |
| 1952 | The production site at Harlow was constructed and operated by Revertex Ltd from 1952 to 1963. The primary products were polyvinyl acetate resin dispersions and solid polyvinyl alcohol resin – Alcotex. |