We have a long heritage of differentiated products, innovation and growth.
We can trace our history to 1863, and after more than a century of international success in a diverse range of industries, we sharpened our focus to become a speciality chemicals company in the mid-2000s. Since then, we have made several strategic acquisitions to consolidate our position as a leading global supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients.
George Yule & Co. established.
Yule Catto & Co. Limited was incorporated to take over the business of George Yule & Co. The company was controlled by members of the family of the first Lord Catto, and acted as London agents for industrial and plantation undertakings in India and Asia. Over the following 50 years, the company acquired many subsidiary companies and built up a portfolio of investments, primarily in British companies.
Yule Catto & Co. Limited merges with Malaya General Company Limited, an owner and operator of rubber plantations in Malaysia. Malaya General Company Limited become the holding company and changes its name to Yule Catto & Co. Limited.
On 14 October, Yule Catto & Co. Limited lists on the London Stock Exchange.
Yule Catto & Co. Limited engages in the operation of marinas, rubber and oil palm plantations, and has investments in oil exploration. It acquires Revertex Chemicals Limited, an international group that processes natural rubber latex and manufactured synthetic rubber latices, resins and emulsions.
Yule Catto & Co. Limited changes its name to Yule Catto & Co. plc.
Yule Catto acquires Holliday Chemical Holdings plc, a manufacturer of a wide range of chemicals, including active pharmaceutical chemicals, pigments, dyes and metal salt compounds.
Yule Catto & Co. plc divests a range of its businesses and become a focused supplier of speciality polymers.
Yule Catto & Co. plc acquires PolymerLatex, a speciality polymer manufacturer headquartered in Marl, Germany, with operations in Europe and Asia.
Yule Catto & Co. plc changes its name to Synthomer plc.
We complete the acquisition of the Performance and Adhesives Coatings business of Hexion Inc. and sell Revertex South Africa (Pty) Limited.
We acquire OMNOVA Solutions, a global manufacturer of emulsion polymers, speciality chemicals, and functional and decorative surfaces.
We are accredited with the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises London-listed companies that generate between 50% and 100% of total annual revenues from products and services that contribute to the global green economy. We hold this accreditation to this day.
Michael Willome is announced as Chief Executive Officer in November 2021.
We acquire the adhesive resins business from Eastman Chemical Company.
We launch our speciality solutions strategy.
We divest the Laminates, Films and Coated Fabrics businesses to Surteco.
We complete a £276m rights issue to help focus on delivering its speciality solutions strategy.
Our divisonal structure is established as part of our transformational strategy to become a more focused, stronger speciality chemicals business.
Peter Hill is appointed as Chair of the Board.