Key Takeaways
- Dober acquires Agronomy and Water Treatment businesses from Lygos, Inc.
- Transaction expands Dober’s portfolio with Soltellus™ polymer products
- Lygos retains Soltellus sales for Home and Personal Care applications
- Acquisition strengthens the company's manufacturing and product development capabilities
- Production to continue in Hazleton, PA, with development in Woodridge, IL
Dober Expands Portfolio Through Lygos Business Acquisition
Dober, a specialty chemical manufacturer headquartered in Woodridge, Illinois, has acquired the Agronomy and Water Treatment businesses from Lygos, Inc., a sustainable specialty chemicals company.
The transaction adds Soltellus™, a portfolio of high-performance polymer products, to Dober’s existing operations and supports the company’s ongoing strategic growth. Lygos will continue to sell Soltellus into Home and Personal Care applications and retains its proprietary polymer technology platform for those markets.
Chris Dobrez, Chief Executive Officer of Dober, said: “We’re excited to build on the strong foundation established by Lygos. Their team has done exceptional work launching Soltellus™ into the Agronomy market, and we look forward to continuing that momentum while expanding the Soltellus portfolio.”
Manufacturing and Product Development Integration
Prior to the acquisition, both companies had entered into a manufacturing collaboration to expand Soltellus production. The transaction provides Dober with increased control over manufacturing, quality assurance, and new product development.
Dobrez stated that bringing sales and operations in-house will allow Dober to leverage its production capabilities and expertise in biopolymers to pursue additional product opportunities in agronomy and water treatment markets.
Rich Weber, Chief Business Officer of Lygos, Inc., commented: “Dober’s deep experience in polymers, combined with its production technology and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, makes this a clear strategic fit.”
Dober Maintains Operational Continuity for Customers
The company confirmed that Soltellus™ production will continue at its Hazleton, Pennsylvania facility, with product development conducted at its headquarters in Woodridge, Illinois. The company indicated that customers should not experience disruptions during the transition.
Tony Weisner, Senior Vice President at Dober, said: “It’s business as usual. Customers can expect the same level of personalized service they received from Lygos.”
Founded in 1957, Dober operates across 12 global locations and serves more than 3,000 customers in sectors including water treatment, performance fluids, formulated detergents, robotics, and operations management software. Lygos will continue focusing on sustainable polymer solutions for home care, personal care, and hygiene applications.
