Global law firm DLA Piper has advised Japanese chemical manufacturer and synthetic fibre producer Kuraray Co., Ltd. on the acquisition of Plantic Technologies Limited. Kuraray is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and has a market capitalisation of over AU$6 billion.

Kuraray has acquired 100 percent of Australian-based Plantic Technologies from a company controlled by Gordon Merchant, the founder of Billabong, who purchased Plantic Technologies in 2010.

Plantic Technologies is a world leading innovator in bioplastics, with a track record of science and industry awards, an international network of corporate customers and distributors, and a growing list of premium quality multinational research and development partners. Plantic Technologies also has an international presence, through subsidiaries in Germany and the United Kingdom.

The DLA Piper team was led by partner Dr. Gerry Bean and senior associate Dylan Burke, with assistance from partners Monique Stella and Mark Burger, senior associate Chris Neil, solicitor Asher Seifman and graduate Alex Moores.