LEHIGH VALLEY, PA -- Air Products and Chemicals Inc. announced an agreement to acquire Sanwa Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., a major Japanese producer of specialty polyamide resins and epoxy curing agents.

Sanwa, a privately held company, is a regional supplier of amine-based resins with product lines and technologies that complement Air Products’ existing products, the company said. Applications include high-performance coatings for steel and concrete and hot-melt adhesives. Air Products said the acquisition reflects efforts to expand its presence in the growing Asian market.