8 minute read
Azelis signs up to TfS News bulletin – chemical distribution
STANDARD SETTER
SUSTAINABILITY • BENCHMARKING AGAINST INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IS THE ONLY WAY TO TELL HOW EFFECTIVE A COMPANY’S CSR PROGRAMME IS. AZELIS HAS TAKEN THE LOGICAL STEP
AZELIS HAS JOINED Together for Sustainability (TfS), a global initiative to promote sustainability in chemical supply chains. The move follows on from the Gold rating awarded to Azelis by EcoVadis, which is a prerequisite for TfS membership. The move, Azelis says, testifies to its “resolute course of action to be catalyst of change when it comes to sustainable business models and become benchmark for the industry”.
TfS, a global network of 25 chemical companies, represents the de facto standard for environmental, social and governance performance in chemical supply chains. Its programme is based on the UN Global Compact and the principles of Responsible
MARIA ALMENAR, CSR PROGRAMME LEADER AT AZELIS (ABOVE): “NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE IT Care and sets a benchmark for sustainable business practice.
Commenting on the move, Dr Hans Joachim Müller, Azelis CEO, says: “Our dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business models has been at the core of our business decisions for a while now. That dedication has been recognised twice by EcoVadis’ Gold rating so joining TfS was the next logical step for us. The TfS concept benefits both TfS member companies and suppliers, taking away bureaucratic burden from us so that time and energy can be spent on the improvement of sustainability performance. As a global business, with operations across EMEA, the Americas and Asia Pacific, Azelis takes its responsibilities very seriously, always looking for new ways to make a positive impact on society and minimise its footprint, whilst delivering the best possible products and services.”
Azelis has defined 26 key performance indicators (KPIs) for its CSR strategy. Each TfS member company shares its KPIs within the initiative, which are aggregated to form the basis through which TfS aims to increase sustainability performance across the chemical supply chain.
AN IMPORTANT STEP Bertrand Conquéret, TfS president, says: “My colleagues and I warmly welcome Azelis to the Together for Sustainability Initiative. The arrival of Azelis marks an important step for TfS as it will enable the Initiative to further deliver on its mission and core strategy to drive and improve the sustainability impact of global chemical supply chains. By joining TfS, Azelis will fully benefit from the TfS innovative framework, collaborative mindset and robust tools to assess and improve the sustainability performance of its supplying companies, while increasing its own responsible sourcing program. As TfS operates as a unique member-driven organisation, Azelis together with the other 24 TfS member companies will contribute to shaping the future of the chemical industry.”
Maria Almenar, CSR programme leader and group SHEQ director at Azelis, explains further: “We have put a lot of effort, expertise and passion in our CSR programme for the past four years, but now is the time to take it all one step further. In line with UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Azelis is ready to build strong partnerships and join global chemical industry initiatives that contribute to sustainability.
“We see many benefits in joining TfS: EcoVadis assessment and methodology, third-party evaluation, possibility of developing action plans with suppliers, onsite audits, access to results through sharing principle of TfS, active participation in TfS activities and best practice sharing, improved management of risks, to name only some,” Almenar adds. “In one word, this was the right and logical next step and we are very excited about what lies ahead.” www.azelis.com
NEWS BULLETIN
CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION
UNIVAR TAKES UP HFS BUSINESS
Univar Solutions has boosted its water treatment division through the acquisition of certain assets of The Mosaic Company’s hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFS) business (opposite). The deal includes a number of customer contracts and rail and supply chain agreements.
“We’re excited to build onto our already robust HFS business and market-leading water treatment capabilities. With the addition of these new capabilities, we are well positioned to help customers and suppliers solve their complex water treatment issues,” says Brian Jurcak, vice-president of product management in the US for Univar Solutions.
Univar has meanwhile reorganised its pharmaceutical ingredients distribution business as a dedicated industry vertical in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, matching its structure in North America and Latin America.
“Historically, there has been a greater emphasis on the regional market,” says Matthew Ottaway, vice-president of focused industries EMEA. “However, this organisational alignment will help improve performance and increase focus on the needs of pharmaceutical ingredient customers and suppliers, as well as reinforce our commitment to being a responsible solutions provider.” www.univarsolutions.com
AZELIS PICKS UP PU
Momentive has appointed Azelis Americas to distribute its polyurethane additives in the US. The deal expands an existing relationship, as Azelis Americas CASE already distributes silanes for Momentive, and is seen as a strategic fit for Azelis Americas CASE offerings for urethane customers.
“Adding the Momentive polyurethane additives product line to our CASE portfolio is an ideal fit,” says Frank Bergonzi, CEO/ president of Azelis Americas. “Momentive’s products offer our customers the best-in-class quality and performance. Our sales, technical and customer support teams are eager to expand the use of these technologies with our customer base.”
“Azelis Americas is a premier CASE distributor in the US,” adds Thuan Nguyen, Momentive’s global segment leader for PU rigids, molded and specialties. “We look forward to growing the Momentive polyurethanes additives business across the US by leveraging their technical sales force, market intelligence and application labs.” www.azelis.com
DEBRO BAGS BIG SOLVAY DEAL
Debro has become the exclusive partner of Solvay Novecare for the distribution of its Coatings and Home and Personal Care (HPC) products in Canada, taking over the contract from Univar Solutions as from 1 February. “We are confident that over the long term the best interests of both customers and Solvay Novecare – Coatings and HPC markets are better served by Debro. Solvay Novecare has had a long relationship with Univar Solutions/ Nexeo – Canada and it was only after long and thoughtful discussions that the decision to make the change was made,” Solvay says.
Debro has also struck a new partnership with PPG Silica Products and is promoting the PPG range of precipitated silica in the coatings, sealants, and adhesives markets throughout Canada as from 1 April. The move follows on from Debro’s recent acquisition of Tartan Color. www.debro.com
MORE WORK FOR KRAHN
ExxonMobil Chemical has appointed Krahn Chemie as its authorised distributor in Spain for its Jayflex™ range of plasticisers, extending the existing relationship between the two groups. To help support its Spanish customers, Krahn Chemie has set up a local sales team based in the Barcelona office of its sister company Albis Plastic.
“We are very pleased with the expansion of our long-standing partnership with ExxonMobil and are looking forward to developing our activities in the Spanish market for plasticisers,” says Karlheinz Schuster, vice-president, sales and marketing, for Krahn Chemie.
Krahn Chemie Benelux is to begin distributing precipitated silica products from PPG for ink, coating, adhesive and sealant applications in Benelux as from April, building on an existing deal between Krahn and PPG in Italy, Poland and France.
“The previous cooperation with the Krahn Group convinced us that their sales approach based on close relationships with their customers and deep technical understanding of the products is of high value for us as well as for our customers,” says Gilles Gressier, PPG’s EMEA business director, silica products. “We are sure that the extension of this trusting cooperation into the Benelux region is a well thought-out step.” www.krahn.eu
VESTOLIT PVC FROM TER
TER Chemicals has become the exclusive distributor for Vestolit’s speciality PVC products in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, the Benelux, the UK and Scandinavia. The products range from PVC pastes to thermoplastic resins.
Vestolit operates PVC production sites with a combined annual capacity of some 400,000 tonnes, with more than 70 years’ in the business at its Marl headquarters in Germany. “Having TER Chemicals as a new partner for the distribution supports us in realising our goals and our vision. With a high level of integrity, deep trust and partnership-based ways of thinking and acting, we look forward to a successful collaboration,” says Kathrin Steussing from Vestolit. www.terchemicals.com
NEW MAN FOR CORNELIUS
Cornelius Group has appointed Richard Palmer is territory sales manager in the UK for its Performance Chemicals division.
Palmer arrives at Cornelius with more than 20 years of experience in sales and leadership positions across a broad range of industries. He will now be responsible for acquiring new leads and business, while maintaining existing customer relationships.
“I’m delighted to join Cornelius at such an exciting time in the company’s history,” Palmer says. “Cornelius has fostered great relationships with customers and principal suppliers alike, and I look forward to building on these, alongside welcoming new customers to the business.” www.cornelius.co.uk
STOCKMEIER COLOURS IN
The Stockmeier Group has begun distribution of DCL Dominion Colour Corp’s extensive range of organic and inorganic pigments in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, through its affiliates Bassermann Minerals, Kemtan and HDS-Chemie.
“We are delighted that in Stockmeier Group we have found a distribution partner who makes our values and the DCL brand accessible to a wider range of customers,” says Peter Baggen, vice-president of sales of DCL. “In order to continue to successfully expand and develop the market presence, it was urgently necessary to find a partner who would help us.”
“We are very delighted about our partnership with DCL Dominion Colour Corporation. The products are complementary to our product portfolio. This enables us to provide our customers with even more comprehensive solutions,” says Dirk Seidel, managing director, specialty chemicals at Stockmeier Chemie. www.stockmeier.com
NORDMANN WINS DUPONT DEAL
Nordmann Nordic has been selected by DuPont Nutrition and Biosciences as its channel partner for personal care in Scandinavia, Iceland and the Baltic states. Nordmann will represent both the GENENCARE®OSMS portfolio and DuPont preservatives for personal care.
“Our aim is to give optimal service and provide a reliable supply to our customers, therefore we are continuously optimising our network of channel partners in EMEA,” says Vincent Wortel, DuPont’s sales manager EMEA. “DuPont N&B has built a strong collaboration with Nordmann Nordic and we are thrilled to expand our collaboration.” nordmann.global
