News bulletin – chemical distribution

NEWS BULLETIN

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

AZELIS GROWS IN ASIA

Azelis is to acquire WWRC (China) Holdings and Friendship Chemical Company, two Hong Kong-based distributors. Azelis says the move, which aligns with its strategy to support global coverage with local teams, broadens its offerings and provides a base for expansion in the industrial chemicals sector in the wider Asia-Pacific region. Specifically, the acquisitions will provide a strong foothold in the CASE, rubber and plastics additives, and industrial chemicals segments.

“We are excited that this union will grow our business in the industrial chemicals sector as WWRC China’s segments are highly complementary to Azelis China’s,” says Laurent Nataf, CEO/president of Azelis Asia Pacific. “WWRC China has excellent relationships with large Chinese suppliers, creating opportunities to expand with these principals worldwide. We also share the same vision and focus on sustainability and commitment to our partners. The addition of WWRC China’s offices increases our geographical coverage in China, allowing us to better serve our customers.”

Elsewhere in the region, Azelis has struck a new deal with BASF to distribute its resins range in Vietnam. “This partnership strengthens Azelis’ lateral value chain with the addition of market-leading products in multiple market segments, while also extending its global partnership with BASF into new territories,” says Azelis.

“BASF is a prominent player in the chemicals industry that is widely recognised for the innovative and sustainable properties of their products,” says Nataf. “Their resins range is a great complementary addition to our current portfolio. With this collaboration, we are also excited to expand our partnership with BASF and provide our partners in Vietnam and the region with an enhanced portfolio of products that allow us to offer a variety of tailored solutions and innovative formulations for the CASE industry.” www.azelis.com

MORE IN CHINA FOR IMCD

IMCD has agreed to acquire Aquatech Specialty, a distributor of waterborne solutions for the coatings, inks and textiles sector in China. Aquatech was founded in 2004 and in 2020 generated revenues of some €6.7m. It is based in Shanghai and Guangzhou. The transaction is expected to close in November.

“Aquatech’s philosophy of value creation matches perfectly with IMCD’s strategy to become a strong partner for our customers and suppliers for sustainable coatings solutions in China,” says Andreas Igerl, managing director of IMCD China (pictured above).

“With IMCD’s global connection and technical expertise, plus our local presence and capability, I am confident that we will provide more added value to our customers and partners to drive sustainability in the coatings industry,” adds Peter Shek, owner of Aquatech. www.imcdgroup.com

AMERICAS ACTION FOR SAFIC-ALCAN

Safic-Alcan has acquired Rit-Chem, a US-based boutique chemical distributor specialising in the performance and life science sectors. New York-headquartered Rit-Chem will become part of ChemSpec, Safic-Alcan’s US affiliate. “The acquisition of Rit-Chem is a strong step forward for our ambitions in North America and will complement perfectly ChemSpec’s current activities,” says Yann Lissillour, head of mergers and acquisitions at Safic-Alcan.

ChemSpec Canada has meanwhile appointed its first managing director in David Jackson, a 35-year veteran of the chemical industry. In his new role he will be responsible for steering the organisation’s vision and strategy and implementing plans that align with the broader mission of ChemSpec and parent company Safic-Alcan. www.safic-alcan.com

BIG BOYS FOR BIESTERFELD

Biesterfeld has announced two senior appointments. Sergej Lazovic has been named joint managing director of Biesterfeld Spezialchemie, working alongside Peter Wilkes. Lazovic will continue with his role as managing director of Biesterfeld International.

“Together with our partners, we are driving our expansion and growth strategy forward very

dynamically. Th e specialty chemicals division plays a key role in this growth and Peter Wilkes has been further developing and internationalising this division very successfully for many years,” says Th omas Arnold. “Sergej Lazovic is well acquainted with the international business and will help to take it successfully into the future. I’m confi dent that this strategy for success will continue.”

In addition, Magnus Lagerqvist has been appointed managing director of Biesterfeld Spezialchemie’s Swedish subsidiary ABIC Kemi. Lagerqvist succeeds Nicklas Johnson, who is leaving the company after 14 years. “We’d like to thank Nicklas Johnson for his outstanding work and exceptional dedication over the last several years and extend him our very best wishes for the future,” says Peter Wilkes. www.biesterfeld.com

NORDIC CONSOLIDATION

Helsinki-based Bang & Bonsomer has acquired a 51 per cent shareholding in Costech Chemicals, based near Copenhagen, Denmark. Costech specialises in the distribution of raw materials and additives for the personal care, home care and pharma sectors in the Nordic countries. Former owner Klaus Buhl will remain with the company as a minority shareholder.

Th e acquisition of the shareholding is expected to strengthen Bang & Bonsomer’s existing business in the distribution of industrial raw materials in Scandinavia, Finland, the Baltic states and CIS countries; Costech’s organisation will be operationally merged into Bang & Bonsomer’s Beauty & Clean business unit, bringing its well established position and customer knowledge in Scandinavia. www.bangbonsomer.com

BANNER EXTENDS CELANESE DEAL

Banner Chemicals has expanded its longstanding distribution partnership with Celanese, with new arrangements in place in the UK and southern Africa. “Th e recent advancements in our distribution partnership highlight the strengthening of this longstanding relationship. We look forward to growing together and distributing our extensive ingredient portfolios across the world,” says Graham Cauchois, business unit director at Banner Chemicals, part of the 2M Group.

Banner will now be responsible for distributing Celanese’s acetyl product range in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, including emulsion polymers, polymer powders and other intermediate chemicals. In the UK, Banner will add distribution of the Vinamul and Mowilith polymers through its CASE, polymers and lubricants business units. www.bannerchemicals.com

BRENNTAG GOES GREEN

Brenntag has expanded its Household, Industrial and Institution (HI&I) portfolio with an agreement to distribute sustainable bio-based solvents from NXTLEVVEL Biochem in North America. “We are excited to have the opportunity to bring a new innovative solution to our customers from NXTLEVVEL. Having a sustainable alternative solvent will allow our customers to better meet the increasing consumer demands for sustainable cleaning products,” says Dr Jeff rey M Carey, vice-president HI&I Americas at Brenntag.

Th ese bio-based products can help the chemical industry reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon emissions. Th ey are used in applications such as hard surface cleaners, fl oor cleaners, and laundry detergents.

“I’m very excited that NXTLEVVEL and Brenntag are embarking on a relationship to promote our range of biobased solvents in the HI&I industry by leveraging the strength of our technology along with Brenntag’s market-leading position,” adds Aris de Rijke, CEO of NXTLEVVEL Biochem. “NXTLEVVEL’s technology is highly innovative, proprietary and, for the fi rst time, allows the production of levulinate derivatives at industrial scale. Th e cornerstone is the patented biomass-derived levulinic acid technology and its esters enabling the aff ordable production of biobased solvents and other biobased chemicals.” www.brenntag.com