News bulletin – chemical distribution

NEWS BULLETIN

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

SOURCING SOLUTIONS

There have been several developments over the last few weeks for Univar Solutions. Firstly, Univar’s board of directors has approved officially changing the corporate name from Univar Inc to Univar Solutions Inc, effective 1 September 2019. “This name change marks another completed milestone as we progress on the integration of the legacy Univar and Nexeo chemical, ingredient and distribution businesses,” says David Jukes, Univar Solutions president/CEO. “I’m pleased to see our integration consistently moving forward as we combine the best of the best and deliver increased value to our customers and suppliers.”

The shares of common stock will continue trading under the ticker symbol UNVR on the New York Stock Exchange, and the assigned Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number will remain the same.

There have also been business developments as Univar Solutions has been selected by BASF as the US distributor for a range of products. Univar will be distributing the Lupragen® amine catalysts on a national scale and will be the Midwest distributor for Baxxodur® polyetheramine curing agents and chain extenders.

Joey Gullion, vice-president focused industries US at Univar Solutions says: “Utilising our market-leading supply chain with BASF’s high-quality [portfolio] will benefit our customers who count on us to bring technical solutions to their formulation requirements. We look forward to this new and exciting agreement.” Univar Solutions is well positioned to represent these specialty products in the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) and polyurethane markets.

Additionally, Univar Solutions is to distribute Eastman Turbo Oils and Skydrol™ aviation hydraulic fluids to the military aviation market, leveraging its expertise to broaden the availability of these products to clients. Turbo Oils and Skydrol have been in use for more than 50 years across a range of military specifications and functions.

“We are extremely excited to represent Eastman’s interests in military markets,” says Matt Mannette, business manager for military and aerospace at Univar Solutions. “Not only does this agreement continue to strengthen our companies’ existing relationship, it also allows both of us to better serve this extremely dynamic market segment.” www.univarsolutions.com

BUSY BIESTERFELD

The Norwegian distribution company Lindberg & Lund Group has been acquired by Biesterfeld Spezialchemie. Lindberg & Lund distributes raw materials and formulated products, including lubricants, construction adhesives, solvents, composite materials, castings and auxiliaries, across the Nordic region, operating branches in Sweden and Finland.

“The range of products and services offered by the Lindberg & Lund Group perfectly complements our portfolio in the area of performance products,” says Peter Wilkes, managing director of Biesterfeld Spezialchemie. “Furthermore, this step will allow us to expand our strategic presence in Europe and to extend to Scandinavia and Finland.” www.biesterfeld.com

US PHARMA SCOOP FOR LBB

LeBaronBrown Specialties (LBB) has entered into a strategic partnership with Meggle Excipients and Technology, effective 1 August. The partnership covers distribution of Meggle’s excipient products to US pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. LBB’s subsidiary companies – American International Chemical and Charkit Chemical Company – will share responsibility for sales, marketing and distribution in the US market. Meggle selected LBB as it can readily service customers in the US.

“Representing Meggle is a tremendous addition for Charkit and AIC,” says Jay Lang, Charkit president. “Meggle is one of only a

handful of manufacturers of pharma-grade lactose excipients in the world, and they are well known for the excellent quality of their product portfolio.” www.lebaronbrown.com

ACCESS TO CASE

Azelis Americas CASE is to become the exclusive distributor for certain BASF Intermediates products, effective 15 October. Azelis will supply PolyTHF®, 1,5 pentanediol, 1,6 hexanediol and Capromer Poly-CLO® into the CASE and plastics markets of the US. Complete formulation services will also be provided.

Dan Gruber, managing director, Azelis Americas CASE, says: “We are pleased to be expanding our relationship with BASF’s Intermediates division. These products are used throughout the CASE market, from coatings for fabrics to construction adhesives. All of our US-based customers will now be able to access our formulation expertise for Intermediate products by BASF.”

Azelis Americas CASE already has an extensive relationship with BASF, serving as a distributor for many BASF strategic business units throughout the US. Earlier this year, BASF CM selected Azelis Americas CASE to distribute its polyurethane product line throughout the US, and BASF’s ED division had already done so for the dispersions and resins products across the US. www.azelis.com

CHA NGING THINGS UP

Brenntag plans to convert its legal form from a German stock corporation (AG) into a European company (SE). The decision was made by the management supervisory boards who consider the European company form best for modern corporate structure. “Brenntag is an international group headquartered in Europe and employing people from over 100 nations, of whom 90 per cent work outside Germany,” says CEO Steven Holland. “The Societas Europaea as a supranational legal form stands for our global orientation and identity and the transformation is a consistent step in the further development of our company.”

Meanwhile, Brenntag has become the exclusive sales and marketing distribution partner for the cosmetic active ingredients of INABATA France. The agreement covers Germany, Austria and Switzerland (the DACH region). INABATA has years of expertise in pharmaceuticals and pharma products through its subsidiary Pharmasynthese, and this collaboration will provide a great platform for DACH businesses to be introduced to the INABATA range of actives, the company says. Patrick Koch, Brenntag’s business manager pharma and cosmetics in the DACH region, adds: “I am delighted that INABATA have appointed Brenntag as their exclusive distributor in the DACH region. We look forward to promoting INABATA´s active ingredients. I am sure this will become a successful long-term partnership.”

Furthermore, Brenntag Specialties is to become the exclusive distributor for BASF’s amine curing agents in the western and south-western US, effective 15 October. The deal will cover the Baxxodur® amine product line including the polyetheramine and isophroediamine lines, composed of prepolymers, curing agents and chain extenders.

“We are proud to expand our relationship with BASF,” says Ted Davlantes, vice-president, coatings and construction, Brenntag North America. “This collaboration provides our customers the convenience of developing and sourcing their entire formula from one source. In addition, customers are fully supported with a dedicated team of industry experts and a broadened product portfolio.” www.brenntag.com