NEWS
Combining strengths
Sustainable chemistry leader DRT acquires shares in Crown Chemicals,
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BASF to acquire ultrafiltration specialist inge watertechnologies AG
BASF
has signed an agreement with the investor group of Germany-based inge watertechnologies AG to acquire the company and its ultrafiltration membrane business. inge watertechnologies AG is a global leading provider of ultrafiltration technology, a membrane process used in the treatment of drinking water, process water, wastewater and sea water. It is headquartered in the town of Greifenberg near Munich in Germany and employs about 85 staff. With a global reach, the company’s range of products include highly-efficient ultrafiltration modules and cost-effective rack designs which are the core components of water treatment plants. “This transaction is an important step in strengthening BASF’s technology and innovation driven business and is in line with our focus on addressing major global challenges. The deal will further improve BASF’s position in the water treatment industry, which is an attractive and fast-growing market and helps to improve quality of life everywhere,” said Dr John Feldmann, member of the board of executive directors of BASF and responsible for the Performance Products segment. Visit: www.basf.com
DSM to acquire Vitatene S.A.U.
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oyal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, has signed an agreement with P&R Group (Italy) to acquire Vitatene S.A.U., based in León (Spain), a producer of natural carotenoids. The acquisition of Vitatene allows DSM to strengthen the natural carotenoids offerings of its nutrition business as consumer demand for natural products continues to grow.
Solvay and Rhodia to create a major player in chemicals
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olvay and Rhodia have signed a framework agreement according to which Solvay will launch a friendly cash offer for 100 per cent of the share capital of Rhodia. The creation of a new group will accelerate the shared ambition to create a large
18 Industry Europe
global leader in the development of rosin and turpentine extracted from pine resin, DRT has announced the purchase of shares in Crown Chemicals, a company based in India, specialised in the manufacture of synthetic piperonal. This investment reaffirms DRT’s position as a major global player in the development of responsible chemistry. Natural piperonal is obtained from Sassafras oil which is extracted from the roots of the Sassafras tree, a species of deciduous trees in the family ‘Lauraceae’. The massive commercial felling of Sassafras forests, and the absence of any significant replanting programs have forced authorities to protect the species, which is now in danger of extinction. Currently a high proportion of the Sassafras oil available in the world market is being sourced illegally from countries like Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It is estimated that around 5 million trees are cut down each year to meet the worldwide demand for piperonal. Soon this resource will be completely wiped out. These alarming figures drove Crown Chemicals to focus its efforts on developing a synthetic route to manufacture piperonal. Visit: www.drt.fr
Founded in 2004, Vitatene is a leader in the production and sale of a range of high-value natural carotenoid products derived from fermentation of the fungus ‘Blakeslea trispora’. The products are sold under the brand names Betanat and Lyconat. The products are an addition to DSM’s current portfolio of highly functional carotenoids, ranging from beta-carotene to lutein and zeaxanthin. Visit: www.dsm.com global chemical company committed to sustainable development. The new group’s strategy is based on the following strengths: 90 per cent of its combined sales of €12 billion are realised in businesses where it is already among the top three worldwide. Solvay is a leader in high performance specialty
polymers, in soda ash and hydrogen peroxide, while Rhodia holds leadership positions in speciality materials (silica, rare earths), products for consumer markets (surfactants, natural polymers, acetate tow) and engineering plastics based on polyamide 6.6. Visit: www.rhodia.com
