NEWS
Combining strengths
AkzoNobel to acquire Boxing Oleochemicals
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kzoNobel plans to further strengthen its leadership position in speciality surfactants while enhancing its manufacturing footprint in Asia by acquiring Boxing Oleochemicals. Boxing is the leading supplier of nitrile amines and derivatives in China and throughout Asia. Boxing’s activities will be integrated into AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry business, a global leader in the manufacture and supply of speciality surfactants, synthetic and bio-polymers additives, used as formulation ingredients and process aids
URALCHEM and Riga Commercial Port to build new terminal on the Baltic Sea
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iga City Council has issued a permit for the construction of a terminal for the handling and storage of fertilisers − a joint project between URALCHEM Freight Limited (part of the URALCHEM holding) and Riga Commercial Port (RTO, Riga, Latvia). The total investment level will amount to about $70 million. The launch of the first phase with a capacity of two million tons per year is planned for the third quarter of 2013. For the purposes of implementing the project, the two companies set up Riga Fertiliser Terminal Limited, 51% of which belongs to the URALCHEM holding company and 49% to RTO. Currently the design stage of the project is nearing completion. Construction work is scheduled to begin in September 2011. The facility will occupy 12 hectares of the territory of Free Port of Riga. The terminal will be built using latest technologies and the transshipment and storage of fertilisers will be made in enclosed facilities, providing environmental protection and safety for the residents of Riga. Visit: www.uralchem.com
Bosch to take over Unipoint Group Taiwan
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he Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division is set to take over the Unipoint Group, as well as its affiliated companies and the Unipoint and NSA brands. The company is a key producer of starters, alternators, temperature control parts and wiper blades for the aftermarket. In 2010, the Unipoint Group achieved
18 Industry Europe
in many applications ranging from home and personal care to asphalt road paving. “This is an excellent opportunity which couples with our strategic ambition to accelerate growth in Asia with our commitment to locate production closer to our customers,” said Rob Frohn, AkzoNobel’s executive committee member responsible for Speciality Chemicals. “Boxing’s leading market position in amines will complement AkzoNobel’s growing specialty surfactant business in Asia.” Visit: www.akzonobel.com
EADS acquires Vizada for its Astrium Division
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strium, an EADS subsidiary, has entered into an agreement to acquire Vizada from Apax France, a French Private Equity fund and the majority shareholder, for $960 million. Vizada is a leading independent provider of global satellite-based mobility communication services, serving customers across sectors including maritime, aero, land, media, NGO (non-governmental organisations) and government/defence. Via all satellite network operators, it offers mobile and fixed connectivity services both directly and through a
distribution network of over 400 re-sellers. Vizada is present in five continents with over 700 employees. EADS cief strategy and marketing officer Marwan Lahoud said: “Further to the recent acquisitions of Vector Aerospace in Canada and Metron in the US, as well as the ongoing public offering for Satair in Denmark, this acquisition marks a further step towards the realisation of EADS’ Strategy to balance platforms with services, develop business in North America and diversify its workforce.” Visit: www.eads.com
BASF and CSM explore a bio-based succinic acid joint venture
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ASF SE and Purac, a subsidiary of CSM n.v., have announced the start of negotiations to form a joint venture for the production of bio-based succinic acid. The companies have been conducting research under a joint development agreement on bio-based succinic acid since 2009. “Until now our partnership has been very successful, and moving towards a joint venture will strengthen our goal to become the leading supplier in the succinic acid market,” said Dr Andreas Kreimeyer, member of the board of executive directors and research executive director of BASF.
The newly developed process combines high efficiency with the use of renewable substrates and the fixation of the greenhouse gas CO2 during the production. This makes bio-based succinic acid an economically and ecologically attractive alternative to petrochemical substitutes. Visit: www.basf.com
sales of USD 124 million. It currently employs around 2360 people at two production locations in mainland China and Taiwan as well as various sales locations. The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket division has acquired the Unipoint Group with the intention of strengthening its position as the leading supplier of starters and alternators, and also views it as an investment in the tem-
perature control product segment. In addition, it adds another Asian production base to the wiper blade business unit. “Our aim is to further strengthen the position of Bosch as the leading supplier of starters, alternators and wiper blades in the automotive aftermarket,” said Robert Hanser, chairman of the divisional board of the Automotive Aftermarket Division. Visit: www.bosch-autowmotive.com
