Special in silicones CHT R Beitlich

SPECIAL IN SILICONES

CHT R Beitlich has built its reputation on textile chemicals but now it is also making a name for itself in silicone specialities. Abigail Saltmarsh reports.

IT was about seven years now that CHT R Beitlich, headquarters of the CHT/ BEZEMA Group, added another area of speciality chemicals to its portfolio. Since then the German company, which for decades had been known as a textile auxiliaries and dyes specialist and focused production and promotion of silicones specialities.

CHT has very successfully started now to develop further business activities in industrial fields like industrial laundries, building materials, paint & coating industry, paper industry and consumer goods industry. It prides itself on the success it is having in these areas, says managing director and CCO Uwe Halder, and it expects this part of its operation to become increasingly important.

“It was in 2005 that we decided to adapt our strategy and move towards becoming a special chemical company. We decided to implement new fields of activity and to offer customers products to meet their needs,” he explained.

“Over the next two or three years we will be moving even further from being a company that was completely depending on textile chemicals to one where speciality chemicals for other industrial fields account for a larger percentage of our product and sales. Now about 70 per cent of our sales are related products for the textile industry that should change so the balance is 50/50 or even 60/40, with more sales in speciality chemicals.”

A history in textiles

CHT R Beitlich was founded in 1953 and specialised in producing and distributing auxiliaries and dyes as worldwide leading partner of the textile industry. Today CHT/ BEZEMA Group is represented in all major textile countries worldwide and produces

and sells products with more than 1700 employees and 20 affiliates.

By taking charge of the Hansa Textil Chemie of former Goldschmidt AG, CHT R Beitlich GmbH joined the silicone chemistry in 1997. Under the brand name HANSA an innovative portfolio of organomodified silicone oils, formulations and silicone defoamers are developed, produced and distributed for applications in the textile, leather and cosmetics industry as well as in home and car care industry.

The consistent further development led to completion of this innovative product portfolio by silicone additives for further industrial applications such as manufacturing of paints, lacquers and adhesives.

Since 2010 the silicone portfolio of CHT has expanded with silicone elastomers through an acquisition of Alpina Technische Produkte in Geretsried. At the new site CHT

is specialised in the manufacturing of silicone elastomers applied, for example in mould making, rapid prototyping, coating of fabrics and in pad printing.

“We are seeing fantastic growth in these areas, and in silicones in particular,” says Mr Halder. “We expect this growth to continue at a rate of about four to five per cent a year.”

No other class of substance demonstrates a similar diversity of product characteristics as silicone – this includes softness, shine, hydrophobicity, colour intensification and anti-static qualities. The chemicals have an abundance of possible uses from cleaning and treating surfaces in the home (plastics, wood, metal, glass or ceramic) and protecting outdoor articles against the influences of the weather. Dedicated solutions

“The modern and state-of-the-art silicone production facilities open various possibilities for flexible modification and customised product design”, he continues.

Further investment

Today, the company produces from a total of 16 manufacturing sites around the world. These include its facilities in China, India and Peru, where it has seen expansion in recent times.

“Our sites across the world do serve the local market and have seen increasing demand in these places in particular,” he says. “We will be expanding further in new segments and do expect new sites to come elsewhere in the future too through acquisition.”

Investment is ongoing to ensure that the company’s 7000 customers across the globe receive a high quality service at all times. It has recently installed a new SAP ERP system. “This has made a huge difference in terms of speed, accuracy and delivery,” he adds.

The focus, now, he stresses, is very much on the future as a speciality chemicals, as well as textile chemicals, operation. “We are a customer-driven organisation and the aim is to continue to focus on customised product development, mainly in the new segments, that are interested in silicone specialities. We expect to add value to the market and to be able to continue to offer our capabilities in research, development and technical support, which can then lead to more special applications and satisfied customers.” n