NEWS
Combining strengths
SMA Solar Technology and Danfoss create converter alliance Kemira acquires BASF AKD emulsion business MA Solar Technology AG and Danfoss AS plan With the acquisition of Danfoss’ solar inverter
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to enter into a close strategic partnership for a step change in competitiveness. The two leading system technology specialists will take full advantage of economies of scale and joint development initiatives. In addition, Danfoss acquires 20% of SMA’s outstanding shares and plans to sell its complete solar inverter business to SMA. “The strategic alliance with Danfoss strengthens SMA’s leading position in the global photovoltaic market. We are faced with a highly competitive market environment and increased price pressure. In this context, SMA will benefit from Danfoss’ years of experience in automated drives. By establishing a close cooperation there is significant potential to improve the cost position in both companies,” says SMA CEO Pierre-Pascal Urbon.
business, SMA will increase the attractiveness of its product portfolio. After the completion of the transaction SMA will launch new products for the fast growing market segments of medium-sized photovoltaic plants in Europe, China and the USA. Visit: www.sma.de Pierre-Pascal Urbon
Inwido acquires two Danish window companies
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nwido, Europe’s largest supplier of windows and doors, has acquired the two Danish businesses JNA Vinduer & Døre and SPAR Vinduer with a turnover of approximately DKK 155 million. This aquisition is strategically important for Inwido in order to approach the growing consumer market
AREVA and Schneider Electric join forces
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REVA has selected Schneider Electric as its preferred supplier of power equipment for its offshore wind projects. This includes in particular the wind farm of 100 5MW turbines in the bay of Saint Brieuc off the coast of Brittany and the current tenders for the offshore wind farms at Le Tréport off the coast of 18 Industry Europe
on the Internet. The acquisitions of JNA and SPAR are in line with Inwido’s strategy to seek growth both organically and through acquisitions. They are also motivated by the ambition to be represented in the growing market of windows and doors on the Internet – an area where Inwido today has limited presence. “We have seen that certain groups of consumers not only want to get the product information online, but also increasingly want the ability to purchase directly online. The acquisitions of JNA and SPAR gives us an option for this target group,” says Håkan Jeppsson, president and CEO of Inwido. JNA and SPAR will after the acquisition be an independent business unit within Inwido Denmark. Visit: www.inwido.com Haute-Normandie and the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier in Pays de la Loire (France). Developed as part of the offshore wind call for tender program launched by the French government in 2011, these wind farms will not only contribute to France meeting its targets laid down in the EU’s Climate and Energy Package, but also firmly establish a French sector of excel-
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emira is set to acquire BASF’s global alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) emulsion business. “Kemira is a global leader in paper and pulp chemistry and the leading supplier of sizing products for the paper industry. This acquisition of the AKD emulsion business is one part in implementing our strategy and will further strengthen our possibilities to serve our Paper customers especially on the continental European market,” said Kenneth Nystén, senior vicepresident, Regional Business Unit Paper EMEA. With this transaction BASF, the leading supplier of paper chemistry, will further optimise its paper chemicals portfolio in order to focus on customer-oriented products and solutions to improve the efficiency of paper machines and lower the total cost of operation. “In line with our recent announcement we have evaluated all strategic options for the AKD emulsion business and found an excellent partner in Kemira who will ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted supply of customers,” said Andreas Tuerk, senior vice-president, Paper Chemicals Europe. Visit: www.kemira.com
lence for a promising technology. Under the terms of the agreement signed by the two groups, Schneider Electric will supply transformers and circuit breakers for AREVA’s wind farms. These components will be manufactured at two of Schneider Electric’s French industrial sites, located near Metz and Grenoble. Visit.www.areva.com
