Connecting chemistry Brenntag

CONNECTING CHEMISTRY

From food to rubber, from detergent to lubricants: thousands of industries around the world every day rely on products and mixes produced by Brenntag, the largest logistics distribution platform for chemicals, operating in 74 countries. Daniele Garavaglia reports.

“We understand that ‘connecting chemistry’ is more than a slogan: with our activities, we are the link between the basic chemical industry and market users, defining an incredible number of industrial processes and products,” says Ignazio Vullo, chairman of Brenntag Italy. The parent company, the German group Brenntag, is a world leader in chemical distribution with a global network of over 530 offices in 74 countries. With a workforce of over 14,000 employees, in 2015 the group achieved a turnover of €10.3 billion, providing 180,000 customers with over 10,000 standard products and special mixtures.

The Italian headquarters, which employs over 500 workers and has a turnover of €500 million – with an annual growth trend of 15–20 per cent in recent years – is one of the most important international centres, as Vullo explains: “Brenntag operates as a logistics platform to support the needs of a large variety of clients. We connect producers and users of chemicals to create a value-added partnership with distribution solutions, storage and packaging tailored for industrial and special chemicals.” Chemistry is a pervasive discipline: “Everything we use at home – from food products to hand cream, toilet paper and dishwasher detergent – contains substances or chemical mixtures on an ad hoc basis. In various industrial sectors, chemistry has a key role: just think about rubber or cleansing products, pharmaceuticals or cosmetics. We are the specialist hub that, in a focused and

continuous way, supplies customers with all the components and the mixes they need.” Each country is divided into three segments: Material Science, Life Sciences and Environmental. The three segments combine different sectors to meet specific needs and provide quick and easy access to the entire range of products and services.

Global presence

Brenntag Italy has been operational since 1953 and, over the past 20 years, has grown rapidly thanks to a number of acquisitions in different sectors, including rubber, food and lubricants. However, the defining characteristics of the Italian company can be found in two areas, as Vullo explains. “The first is our proximity to the market: we have a presence throughout the national territory, from Piedmont to Sicily, with 12 factories equipped with laboratories and warehouses.”

The second highlights the elevated level of specialisation achieved by the Italians in two fields: rubber and food. “The factory dedicated to rubber, which on behalf of Brenntag manages the global market for supplies to the major tire brands – including Michelin, Pirelli, Continental and Goodyear – is in Turin. In Padua, there is an international reference centre for the food and nutraceutical industry, where we process the mixture of ingredients used in Italy and in all

foreign markets by companies such as Unilever, Ferrero, Invernizzi, Inalpi and Aia.”

The majority of the remaining chemicals are sold to the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, home and professional cleaning sectors. Thanks to its focus on merchandise and commercial exclusivity, Brenntag Italy is gradually increasing its export share, which is slated to rise from the current 20 per cent to 50 per cent in the coming years. And what about its strategic direction? “We have three guidelines: innovation to provide customers with technical and logistical solutions that optimise their processes; continuous investment in the professional growth of our employees; and expansion of the product range, continuing in our acquisition policy.” n Health, Occupational Safety and Environmental Protection at Brenntag

Safety is a top priority at Brenntag. Brenntag and its subsidiaries have long been conscious of their responsibility for environmental protection needs and the health and safety of the employees. Decisions on all levels of the company – be it business management, sales or logistics – take full account of the requirements of health and environmental protection as well as chemical safety. And health, occupational safety and environmental protection also play a key role in the ‘everyday- jobs, like warehousing, order make-up, filling, transport and delivery of chemical products.