News bulletin – chemical distribution

NEWS BULLETIN

CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION

IMCD OPENS WITH A BANG

IMCD has reported first quarter revenues of €748.8m, up 6 per cent on the year earlier figure, with operating EBITA up 12 per cent at €70.9m and net profit up 13 per cent at €50.2m.

“IMCD’s first quarter results were strong with an operating EBITA increase in all regions,” says CEO Piet van der Slikke. “In this extraordinary time, we are fortunate to be able to rely on our excellent staff and strong commercial relationships for the continuation of our business. Whilst adapting working practices to safeguard the health of our employees and business partners, we have been able to remain open for business, even in cases of severe lock-down restrictions.

“However,” van der Slikke (below) continues, “with the duration of the Covid-19 crisis still unpredictable and the severity of its effect on the global economy yet unknown, it is difficult to quantify how it will impact our results in the months to come. We are nonetheless confident that IMCD’s resilient business model and strong financial position will enable us to continue to pursue opportunities for future growth.”

In other news, IMCD has opened a new office in Dubai, expanding its presence in the Middle East and allowing it to serve customers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the UAE and Jordan. The opening follows on from IMCD’s first operations in the area when it opened an office in Cairo in 2018. Manuel Baumann has been appointed as regional managing director to drive IMCD’s growth strategy in the Middle East.

“Throughout our operations around the globe, IMCD’s main focus has been to help our suppliers grow their business and to provide our customers the technical advice and formulatory support they need to create market leading and innovative products. Our principals in the Middle East needed a partner with these capabilities, and from this new office in Dubai, we will be able to provide them, as well as our customers, solutions that help them innovate and grow,” says Frank Schneider, business group director, coatings & construction.

IMCD has also agreed to acquire the pharmaceutical business in China of Develing International Trade (Shanghai), a subsidiary of the Dutch firm Develing that is involved in the sale and distribution of high-quality ingredients for the food, pharmaceutical, chemical and feed industries in China and Vietnam. The acquired business, which has annual sales of some €10m, will be integrated into IMCD China’s Pharma business unit. www.imcdgroup.com

CALDIC BRINGS INDIA TO EUROPE

Caldic has secured a strategic partnership with Veeral Additives to distribute its portfolio of polymer additives in western Europe. Veeral has recently started production of the additives at a new site south of Mumbai, India, currently capable of manufacturing 24,000 tpa phenolic and phospite anti-oxidants, but with the intent to increase output to 40,000 tpa.

“We believe that our customers will strongly benefit from our partnership with Veeral Additives,” says Tom de Bondt, Caldic’s European product manager, polymer additives. “It opens new doors and we will be able to provide our customers with tailor-made solutions adding value to their business. Caldic is looking forward to representing the Veeral Additives range of phenolic anti-oxidants and phosphites.” www.caldic.com

HELM INVESTS IN CHILE

Helm AG has agreed to set up a joint venture with ACF Minera for the production and marketing of potassium nitrate and other products. Under the terms of the deal, ACF will expand potassium nitrate output from its mines in the Atacama Desert in Chile, while Helm will apply its established fertiliser network to distribute the product worldwide.

“This is a landmark agreement for us, as we aim to develop our specialty fertiliser product line,” says Helm’s executive director Olivier Saulnier. ACF Minera’s CEO, Carlos de Urriticoechea, adds: “The partnership with Helm will increase our ability to compete and effectively reach many

more markets. We look forward to combining ACF’s production expertise with Helm’s marketing reach and competence”. www.helmag.com

TER TAKES TREXAN

TER Chemicals has acquired Trexan Chemicals, a well-established US distributor for ExxonMobil Chemical and TSRC/Dexco and a specialist in adhesives raw materials. Trexan handles a number of lines that TER Chemicals distributes in Europe and the deal is expected to enhance TER’s visibility in the US marketplace.

“Our acquisition of Trexan Chemicals complements our overall US chemical distribution offering so we can now provide multiple products to the adhesive formulation industry in the US and Canada,” says Jens Vinke, who has been installed as director of Trexan Chemicals. www.terchemicals.com

BIESTERFELD BIGS UP

Biesterfeld Spezialchemie has entered into a distribution partnership with Omya, covering the distribution of natural and functionalised calcium carbonates for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors in Germany and Austria.

“Biesterfeld will be a strong and reliable partner for us. With their proven experience in the pharmaceutical sector and technology-based consulting, Biesterfeld’s experts can offer a comprehensive range of services. These are the optimum prerequisites for placing our products on the market in the best possible way and to develop the business together,” says Dr Javier Camargo, global business development manager, Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals, at Omya.

Biesterfeld Plastic has appointed Olga Baburina as head of sales for Germany, based in Hamburg. “We are very pleased that in Olga Baburina we have gained a new Head of Sales Germany for our team, who is not only vastly experienced in the field of plastics distribution, but also fits in very well with our team and our strategic orientation,” says Martin Umbach, managing director of Biesterfeld Plastic. www.biesterfeld.com

AZELIES SECURES PERSTORP DEAL

Azelis has secured a new distribution agreement with Perstorp, involving distribution of Perstorp’s polyols and solutions portfolio in parts of northern Europe. “Perstorp’s highquality portfolio is a great new asset in Azelis’ lateral value chain in the respective countries, enabling us to offer innovative, tailor-made solutions to our customers,” says Marnick Tack, market segment director, performance chemicals at Azelis. “This new agreement is also an important acknowledgment of our continuous efforts to build strong and value-added partnerships in EMEA.”

“We are confident that the strategic partnership with Azelis will provide our customers with an outstanding customer service and strong supply chain,” adds Klaudija Cavala, director of chemmel management for Perstorp’s speciality polyols business unit (above). “Perstorp’s decision was driven by Azelis’ commitment to growth and dedicated organisation for each industry, its market knowledge, commercial drive and continuous focus on innovation.” www.azelis.com

ARAKAWA PICKS CAMBRIAN FOR CANADA

Arakawa Chemicals has appointed Cambrian Solutions, a Maroon Group company, to distribute its Arkon® C9 hydrogenated hydrocarbon line in Canada. “We are excited to be partnering with Arakawa Chemical in Canada and bringing their world class technology and market leadership to the Canadian CASE market,” says Greg McDonnell, senior commercial director at Cambrian Solutions.

“We are continuing to expand on our successful relationship with Arakawa and see them as a leader in the hydrocarbon resin industry,” adds Thomas Papasso, Cambrian’s vice-president, principal management. “We are looking forward to bringing these solutions to our customers in Canada.” www.maroongroupllc.com