Announced on November 8th 2011, this project to acquire the specialty alcoxylate business of SEPPIC* was finalized on December 31st 2011 as planned. This specialty chemicals range will enable Arkema to extend its surfactant range and bolster its positions in industrial niche markets with high growth potential.
Arkema is pleased to welcome into its Specialty Chemicals BU (CECA) within its Performance Products business segment, this activity which employs 50 staff and generated sales of 47 million euros in 2010.
This new specialties range produced on a world-class site in Antwerp, Belgium, will enable Arkema to expand its specialty surfactant range intended in particular for niche markets such as warm asphalt mix for road construction, industrial detergency, and the oil and gas business.
Alcoxylates also represent a key component in the manufacture of certain rheological additives for paint, and are used as ultra high performance concrete additives for high-tech civil engineering structures such as high-rise buildings and bridges. This acquisition will boost the major development of these additives currently manufactured and marketed by the Arkema subsidiary Coatex.
CECA, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group, is a world player in Specialty Chemicals. CECA constantly strives to improve its customers’ performance by creating and developing adsorbents, chemical intermediates, and additives. CECA operates an extensive network of industrial facilities in Europe, together with two research centres (GRL and CRRA) dedicated to Customer innovation.
Coatex, a subsidiary of the Arkema Group, is a global producer of rheology additives. These high-performance and environmentally friendly additives are used in a wide variety of applications, such as paint, paper, minerals processing, detergency, concrete, plaster, ceramics and water treatment.
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, 15,700 employees and 9 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of €5.9 billion, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands. The world is our inspiration.
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* SEPPIC, a subsidiary of the Air Liquide Group, develops and manufactures specialty ingredients essentially for the health and wellness markets (cosmetics, vaccine adjuvants, pharmaceuticals-nutrition).