Kemira increases its market presence in paper chemicals in North America through the acquisition of E.QU.I.P. International, a Canadian paper chemicals company. The deal brings Kemira new niche technologies in process chemicals, thus strengthening Kemira’s position as a major supplier to the global pulp and paper industry. The acquisition increases Kemira’s turnover with CAD 13 million, and creates excellent growth opportunities especially in Eastern Canada, a market similar to the Nordic countries in size and structure.
- This acquisition is important to Kemira because it brings unique competence and technology in our core pulp and paper business. Quebec is an important papermaking area and we are delighted to increase our presence in this market. E.QU.I.P. will increase our service to highly valued customers and Kemira will add additional product offerings to our paper industry customers, says Seth Spurlock, President Kemira Chemicals Canada.
Kemira offers its pulp and paper customers higher production efficiency and better product properties based on environmentally sound solutions. Pulp & Paper Chemicals business’ focus is on retention, sizing, deposit control, defoaming, water treatment, deinking and pulping applications to optimize pulping and papermaking operations as complete solutions.
– The acquisition of E.QU.I.P. is in line with our strategy. By increasing our market presence and expanding the product offering we can better help our customers to meet the highly technology oriented challenges they are facing, continues Michael Strand, Vice President, responsible for mergers and acquisitions in Kemira's Pulp & Paper Chemicals.
Kemira seeks growth in chemicals for the pulp and paper industry, water treatment chemicals, industrial chemicals, and paints and coatings. Kemira's total net sales in 2003 were EUR 2.7 billion and it employed 10,500 people. Kemira has operations in over 30 countries.
Further information:
Juhani Lindholm, President
Kemira Oyj, Pulp & Paper Chemicals
Cell phone +358 (0)50 553 4931, telephone +358 (0)10 862 1606,
Michael Strand, Vice President, Mergers & Acquisitions
Kemira Oyj, Pulp & Paper Chemicals
Cell phone +358 (0)10 862 7285, telephone +358 (0)50 69 285
Seth Spurlock, President
Kemira Chemicals Canada, Inc.
Telephone +1 770 436 1542
Robin Brown, Sales & Marketing Manager
Kemira Chemicals Canada, Inc.
Telephone +1 819 827 1890, cell phone +1 613 340 8152