Kemira has bought Rhodia’s industrial additives business, which includes Rhodia’s plant near Mulhouse, France. Net sales of the business are EUR 16 million, consisting of products and services mainly to the pulp and paper industry, and some toll manufacturing to Rhodia. With the acquisition, Kemira will become a major supplier of process chemicals to the pulp and paper industry in Continental Europe.
The acquisition will give Kemira a broader product offering in Europe, including defoamers, deinking chemicals, and deposit control and dispersing agents. It is a logical and determined continuation of Kemira’s global expansion strategy. As the plant is centrally located near Mulhouse, it will act as a gateway for Kemira’s products to Continental Europe. It will also help Kemira to transfer its current technologies from North America, and thus strengthen the synergies of the Vinings and Vulcan acquisitions. Furthermore, the production technology will enable Kemira to start producing its new water- based, high-temperature defoamers in Europe.
“Investment-wise this is a small step for us, but when we think of all the opportunities the acquisition brings, we are taking a big step towards a wider product and service offering in Continental Europe”, says Juhani Lindholm, Executive Vice President of Kemira’s Pulp & Paper Chemicals. Kemira’s sales and marketing organization will be reinforced with Rhodia’s personnel. “We are pleased to start working with our new colleagues, who will bring valuable knowledge and expertise to both our global and European marketing teams”, states Jean-Francois Caisso, Managing Director of Kemira Chimie S.A., France.
For Rhodia, the sale is in line with their strategy to divest non-strategic assets. Rhodia is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals. It provides customers with a wide range of products and services to the consumer care, food, industrial care, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, automotive, electronics and fibers markets. Rhodia generated net sales of EUR 6.6 billion in 2002, and employs 24,500 people worldwide.
The Kemira Group operates in the chemical industry, focusing on sectors demanding versatile chemical technology. Its total turnover in 2002 was EUR 2.6 billion, and it employs 10,300 people worldwide. Kemira is a leading global supplier of pulp and paper chemicals, and it has designated its pulp and paper chemicals as one of its core businesses and growth areas with a turnover of EUR 600 million.
For further information:
Mr. Juhani Lindholm, Executive Vice President
Kemira Oyj, Pulp & Paper Chemicals
tel. +358 10 862 1606, gsm +358 50 553 4931
Mr. Jean-Francois Caisso, Managing Director
Kemira Chimie S.A.
tel. +33-1-4346 2261, gsm +33-6-8006 9819
Mr. Michael Strand, Vice President
Kemira Pulp & Paper Chemicals
tel. +358 10 862 7285, gsm +358 50 692 85
Mr. Daniel Jürgens-MestreVice President
Rhodia
tel. +33 1 55 38 42 77, gsm +33 608 368 016