Febex is a global player in phosphorus derivatives (high purity phosphoric acid, sodium hypophosphite and derivatives), used primarily in electronics and in the pharmaceuticals industry. However, the French specialty chemicals producer said the business had “little integration” with its other activities.

Part of Arkema’s Performance Additives business line, Febex reported sales of around €30 million in 2021, with 59 employees and one production site, at Bex in French-speaking Switzerland.

With the purchase, Prayon said it will strengthen its position in phosphorus chemistry and enter the electronics market, which it says offers strong growth potential in Europe and the US. The buy will also allow it to enter the pharmaceutical sector, gain access to the polyphosphoric acid market and broaden its range of industrial solutions downstream of purified phosphoric acid products.

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist