Chemical Distribution

“Quo vadis, Europe?”

Today, economic success is defined by a different perception and practice of supply capability and supply security. This applies not only to the European trade with chemicals but to the entire chemical value chain.

Safic-Alcan Enters Indian Market with a Strategic Partnership with Avees Biocos

Safic-Alcan, a distributor of specialty chemicals, recently announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Avees Biocos Private Limited, a personal care chemical distributor in India.

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and the Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Companies in pharma can improve their raw material sourcing through a strategic partnership with a distributor.

Unipex Solutions Becomes Barentz France

Dutch-based multinational distributor Barentz announced that Unipex Solutions France, which it acquired in 2022, transformed into Barentz France. This new structure marks a major strategic turning point, symbolizing the complete integration of Unipex within Barentz and strengthening its presence in France, the group said.

Azelis Acquires Polish Specialty Chemicals Distributor Hortimex

Azelis has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares of Hortimex, a specialty chemicals distributor active in the food ingredients and nutraceuticals segments serving the Polish market.

Manuchar Acquires Chilean Distributor Proquiel Químicos

Manuchar, a global chemical distributor with headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium, has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Chilean company Proquiel Químicos.

Barentz Acquires Indian Chemical Distributor Anshul Life Sciences

Global specialty ingredients solution provider Barentz International recently announced the acquisition of Anshul Life Sciences in India, a specialty chemicals distributor that caters to regulated pharmaceuticals, food & nutraceuticals, and personal care markets.

Biesterfeld Acquires South African Composite Technology Provider Aerontec

In a move to continue its geographical expansion, Hamburg-based German distributor Biesterfeld has acquired Aerontec, a South African supplier and distributor of advanced composite materials and related technology.

Formulating Innovative Concepts

Matthias Hofmann, Group Innovation & Technology Management Director at Azelis, provides an in-depth insight into the company’s innovation activities and the underlying market trends.

Innovation Through Formulation

Anna Bertona, Group CEO at Azelis, looks back on her first six month in this role and gives an insight into her plans for the company's development.

Sustainable Material Adoption in Industrial Sectors

IMCD Industrial Solutions surveyed top customers around the globe on their insights into eight key topics deemed pertinent to sustainability in industrial sectors. This article highlights some of the most important results.

Brenntag Acquires Specialties Distributor in UK

German distribution giant Brenntag announced the acquisition of Lawrence Industries, an independent specialties distributor in the UK. The transaction, Brenntag said, further strengthens the company’s position within Material Science and across the coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE), construction, polymer and rubber industries. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Azelis Acquires Personal Care Distributor in Indonesia

Azelis continues its acquisition spree, this time adding Indonesian distributor PT Marga Dwi Kencana (MDK) to its portfolio. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

Chemlink Specialities and Addi-Tec Form Harke UK

Germany-headquartered chemical distributor Harke Group announced that its subsidiaries Chemlink Specialities and Addi-Tec have merged and rebranded as Harke UK, effective Feb.1, 2024.

Natasha De Lange Appointed as Managing Director of IMCD South Africa

IMCD has appointed Natasha De Lange as managing director for South Africa, effective Feb. 1, 2024. She will be replacing Ryan Harrison, who will become managing director of Australia and New Zealand.

IMCD Appoints Two New Executive Committee Members

IMCD has appointed Fenna van Zanten, IMCD Group Director, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), and Andreas Igerl, President, IMCD APAC, as new members to its executive committee, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

Chemical Distributor Creates Opportunities Through Innovation

On January 1, 2024, Anna Bertona will take on the role of Group CEO, succeeding Hans Joachim Müller, who will retire after serving more than 11 years in that role. Ralf Kempf asked Müller and Bertona about the foundations for the group's continued success and plans for its future strategic direction.

The Chemical Distribution Industry

Lars Wallstein, IMCD’s Managing Director Germany, who was elected in September as President of FECC – the European Association of Chemical Distributors. He discusses current market trends and the organization's vision for the future of the sector.

Positioned for Growth: The New Age of Winning for Chemical Distributors

By enhancing offerings, ensuring performance, managing costs, and embracing sustainability, distributors prove as essential partners for long-term success amidst evolving challenges.

Brenntag Supports Energy Sector with New US Site in Louisiana

German chemicals and ingredients distributor Brenntag has opened its new facility in Maurice, Louisiana, USA. Strategically positioned along the US Gulf Coast, the new site will be the primary operations hub for Coastal Chemical, a subsidiary of Brenntag, in addition to serving other areas in the region, the company said.

Azelis to Acquire Agrochemicals Distributor Agspec Australia

Azelis has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Agspec Australia, a leading distributor of crop nutrition, crop protection and specialty agricultural products in Australia. Financial terms of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024 and is subject to customary closing conditions, were not disclosed.

DKSH to Acquire Scientific Instruments Distributor Bio-Strategy

DKSH has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Bio-Strategy, said to be the largest independent distributor of scientific instruments in Australia and New Zealand, with a focus primarily on life sciences, medical & healthcare and environment & agriculture.

Azelis Appoints Evy Hellinckx as New CEO for EMEA

Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor Azelis has appointed Evy Hellinckx as CEO of Azelis EMEA, effective Jan. 1, 2024. She succeeds Anna Bertona, who will take on her new role as Azelis Group CEO at the beginning of next year.

Univar Buys Canadian Chemicals Distributor FloChem

US specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor Univar Solutions has acquired Canadian company FloChem and certain of its affiliates, giving Univar access to new market segments and new service capabilities. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Peter Boone to Succeed Hidde van der Wal as CEO of Barentz

Barentz has appointed Peter Boone as its new CEO, effective Oct. 1, 2023. He succeeds Hidde van der Wal, who is to retire after leading the company more than 20 years.

IMCD Acquires Puerto Rican Distributor Sachs Chemical

Rotterdam-based specialty chemicals distributor IMCD has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Sachs Chemical, headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Brenntag Buys Chinese Specialties Distributor Saifu

Brenntag is to acquire Chinese distributor Shanghai Saifu Chemical Development for an undisclosed sum. The transaction is expected to close later this year.

ProductionToGo to Distribute Evonik’s 3D Printing Materials

Evonik has inked a new non-exclusive deal with compatriot ProductionToGo, covering distribution of the German specialty chemicals group’s 3D printing materials.

Chemical Distributors Can Be Successful Through Change

Chemical Distribution in China

The Chinese chemical distribution market is very likely the largest in the world. To be successful in this competitive market, foreign distributors in particular need to consider some important aspects.

IMCD Takes India’s Tradeimpex

IMCD India has agreed to buy Tradeimpex Polymers (India), a distributor of high-performance polymers and engineering plastics. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2023.

Oqema expands its business through the acquisition of Stera Chemicals

Oqema has announced its acquisition of Stera Chemicals, one of the largest distributors of chemical raw materials in Romania.

Azelis Acquires Israel’s Lidorr

In its second acquisition of the year so far, Azelis has agreed to buy Lidorr Elements, a leading Israeli specialty chemical distributor active in the crop protection, industrial materials and care & nutrition markets.

Azelis Acquires Benelux Distributor Smoky Light

Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor Azelis has acquired 100% of Benelux smoke ingredients distributor Smoky Light.

Brenntag and Univar Call off ’Engagement’

German distribution giant Brenntag is retreating from plans to acquire US rival Univar. The company said in an ad hoc statement that it is “no longer pursuing these discussions.”