The paper chemicals business deal between Kemira and Klebstoffwerke Collodin Dr. Schultz & Nauth GmbH of Frankfurt, Germany has been closed after having been approved by the German competition authorities. The acquired paper chemicals business represents sales of about EUR 3.5 million per year, mainly in Germany and France.
The acquisition includes the transfer to Kemira of manufacturing and application technology for rosin sizes - a significant part of the acquired business - and wet end chemicals. The sales personnel from the paper chemicals business will transfer from Collodin to Kemira Chemie GmbH,in Alzenau, Germany. The production of rosin sizes will be transferred to Kemira Chemie Ges.mbH in Krems, Austria. During a transitional period, Collodin will toll manufacture paper chemicals for Kemira. All former Collodin customers will be served by Kemira Chemie GmbH, Germany.
The acquisition reinforces Kemira's market position in Central Europe as a provider of paper sizes and other specialty chemicals for the paper industry. Paper sizes are used to improve paper and board printability and water resistance.
Kemira is one of the leading global suppliers of pulp and paper chemicals. The company has designated pulp and paper chemicals, which have a turnover of EUR 600 million, as one of its core businesses and growth areas. Kemira's total turnover in 2002 was EUR 2.6 billion, and it employs 10,300 people.
Further information:
Kemira Chemicals Oy
Michael Strand, Vice President
Tel. +358 10 862 7285, mobile +358 50 69 285
Pulp & Paper Chemicals
Kemira Chemie GmbH
Frank Wegener,
Tel. +49 6188 4490 0, mobile +49 171 5 888 107
Managing Director
Kemira Chemie Ges.mbH
Johannes Fallmann,
Tel. +43 2732 711 557 254, mobile +43 664 100 1705
Managing Director