Milestones - from the foundation until today
July 2007: As of July 1, 2007, Cognis’ Process Chemicals strategic business unit has been trading as an independent, wholly owned subsidiary under the new name of Pulcra Chemicals GmbH. The carve-out represents a decisive step toward ensuring long-term competitiveness and further enhancing product and service quality for customers in the fiber, textile, and leather industries.
November 2006: Klaus Edelmann succeeds Arnold Kiel as Chief Financial Officer of Cognis.
October 2006: Cognis extends its Management Board: Paul Allen (Executive Vice President Functional Products), Stephane Baseden (Executive Vice President Nutrition & Health) and Richard Ridinger (Executive Vice President Care Chemicals) join the management board.
February 2006: Cognis brings its global oleochemicals business consisting of the areas fatty acids, glycerin, oilfield chemicals, azelaic and perlargonic acid as well as plastics technology into the existing joint venture with Golden Hope Plantations Berhad. The 50:50 joint venture with Cognis Oleochemicals (M) Sdn. Bhd., with its headquarters in Malaysia, will be managed as a subsidiary of the Cognis Group.
January 2005: Cognis relocates its company headquarters from Düsseldorf to Monheim.
March 2004: Arnold Kiel becomes new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
February 2002: Cognis reorganizes its strategic business divisions; the five new business divisions are: Oleochemicals, Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, Process Chemicals and Functional Products.
January 2002: Harald Wulff transfers the management of the company to Antonio Trius, who accordingly becomes the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Together with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Joachim Söhngen and Chief Administration Officer (CAO) Helmut Heymann, Trius forms the new Management Board. The company headquarters are relocated to Düsseldorf.
November 2001: The right of rescission ends on November 12 and the planned contract conclusion is confirmed. The closing transaction (legal transfer of title) takes place on November 30. The aim of the investors is the listing of Cognis on the stock exchange within a period of about three to four years.
September 2001: Henkel signs the contract of sale with investor group Permira Funds, GS Capital Partners and SV Life Sciences Funds, subject to a two-month right of rescission in the light of the terror attacks on September 11 in the USA.
November 2000: Henkel announces its decision to sell Cognis in order to concentrate on the areas "Brands" and "Technologies".
December 1999: The international company management is taken over by the newly formed holding Cognis B.V., based in Roermond, Holland.
August 1999: Cognis is launched – as a specialty chemicals company with a clear profile, specialized know-how and attractive products and solutions geared to profitable future markets.
May 1999: The annual general meeting of KGaA approved with a clear majority the planned establishment of the chemicals division, giving Cognis the green light.
February 1999: The management of Henkel KGaA plans to establish the chemical products division as a legally independent unit trading under the name of Cognis. The new internationally leading specialty chemicals company will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary of Henkel KGaA.