Press Room
April 2, 2003
COGNIS AND JAPAN SUN OIL SIGN EXCLUSIVE SALES AND MARKETING AGREEMENT
Japan Sun Oil will market Cognis Ester Refrigeration Lubricants to the Asia Pacific Market
Cognis and Japan Sun Oil Company Ltd. (JSO) have signed an exclusive sales and marketing agreement today in Tokyo, Japan-- formalizing the established business relationship between the companies. As part of the agreement, JSO will market synthetic polyol ester (POE) refrigeration base stocks and lubricants produced by Cognis. Cognis will contribute ester base stock technology, production, and intellectual property rights to the partnership.
“JSO has a long history of supplying high quality refrigeration lubricants to the Asia Pacific market. They have extensive application and formulation know-how, excellent OEM relationships, and a renowned sales and supply network,” comments Achim Pfeiffer-- V.P. SynLubes Technology at Cognis. “The combination of our two companies for the Asia Pacific market is extremely complimentary, taking advantage of both companies’ strengths and core competences.”
Comments Hiroshi Iguchi, President and CEO of JSO, the Asian subsidiary of Sunoco Inc., “We are very pleased to formalize our relationship with Cognis and partner with a powerful global technology and production leader, recognized for providing high quality products. Both companies can now maximize the value added for our customers in the Asian market.”
Cognis has produced POEs for over fifty years starting with jet engine turbine lubricants in the 1950’s, and has produced refrigeration POEs since the early 1990’s when the product line and intellectual property was developed. Sun Group operates three blending plants in Japan, China and Thailand and has over 20 sales and technology experts operating out of four main sales offices in the Asia Pacific region.
Scott R. Gustafson, newly appointed Market Manager for Cognis Refrigeration Lubricants, will be the primary Cognis contact to JSO. States Gustafson, “This agreement and relationship with JSO demonstrates our commitment to the Asia Pacific market. We will continue to build on our position and excellent relationships through JSO”.
About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients with almost 9,100 employees in close to 50 countries. The company has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agrosolutions and mining chemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2002, Cognis recorded sales of 3,1 billion Euro and an operating profit before depreciation, amortisation and exceptional items (EBITDA recurring) of 393 million Euro.
Contacts at Cognis:
Julie Sheffer, Corporate Communications Mgr., Cognis North America
Phone: +1-513-482-3906
email: julie.sheffer@cognis-us.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Susanne Sengel, Corporate Communications Manager
Phone: +49-211-7940-5431
email: susanne.sengel@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com