Press Room
June 29, 2007
Pulcra Chemicals: Cognis carves out Process Chemicals strategic business unit
From July 1, 2007, Cognis’ Process Chemicals strategic business unit will trade as an independent company under the new name of Pulcra Chemicals GmbH. The carve-out represents a decisive step towards ensuring long-term competitiveness and further enhancing product and service quality. Pulcra Chemicals will manufacture a wide range of chemicals for the fiber, textile, and leather industries.
The new company will be run according to a more cost-effective business model that better reflects the needs of its customers. Pulcra Chemicals will develop, produce and market tailored products at competitive prices, backed with comprehensive customer service, including advice on applications. It will operate sites and service centers in Germany, Turkey, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and the USA.
For customers in the fiber industry, Pulcra Chemicals offers additives for the manufacturing and processing of man-made fibers. For the textile industry, it provides products and technical services for every stage of the production process, from the manufacture of yarns and fabrics, through dyeing and printing, right up to the final treatment. Its leather products are used in beamhouse, tanning, and finishing processes.
To enable the company to better meet the needs of its customers, especially in the fast-growing markets of China and other Asian countries, approximately 3.8 million euros was invested last year in the expansion and modernization of its site at Jinshan, near Shanghai, China.
“Becoming an independent company enables us to focus more on our core business,” says Yusuf Aktalay, Group Vice President Process Chemicals and CEO-designate of Pulcra Chemicals. “We will be concentrating on two things in particular: increasing customer satisfaction, and maintaining the strong relationships we have built up over many years. As a global player with over 125 years of experience, we have an in-depth knowledge of both the regulatory environment in our key markets and also the prevailing trends relating to health and safety, ecological sustainability and wear comfort. We are therefore well placed for operational success as we move forward.”
In 2006, the Process Chemicals strategic business unit’s products for the textile and leather industries achieved sales of 258 million euros, up 4.1 percent from the previous year. The growth was primarily driven by strong demand in the Asia-Pacific region.
From July 1, 2007, Cognis’ Process Chemicals strategic business unit will trade as an independent company under the new name of Pulcra Chemicals.
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About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 8,000 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis 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. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The company holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2006, Cognis recorded sales of 3.37 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 394 million euros.
Contact
Susanne Sengel, Senior Communications Manager
Cognis GmbH
Phone: +49-2173-4995-220
E-mail: susanne.sengel@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Viola Stahl, Communications Manager
Cognis GmbH
Phone: +49-2173-4995-221
Email: viola.stahl@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com