2007-06-27
Press release by Hansa Chemie International AG
Wibarco Acquisition by Hansa Chemie International AG Completed
The sale of the BASF-subsidiary Chemical Factory WIBARCO GmbH to Hansa Chemie International AG was completed on 26th June 2007. No additional approvals by authorities are required.
The Chemical Factory WIBARCO GmbH was founded by the company Wintershall AG, Elektro-Chemie Ibbenbühren and the Atalantic-Richfield-Company in 1969. In the year 1970 it started up a large-scale plant for LAB (linear alkyl benzene). At the end of 1973 the Wintershall AG, a company of the BASF-group, took over the share of the Atlantic-Richfield-Company and the Elektro-Chemie Ibbenbühren. In 1989 it was assigned to BASF.
Wibarco, situated in Ibbenbühren/Nordrhein Westfalen (North Rhine-Westphalia), mainly produces linear alkyl benzene (LAB). LAB is the source for linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, which is an essential component of the modern washing agents.
By this, the Hansa Chemie International AG (HCI), Zollikon-Zurich, Switzerland, takes over about 80 employees and it intends to expand this location further on. The management as well as the work council are encouraged and appreciate these intended investments.
With 82% the HCI is the main shareholder of the Hansa Group AG, which is a listed medium-sized and innovative production, trade and service company in the chemical industry. The successful transaction has led the Hansa Group AG to additional orders for the plant components for the sulfurizing plant. Beforehand the Prebasic-Engineering was adapted to the new location by an engineering company.
The acquisition and the simultaneous expansion of the tensides activities of the Hansa Group have prolonged the value chain in terms of a backward integration. The present technical LAB-plant of high quality and the new sulfurizing plant open up long-termed vistas for the LAB-business as well as for the site Ibbenbüren. By this the market position of Hansa is continuously intensified.
HCI, Wibarco and Hansa Group have accepted the challenge, face the future positively and are looking forward to the "new" co-operation.
Hansa Chemie International
The Hansa Chemie International AG (HCI), situated in Zollikon-Zurich is a worldwide operating affiliated company, focussing on the chemical industry. Presently, the group holds considerable shares in chemical companies, in Germany, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, among others. The Hansa Group, listed at the German stock exchange (WKN 760 860) is also affiliated to HCI. By means of systematic investments in producing companies, the HCI concentrates on the long existence as well as on the promising expansion of its chemical locations. Prominent features, such as clear-sighted scheduling, reliability, and realistic performance, but also deep partnership with customers and employees facilitate the enduring success. More information about Hansa Chemie International on the internet: www.hansainternational.ch.