Akzo Nobel supplies a range of decorative paints, performance coatings and speciality chemicals. It has headquarters in the Netherlands and currently employs around 60,040 people in more than 80 countries. In 2008, it had sales of around Euro15.4bn.
History
Akzo NV was formed in 1969 by the merger of the (Dutch companies) Koninklijke Zout Organon and AKU, and became Akzo Nobel in 1994 after successfully acquiring Nobel Industries.
In January 2008, Akzo Nobel finalised its £8bn ($16bn/Euro11bn) purchase of ICI.
In November 2007, Akzo Nobel completed the sale of Organon BioSciences to Schering-Plough for Euro11bn. The sale was completed after approval was given by the US Federal Trade Commission and the European Commission.
Company movements
In November 2009, AkzoNobel agreed to buy Penford Australia Lane Cove facility at Lane Cove, New South Wales. For more on this please see AkzoNobel buys Penford Australia Lane Cove facility on ICIS news.
Also in November 2009, AkzoNobel signed an agreement to buy Dow’s powder coatings activities. For more on this please see AkzoNobel to buy Dow's powder coatings activities on ICIS news.
AkzoNobel said it plans to merge the company's polymer chemicals activities with its functional chemicals organisation. The changes are due to come into effect on 1 January 2010.
Please see AkzoNobel to realign performance coatings, specialty chems on ICIS news.
In September 2009, Kemira acquired AkzoNobel’s iron coagulant business. Kemira and Akzo Nobel reached an agreement whereby Kemira will take over Akzo Nobel's iron coagulant sales and supply business in Sweden, Norway and Denmark. For more on this story please see Kemira acquires AkzoNobel's Nordic iron coagulant business on ICIS news.
Also in September 2009, AkzoNobel said it will realign its performance coatings and specialty chemicals portfolios, resulting in the launch of two new business units and the merger of two others.
A new wood finishes and adhesives business will be made up of the company’s current wood adhesives and finishes businesses, while a restyled industrial coatings business will be comprised of the present packaging coatings, coil coatings and specialty plastics operations, the company said in a statement.
In April 2009, AkzoNobel acquired the wood adhesives business of Kronochem.
In January 2009, Akzo Nobel completed the acquisition LII Europe for an undisclosed sum.
Also in January 2009, Akzo Nobel agreed to divest its non-stick coatings business to privately-owned US-based company Whitford Worldwide for an undisclosed amount. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2009.
In October 2008, Akzo Nobel bought the Enviroline tank linings and corrosion control coatings business from Industrial Environmental Coatings Corp. Financial details of the transaction, which includes goodwill, intellectual property and dedicated employees were not disclosed.
In August 2008, Akzo Nobel agreed to sell its Crown Paints business in the UK and Ireland plus two Belgian brands, completing a series of divestments agreed with the European Commission in relation to its acquisition of ICI.
Crown Paints is to be sold to independent private equity house Endless LLP while the Belgian brands DeKeyn and Linitop will go to French coatings producer Rieu Investissements.
In June 2008, AkzoNobel agreed to sell the decorative paints brands Para and Crown Diamond in Canada to General Paint. The divestments were ordered by the Canadian competition authorities before the company acquired ICI.
In May 2008, Akzo Nobel signed two separate agreements to acquire Levasil, the silica sol business of Germany’s HC Starck group, and two organic peroxide product lines from China’s Jiangsu QiangSheng. No financial details of the deal were disclosed.
Since the purchase of ICI, Akzo Nobel has restructured into three business units:
(1) Decorative Paints
(2) Performance Coatings
(3) Specialty Chemicals
ICI’s specialty polymer and regional and industrial activities will become part of specialty chemicals; its packaging coatings operation will be under the performance coatings and its decorative activities will be part of the decorative paints unit.
Decorative Paints
This segment includes the acquired decorative activities from ICI.
Performance Coatings
The business group is a producer of paints, finishes, stains and synthetic resins for industrial application, professional painters and the do-it-yourself sector. It is split into the following:
(1) Industrial finishes
(2) Packaging coatings
(3) Marine and protective coatings
(4) Car refinishes
Specialty Chemicals
The business unit is a producer of specialty, functional and commodity chemicals. It is organised into the following growth platforms:
(1) Pulp and paper chemicals
(2) Base chemicals
(3) Functional chemicals (including Elotex from ICI)
(4) Surface Chemistry (includes ICI’s Alco and Personal Care)
(5) Polymer chemicals
(6) Chemicals Pakistan
Akzo Nobel
Strategy & Financial Highlights
Akzo Nobel states that it has made “significant progress” in transforming the company strategically, operationally and culturally, in line with its vision for 2007 and beyond. (Edited from: 'Strategy' and Chairman's statement Annual Report). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Akzo Nobel Strategy & Financial Highlights
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