02_08 Year 19 www.brenntag.com

North America New Personal Care Applications Lab

El Salvador 30 Years Of Ongoing Growth

Oil & Gas Global Contract For Shell Netherlands Refineries FECC Annual Congress New Distribution Center “Partnership For Success” In Rotterdam  What’s New 

What’s New Netherlands – New Site In Rotterdam 3 Ukraine/Russia – Brenntag Expands Network With Dipol 4 Netherlands – Brenntag Acquires C. N. Schmidt 4 UK/Ireland – Albion Supplies Water Purity Chemicals To Scottish Water 5 8 Belgium/Sweden – Brenntag acquires Yara chemical supply activities 6 Brenntag Special- FECC Annual Congress – Partnership For Success 7 ties USA opened a new personal care Slovakia – Brenntag Acquires Chemical Distribution Activities Of Centralchem 7 laboratory in New Jersey. USA – New Personal Care Applications Lab  Netherlands – Food Seminar With Gourmet Chef 8 Oil & Gas – Contract To Supply Shell Around The Globe 9 Specialties Europe – Interview With Dr. Christian Ohm 10

16 Companies In Focus Specialties Europe – Image Project  Numerous guests joined Brenntag to celebrate the Brenntag Latin The Netherlands opening of the new ultra-modern distribution center America focuses El Salvador – 30 Years Of Ongoing Growth 4 in Rotterdam. on specialty chemi- cals and aims to Latin America – Concentrating On Specialties 6 remain the partner of choice in the Partners And Products New Distribution region. Norit NV – 1,001 Applications For Activated Carbon 9 Personal Care – Customer Day Dedicated To Naturalness 22 Center In Rotterdam Inside On June 13, 2008, Brenntag officially opened a new site in the “Chemiehaven” Brazil – Salespersons Of The Year Honored 23 port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in the presence of numerous guests. 25 Germany – Brenntag Teams Participate In Local Fun Run 23 The Brenntag IT Spain – Plant Kiosk Closes Technological Gap 24 “Thanks to the efficient set-up and delines regarding safety, health and leader in independent storage and team recently brought the busi- Switzerland – ARIS Platform Improves Workflow 25 the flexibility created through the environment (SHE). More than 30% handling of liquid petroleum pro- connection with the Vopak terminal, of the total investment was earmar- ducts, chemicals, vegetable oils and ness processes in USA – Leading The Way In Customer Service 26 Switzerland into this new site will support the further ked for SHE expenditures. liquid gas. u top form using the USA – Brenntag Committed To Safety 27 development of Brenntag in the Ne- The new site is built on an area of ARIS platform. Belgium – Fire Department Drill With 150 Participants 28 therlands in terms of the distribution 30,000 m² adjacent to the Vopak ter- Contact: Marja Kooijman of solvents and chemicals as well as minal, together with which Brenntag [email protected] Photo: bisonrallyteam.nl Poland – Brenntag Receives Award From Forbes 28 our service and quality for customers has developed an innovative and ef- Poland – Seminar: Getting Down To The Meat Of Things 29 and suppliers,” said Steve Holland, ficient integration of the new facili- Germany – Emergency Drill At Brenntag GmbH 30 Chief Executive Brenntag Europe, at ties: Solvents are stored in Brenntag’s 31 the opening. At the new facility, which own underground tanks of 50 m³ each Germany – Safety Training For Professional Drivers 30 Jean-Pierre replaces the former location opposite as well as in high-volume tanks of 800 Jacobs, Brenntag Employee Profile– Jean-Pierre Jacobs: Full-Throttle Through Central Europe 31 of the Chemiehaven, Brenntag will m³ to 1200 m³ at the Vopak site. The sales engineer from Puzzle 32 store, handle and distribute a broad two sites are connected via pipeline, Facts And Figures the Netherlands, range of bulk and packed solvents which allows Brenntag to handle the put the pedal to and other products. products at its own site. “Also other the metal in the Central Europe The new facility features an ultra- partners can take advantage of this Total area: 30,000 m² Rally 2008. modern area for loading solvents into cooperation; for example by storing 12,600 pallet spaces trucks. Drums are filled at one of the their products at Vopak and using the Title image: Official start of operation of the distribution center in Rotterdam (from left 4 filling stations for drums and IBC containers to right): Jan Joop Alberts (General Manager Sourcing Industrial Chemicals Europe), drum-filling stations, automatically Brenntag facilities for handling and 1 filling station for canisters Carl Blomme (Managing Director Brenntag Benelux), Harry van Baarlen (Commercial palletized and subsequently trans- distribution,” says Carl Blomme, Ma- 40 underground double-walled tanks Director Industrial Chemicals) and Steve Holland (Chief Executive Brenntag Europe). ported to a warehouse for storage. naging Director Brenntag Benelux. 2 mixing tanks Another warehouse was built to store Brenntag Nederland B.V., a leading 12 tanks (800 - 1200 m³, connected to Vopak) to store Published by: Editor: Editorial Partners: Picture Desk: Publishing House: packed products. Both warehouses distributor of chemicals in the Nether- Brenntag Holding GmbH Simone Jähnel Christoph Wennekers (CvD), Jens Peters, Frank VVA Kommunikation Düsseldorf deliveries from ships (inland and seagoing vessels) Tel.: + () /- Sebastian Arackal, have a capacity of 6,300 pallets each. lands with more than 240 employees, Hubertus Spethmann (V.i.S.d.P.) Schuberth 7702 VVA Kommunikation Essen Photos: 10 km of stainless steel pipeline Stinnes-Platz  VVA Kommunikation Essen The site also has extensive mixing and belongs to the Brenntag Group. Roy- Email: simone.jaehnel Tel.: + ()/   57 Brenntag (unless otherwise specified) D- Mülheim an der Ruhr @brenntag.de Email: [email protected] Design: blending facilities and a new office al Vopak operates more than 76 tank 4 tank truck filling stations with integrated weighbridge Email: hubertus.spethmann Sonja Komander, Translation: @brenntag.de VVA Kommunikation Essen PS Translation, Germersheim building. The new facilities comply terminals in 31 countries. The Dutch 8 tank truck unloading stations Brenntag together is published in German, English and Spanish with a circulation of 14,700 copies and online on www.brenntag.com. with the strictest regulations and gui- company is the international market  What’s New 

Ukraine/Russia The headquarters of Brenntag Acquires Albion Chemicals in Chemical Distributor in Glasgow. The Netherlands Brenntag Expands AMSTERDAM C. N. Schmidt B.V. is fo- cused on the distribution of specialty chemicals in the Netherlands and Bel- gium and was acquired by Brenntag Network With Dipol in August 2008. Founded in 1921, the company works primarily in the food, Brenntag further expanded its distribution network in the Ukraine, pharmaceutical, rubber and water treatment sectors. Carl Blomme, Man- Russia and the Baltic states with the acquisition of Dipol Chemical aging Director Brenntag in the Ben- International Inc. in early August 2008. elux, comments: “Together with C. N. Schmidt we expand our existing prod- Steve Holland, Chief Executive Brenntag creases our presence in Russia. We see uct portfolio, our services and our know-how in the specialty chemicals Europe, says: “With Dipol Chemical In- huge potential in this area and want to market. With the joined forces Bren- ternational as our partner, Brenntag participate in the growth of this region. ntag will be the most attractive part- takes a further important step in Furthermore this cooperation is an ner for customers and suppliers in the strengthening the distribution network ideal foothold to enhance Brenntag’s Benelux region.” in Central and Eastern Europe. We attractiveness for suppliers and custom- Steve Holland, Chief Executive Bren- would like to extend a warm welcome ers in fields such as food, cosmetics, ntag Europe, sees this acquisition as to both employees and management of construction, paint & varnish, automo- UK/Ireland the ideal complement to Brenntag’s distribution network in the Benelux Dipol.” tive and oil & gas. We are very excited region: “In C. N. Schmidt we have Founded as a chemical consulting about this acquisition and we are look- found a strong and experienced dis- company in the US in 1994, Dipol is now ing forward to future development.” tributor of specialty chemicals. This a leading distributor of polymers and Dipol estimates demand for poly- Albion Supplies Water Purity acquisition enables us to strengthen specialty chemicals in the Ukraine, Rus- mers in the Ukraine alone at 850,000 our position in the important Benelux sia and the Baltic states and also pro- tons per year with above-average markets as well as our business in vides services in Belarus and Moldavia. growth rates. The majority of specialty Europe.” Chemicals To Scottish Water The company posted external sales of polymers for the booming construction, Contact: Marja Kooijman US$ 100 million in 2007. Dipol operates automobile, packaging and household [email protected] a well-established distribution network goods industries there are imported, In early May 2008, Albion Chemicals signed a 1.3 million euro via offices and warehouses in Kiev, St. primarily from Western Europe. The Petersburg, Moscow and Riga and acts upcoming UEFA Euro 2012 soccer cham- contract with Scottish Water for the storage and supply of water as a distributor for such renowned com- pionships to be held in the Ukraine and purity chemicals. panies as Arkema, Clariant, DOW, DSM, Poland are additionally stimulating mar- DuPont, Huntsman, Ineos and Ineos ket demand. These are excellent start- Albion Chemicals installed a dedicated fresh drinking water and treats near- Brenntag Group. Albion Chemicals has Nova. The Kiev site is ISO 9001:2000 cer- ing conditions for the distributor Dipol, customer storage facility at its Glas- ly one billion litres of wastewater. more than 850 employees and sup- tified. Dipol supplies a variety of indus- which like Brenntag is well-known gow site to provide on-demand deliv- plies 18,000 customers from 18 strate- tries, typically as a single-source sup- among its suppliers and customers for ery to Scottish Water. Kim Connor, Leading The Way With Comprehen- gically located sites. The company of- plier. outstanding consulting services and Quality Manager at Albion Chemicals, sive Services fers both industrial and specialty u The upcoming UEFA Euro 2012 soccer championships Helmut Struger, Managing Director expertise. is pleased about the future coopera- The Albion Chemicals Group is the chemicals as well as an extensive port- are providing additional stimulus to the Ukrainian Brenntag CEE GmbH, says: “The acquisi- tion: “We are delighted to be the leading chemicals distributor in the folio of services for a variety of cus- economy: new streets and stadiums (photo: Donezk) tion enables Brenntag to enter the mar- Further information: supplier of choice for Scottish Water. UK and Ireland and a member of the tomers in a diverse range of market are being built and airports are being expanded. Dipol’s expertise and distribution capabilities are in ket in the Ukraine and substantially in- www.dipol.net Albion remains committed to provid- sectors. high demand in related industries. ing localized customer service in Scot- It supplies 35% of the total coagu- land and that is clearly a priority for lants and inorganic liquids required Scottish Water.” in the water treatment industry, thus FACTS AND FIGURES Steven Carvel, Commercial Con- contributing to the safe provision of BRENNTAG CEE tract Manager at Scottish Water, com- water for 80 % of the UK population. ments: “Albion Chemicals will now be Part of the agreement involves stor- With sales of EUR 680 million in engaged in our supplier development ing ultra-low bromate sodium hy- program where innovation and effi- pochlorite, a new addition to the 2007, Brenntag Central and Eastern ciencies are eagerly pursued. Work- already extensive range of water Europe (Brenntag CEE) is the leading ing effectively together we aim to treatment chemicals stored at the chemicals distributor in the region. provide the best in class value propo- Glasgow site. u Brenntag CEE is established in sition for all our customers.” Scottish 14 countries with 1,400 employees. Water provides high-quality drinking Brenntag CEE supplies 32,000 water to over two million households Albion Chemicals installed a customers from 50 locations. dedicated storage tank for water across Scotland. Every day the com- treatment chemicals to ensure on- Foto: actionpress pany supplies 2.3 billion litres of clear, demand delivery for Scottish Water.  What’s New 

Belgium/Sweden FECC Annual Congress In Hungary “Partnership For Success” Brenntag acquires Yara 300 members of the European Associa- gress addressed such important is- which was one of the reasons for se- In his talk, Steve tion of Chemical Distributors (FECC) sues as the increasing importance of lecting Budapest as the venue for this Holland described opportunities for gathered at the annual congress in Bu- private equity investors in the chem- year’s event. growth for chemical dapest in early June 2008, this year with icals industry and developing the During meeting breaks and the distributors in chemical supply activities Central and Eastern the theme “Partnership for Success.” markets of Eastern Europe, especially gala dinner in particular, countless Europe as well as In late April, Brenntag acquired the chemical supply activities of Yara Inter- markets in the Benelux countries, The participants from Western and Russia. Steve Holland, member of the experiences, strategies and of course Russia. national ASA, Oslo, at the sites in Köping (Sweden) and Tertre (Belgium). France, Germany, Sweden and North- Eastern Europe, the US, Mexico, Bra- Executive Board of Brenntag Holding business cards were exchanged, ern Europe. zil, India, China and South Africa dis- GmbH and head of European busi- making this year’s FECC Congress “With the acquired business Bren- cussed the role of partnerships and ness, touched on the opportunities the ideal networking event for all This means Yara fulfills the conditions They are also employed in the manu- ntag Nordic will strengthen its lead- cooperations between chemical dis- for the industry in these regions, stat- those involved. u imposed by the European Union for facture of non-military explosives and ing position and become even more tributors, their suppliers and custom- ing: “Companies that invest in their approval of the acquisition of Kemira to reduce nitrogen oxides in power competitive in serving their custom- ers in improving the supply chain. employees, in infrastructure and in Further information: GrowHow Oy, a Finnish manufacturer plants, combustion facilities and the ers,” says Michael Pieters, Managing Otto Linher, representative from the international standard for health, www.fecc.org of fertilizers and industrial chemicals. glass industry. Director Brenntag Nordic. Pierre the EU Commission, reported on the safety and the environment can Brenntag will take over industrial Brenntag Nordic took over respon- Claeys, Sales and Marketing Manager current guidelines of the REACH Ini- achieve sustainable growth in the sales of ammonium nitrate solution, sibility for activities in Köping in ear- Distribution, Brenntag NV, comments: tiative regarding “only representa- countries of Central and Eastern Eu- aqueous ammonia and weak nitric ly June 2008, while the Tertre site has “We supply our customers through- tives” (ORs). ORs are companies or rope.” He used the success story of acid in Köping as well as ammonium belonged to Brenntag NV, Belgium out Europe via truck and rail and offer individuals that pre-register or regis- Brenntag CEE (Central and Eastern nitrate solution, aqueous ammonia, since July 1. In both cases, the pur- additional interesting synergies with ter chemicals on behalf of non-EU Europe) to illustrate his informed and and weak and concentrated nitric acid chase package included the related respect to the existing Brenntag prod- manufacturers. Because non-EU man- detailed lecture. in Tertre. These products are used as loading and distribution facilities. The uct portfolio.” Steve Holland, Chief ufacturers without a subsidiary in the The number of FECC members has raw materials or intermediates in a new sites are located in the middle of Executive Brenntag Europe, adds: European Union are legally forbidden been continuously increasing for variety of chemical applications, in- important industrial countries, allow- “We are proud of the addition of the from registering their chemicals un- years and currently comprises all of cluding plastics and fine chemicals. ing Brenntag to secure significant activities in Sweden and Belgium to der REACH, they are allowed to ap- Western Europe as well as Hungary our international network and look point an exclusive representative and the Czech Republic. Numerous forward to strengthening and grow- (“OR”) for this purpose if they want national associations and companies ing the businesses of our customers to continue to export to the EU. In from Eastern and Southeastern Eu-

with the unique service Brenntag pro- addition to REACH, talks at the con- rope are applying for membership, FECC Foto: vides.”

Products For Environmental Protection Brenntag is Yara’s distribution part- ner for AdBlue, an ultra-pure urea Brenntag Acquires Chemical Distribution Activities Of Centralchem solution used as a reducing agent in SLOVAKIA On January 9, 2008, two originally operated as a sales channel Further information: New members of the Selective Catalytic Reduction the Brenntag team: years of purchase negotiations be- for the products of its parent com- www.brenntag-cee.com André Detiège and (SCR) technology. As the top interna- tween Brenntag and Centralchem were pany, Detox. On the basis of these Evelyne Willaert in tional producer of mineral fertilizers, successfully concluded. As part of the products, in particular organochlo- Tertre (upper photo) technical gases and nitrogen oxide purchase agreement, Brenntag will rides/chlorinated hydrocarbons, the and Carl Norell and take over one of Centralchem’s two company was quickly able to supply Agnetta Ahlkvist in products, Yara helps provide food for chemical distribution units in Slovakia. an extensive, practically exhaustive Centralchem’s site in Bratislava Köping. the growing world population. The company will retain the other divi- range of chemical raw materials. By The industrial product portfolio sion, the distribution of laboratory gradually adding new raw materials includes environmental protection chemicals, under its original name and to its product lines and massively ex- agents to safeguard air and water continue these activities in an agreed- panding its sales area, the company purity and products to ensure food upon volume. established itself as a distributor of quality. The tremendous diversity Rudolf Bezák, Managing Director chemical products throughout Slova- and ongoing knowledge exchange of Brenntag SK, says: “This acquisition kia. Centralchem opened a branch of the company’s workforce of more means a long-range strengthening of office in Bratislava in 2003. Brenntag’s position in the Slovakian As part of the agreement, Brenntag than 8,000 employees worldwide market. It also brings with it an in- in Slovakia also took over three em- make Yara a leading performer in its crease in sales, an increase in internal ployees who were a major factor in the industry. u operating profit and a significant success of the company. Rudolf Bezák growth in production.” adds: “Within just a few months of the Centralchem started distributing acquisition, it was evident that we Contact: Michael Pieters chemical products in the central Slo- made absolutely the right decision. [email protected] vakian market in 1995 – about the The results look promising and initial same time as Brenntag. Centralchem synergies are being established.” Pierre Claeys [email protected]  What’s New 

North America Brenntag Supplies Shell With SulfrZol® 54 Sulphiding Agent

Brenntag Oil & Gas signed in May Photo: Shell New Personal Care Applications Lab 2008 a global contract to supply Shell Brenntag Specialties Inc. (BSI) is formulas, including lip balms, sun- BSI has been supplying the cos- extensive of the three labs and performs with SulfrZol® 54, a sulphiding agent pleased to announce the opening of screens, foundations and pressed metics industry with high-quality the broadest range of tasks. It is respon- used in the fuel company’s refineries. Shell has been using SulfrZol® 54, a the new personal care applications powders. New ingredients will be in- inorganic pigments and minerals for sible for the quantitative and qualitative di-t-butyl polysulphide chemical, for lab at its headquarters in South Plain- corporated as BSI’s product line ex- more than 30 years. The services of analysis of all incoming materials. This catalyst pre-sulphiding at various Eu- field, New Jersey. pands. the company include modifying ma- lab also provides product support for ropean sites since 2004. Examples of “Personal Care is a focus market for terial characteristics through differ- sales and marketing and ensures that successful projects include refineries us, as more and more customers are Exceptional Formulation Skills ent types of surface treatment. “This product quality meets specifications. in Stanlow (UK), Pernis (the Nether- reducing in-house lab capabilities,” Karl Gordon, Manager Technical Serv- allows us to enhance the reactivity The analytical lab also performs testing lands) and Godorf (Germany). As part says Michele Margherita, Brenntag ices, will oversee this new facility in and adhesion of the treated pigments and certification procedures on selected of the agreement, Brenntag Oil & Gas In the new personal supplies a total of 30 Shell refineries North America Personal Care Market- addition to the existing color and ana- and materials or to provide other im- USP/FCC products that are marketed care applications worldwide, of which 10 are based in laboratory (from left to ing Director. “We believe we can grow lytical laboratories, also on site. New portant characteristics from the do- under the BSI private labeling pro- Europe. This makes Brenntag one of right): Kailas Patel profitably by investing resources of chemist Christina Morgan, Personal main of surface chemistry,” explains gram. (chemist), Michele the leading distributors in the market Margherita (Personal value to our customers.” Care Applications Specialist, brings Thomas Grunstra, BSI Director Mar- The color lab has been utilized for of sulphiding chemicals. Care Marketing Future projects for the new applica- with her more than ten years of hair keting Personal Care. Pigments and many years to support the industrial pig- Baijan Azimzadeh, Product Manager The Shell refinery in Director), Karl Gordon tions lab will include improving cus- and skin care formulation experience minerals most frequently used in the ments business, including, but not lim- at Brenntag Oil & Gas Europe, was assisted in closing the agreement Port Arthur, USA (Manager Technical tomer formulations and creating ad- and has exceptional skills and knowl- cosmetics industry include iron ox- ited to ultramarine blue and iron oxides. by Will Bridges from Brenntag subsidiary Coastal Chemical in the US Services) and Christina and by the Lubrizol Corporation, manufacturer of SulfrZol®. Together Morgan (Research and ditional prototypes for specific cus- edge in creating prototype formulas ides, ultramarine blues, manganese The recent addition of Sun Chemical’s they convinced Shell that catalyst pre-sulphiding using SulfrZol® 54 Development, tomers. The lab will also test new and customer formulation solutions. violets, chrome hydrate, chrome ox- organic and pearlescent pigments for Formulations) has a number of safety advantages. SulfrZol® fulfills stringent envi- ide greens, talc, colloidal kaolin, the Industrial Market, and BASF’s pear- ronmental standards and saves both costs and energy. With its high sericite, mica, bentonite, titanium lescent pigments for the Personal Care flash point of 100ºC, the product is safe and easy to handle. No spe- dioxide and zinc oxide. These raw Market, will generate significant activity cial measures are required with respect to production, packaging, substrates are further enhanced to in this area. The color lab has also been transportation, storage or clothing. Moreover, SulfrZol® 54 does not improve skin feel, texture, adhesion, expanded to include the evaluation and have an unpleasant odor. Brenntag is the official distributor and service provider on behalf of dispersibility and water repellency. development of new and competitive Lubrizol. “The numerous visits, projects and promotions around BSI Technical Services operates a total colors for cosmetics applications, ena- SulfrZol® are finally paying off,” says Azimzadeh. “When I started in of three labs focused on quality control bling us to develop lab blends to match my position, the product was hardly recognized in the market. Both and applications chemistry, and per- existing customer’s shades. u clients and catalyst manufacturers were very skeptical and tended to forming services such as quality assur- go with traditional sulphiding products, such as DMDS (di-methyl ance, product inspection, testing, iden- Contact: Michele Margherita, di-sulphide). Fortunately, Shell has now recognized the safety advan- tification, traceability and recommenda- Thomas Grunstra, tages of SulfrZol® 54.” Brenntag Oil & Gas anticipates that many other refinery operators will follow Shell’s example. tions for correcting and improving proc- [email protected], esses. The 8-member team consists of [email protected] Contact: Baijan Azimzadeh two managers, three chemists, two sam- Further information: [email protected] ple room clerks and one administrative www.brenntagspecialties.com secretary . The analytical laboratory is the most

The Netherlands use in his beverages and desserts. Bren- Front row, from left to right: ntag experts suggested their product Ron Blaauw (celebrity chef and owner of the 2-Michelin-star Food Seminar With Gourmet Chef Sucralose, which turned out to be the restaurant of the same name), perfect fit. The professional chef was Frank Haven (Managing The Food division in the Netherlands in his work, fits perfectly with our strat- Brenntag believes that there is sig- also impressed with the binding agent Director of Brenntag Specialties in the Netherlands) and Willem has teamed up with renowned and egy and way of thinking. We are proud nificant potential for growth in food Methocel (HPMC), which is used to sta- van Dam (Business Manager Life innovative Dutch celebrity chef Ron to be working with him and are certain additives within the Dutch hotel & ca- bilize food preparations. Willem van Sciences (Food, Feed & Pharma) Blaauw. it will help to bring the Brenntag cus- tering industry. Dam, Business Manager Life Sciences, in the Netherlands). Back row, from left to right: Dietmar and Brenntag is the leading supplier of tomer event up to the next level.” In is convinced that both sides benefit Joris (cooks at Ron Blaauw’s food additives in the Netherlands. Ron October, Ron Blaauw took part in the Innovative Ingredients from this partnership: “At Brenntag we restaurant), Stephan Paul (sales Blaauw runs a two-Michelin-star res- Brenntag workshop at the Higher Ag- Culinary professionals are looking fur- are extremely good at finding solutions engineer at Brenntag) and Menno Post (sous-chef at the taurant near Amsterdam. Frank Haven, ricultural School (HAS) in Den Bosch ther for innovative ingredients and are for specific food requirements. For ex- restaurant) Managing Director of Brenntag Special- (Netherlands), discussing innovative beginning to see the world of opportu- ample, we know how to thicken an oil therefore Ron Blaauw creates culinary Contact: Willem van Dam ties in the Netherlands, is very pleased food concepts with customers from the nities that lies ahead. Ron Blaauw for dressing and how to make a mousse solutions for our customers. This is [email protected] with the new cooperation, comment- food industry and preparing a selection instance was searching for a quality that keeps its texture and stability. How- where our relationship with Ron Blaauw Further information: ing: “Ron Blaauw, being so innovative of delicious dishes. sweetener with an improved taste for ever, we are not professional chefs and is so helpful.” u www.ronblaauw.nl/english 10 What’s New 11

Brenntag Specialties in Europe foundations for achieving our goal: to outpace market growth in Europe. In this regard, the creation of the new position of Marketing Director of Eu- “Our employees are the key ropean Specialties is a clear indication of where the company wishes to go. to our success” You mentioned honing the compa- ny’s profile on the European specialties market. Is the organiza- Since June 2008, Dr. Christian Ohm has been Marketing Director of Brenntag Specialties tional structure suitable for this? in Europe. He talks to together about how he sees his new role and what he deems to be In my opinion, the structure has proved important for ensuring the long-term success of Brenntag in the specialties market. its worth but still has much potential to develop further. In the specialties area, the national organizations can What are your impressions of a flexible and highly competent part- by offering a range of innovative prod- turn to “European” colleagues – EBDMs Brenntag after your first few ner. ucts and services, backed-up by a (European Business Development Man- months? Is this also how Brenntag is seen on world-class logistics network. For agers) and EMMs (European Marketing I was very impressed by the sheer va- the market? Brenntag, being competitive means Managers) – for support in the increas- riety of Brenntag’s international spe- Not quite, in my view. In Europe, Bren- providing not just the right price, but ing pan-European nature of their busi- cialties business and, needless to say, ntag is seen above all as a major play- the right overall service package. I ness. The EBDMs or EMMs of the eight by the people who are so committed er in the distribution of industrial have every confidence that this ap- specialty segments – Food, Pharma, to the success of the company. In ad- chemicals. The fact that Brenntag is proach will enable us to extend our ACES, Personal Care, Feed, Polymers, dition to this, I see Brenntag as a very now also the European number one in leading position within the European Cleaning and Water Treatment – pre- dynamic business that has the poten- specialty chemicals is not yet known specialty chemicals market even fur- side over the European panels for the tial for significant future growth. In throughout the market. However, we ther in the future. segment in question. Represented in short: my first impressions and experi- are working hard to rectify this. I am also very enthusiastic about our the panels themselves are the special-

ences have been extremely stimulat- new image brochures for Personal ists from within the individual countries Dr. Christian Ohm (l.), ing and positive. Can you give a few examples of how Care, Food, Pharma and ACES. We will who are responsible for the segment. Marketing Director you are going about this? be using the core messages and motifs In other words, we bring together all the Food and Pharma areas in Nu- of the day, the satisfaction of our busi- Brenntag Specialties in Europe, talking to And how do you rate the company’s By ensuring that Brenntag is seen as a of these brochures for our internation- of our international expertise in order traceuticals. In addition to the existing ness partners. Hubertus Spethmann, prospects in the specialties business? partner that genuinely adds value to al trade fair activities, which in turn will to develop strategies that will drive our committees featuring national manag- Another key success factor in my Head of Corporate I think that we are already well posi- the supply chain, and by actively in- help hone the profile of our company. European business forward and deliver ers from each country, the EBDMs/ view is mutual trust. In other words, Communications Brenntag Holding tioned on the international market. creasing the awareness of our range our key objectives. EMMs will be coming together on a agreements must be honored and the We have noted that our suppliers and of products and services. However, everyday work has shown monthly basis, as of September 2008. “door should always be open”. I deal customers are gearing their activities Suppliers and customers essential- Is “distributor” still an accurate that there are overlaps that need to be The objective of these meetings is to with problems as soon as they arise more and more towards the European ly expect the same things from us: description of what Brenntag does? managed efficiently. My goal is to share new developments and oppor- and try to solve them by means of per- or even the global market. Above all, They want access to the market knowl- Not really. I see the term “distributor” make greater use of the transfer of tunities and, following this, to discuss sonal interaction. This is how I wish I see significant potential in helping to edge and expertise of our technical as being too narrow a description of knowledge at a European level, above together with colleagues and employ- for my performance to be judged. drive forward the development of their specialists and expect us to enhance the wide range of services we provide and beyond the individual segments. ees new ways in which our goals can business, by ensuring that Brenntag is their credibility and competitive edge in the specialties business. In actual A prime example of how successful be successfully implemented. I firmly How do you find the people at fact, we are a very important link in this can be is the cooperation between believe that we are in an excellent po- Brenntag? In profile: Dr. Christian Ohm the value chain, involved in all stages sition with this “individual country/Eu- To answer this question, I would from new product development, ropean” organizational set-up. need to get to know more people in through logistics, consulting and ac- the company and find out exactly what Dr. Christian Ohm was born in Leverkusen-Opladen, Germany, in 1955. In tive support, all the way to final And motivated employees are an they do. For this reason, but also to 1981, he graduated from the University of Bonn with a degree in processing. absolute must. gain a better understanding of how chemistry, followed by a doctorate in organic chemistry three years later. Quite right. For me, our employees are things work in each individual country Dr. Ohm began his career at Bayer in Leverkusen in 1984, where he Does the creation of the new the key to our success; they are the and region, I am currently visiting all headed the Polymer Development laboratory in the Rubber division. In Marketing Director position signify company’s most important asset. European countries. This is a very ex- a major structural change within the I see that more and more responsi- citing and interesting process. I have 1991, he moved to Bayer subsidiary Polysar Rubber Corporation in Sarnia company? bility is being transferred to employ- rarely seen so many colleagues and (Canada), where he was department head in the area of Research & No, I would be more inclined to say ees and that their workload is increas- employees all fired up to “do busi- Development. In 1994, Dr. Ohm returned to Leverkusen to assume a that it signifies a new departure and ing. Communication is playing an ever ness”. The goal of not only keeping the managerial position in the area of Rubber Marketing. In 1996, he took an increased focus on further develop- more important role. I believe that standard high, but working together responsibility for the regional coordination of North America/Mexico for ing this growth business. As I men- providing ongoing training and keep- to make it even higher, is something Bayer AG. Having been appointed head of Marketing & Sales for tioned earlier, Brenntag also aims to ing employee know-how up-to-date is that I have sensed everywhere. u “Inorganic Basic Chemicals” in 2000, he took over as manager of the entire IBC area the following year. continue enhancing its profile – both the only way to meet the high require- Since June 2008, he has been Marketing Director of European Specialties at Brenntag. internally and externally – as a Euro- ments that exist in this business. After Contact: Dr. Christian Ohm Christian Ohm is married and has three children. pean company in the field of specialty all, their motivation is the key for the [email protected] chemicals. In this way, we can lay the quality of our services and, at the end 12 Companies In Focus 13

Brenntag Specialties Europe That sounds complex… and Polymers, we identified three ally emphasizes the position of Bren- Susanne Schnaufert: It is indeed. Au- common values as cornerstones of ntag Specialties within the company thenticity is an elementary factor in the subsequent communication con- and makes a distinctive impact in the identifying and successfully establish- cept: Passion – People – Performance. market. „Shared Values, Shared Success“ ing a common image for the Euro- Using these values as a guideline, we pean specialty chemicals business. teamed with our business develop- What kind of challenges does one Brenntag Specialties Europe has positioned itself for success by initiating a And this is a character trait that can ment managers to develop concrete face in this type of project? broad image project. be found in our employees. Some 200 content for the respective industries Hubertus Spethmann: Sharpening the European colleagues in Specialty and and implemented this content in the brand image of Brenntag Specialties For several months now, Brenntag Industrial Chemicals helped initiate form of brochures, advertisements, Europe and achieving consistency Specialties Europe has marketed and shape the project from the bot- product lists, websites and at fair within Europe are pretty much the itself with the slogan “Shared tom up. This is the only way we can stands. greatest challenges. We work on this Values – Shared Success.” Could you ensure that an internally developed project daily, developing the next bro- explain the key messages of this image manifests itself externally, with And how did “Shared Values – chures, fair presentations, websites, project?. respect to our business partners. Shared Success” emerge as the advertisements and trade press inter- Hubertus Spethmann: In this project, Special thanks are due to the Eu- slogan of the project? views in a step-by-step manner, in we highlight for our business part- ropean Business Development man- Susanne Schnaufert: The slogan close co-operation with the teams ners what Brenntag is today in the agers and all the colleagues who “Shared Values – Shared Success” is from the eight industries. Ultimately European specialty chemicals busi- participated in the workshops with the culmination of our common val- the image is defined by the people ness and our performance edge: de- such dedication and intensity. We ues of “Passion – People – Perform- who transport the messages to the finitive market leadership in specialty could not have achieved such a high ance” and our core strengths in the market on a daily basis. u chemicals distribution, outstanding quality without the tremendous sup- domains of sourcing, technical exper- teams of experts and a unique net- port of the entire team. tise, sales and logistics. This slogan work allow our customers and suppli- reflects all of these aspects: it is the ers to achieve long-range profitable What does the image involve in declaration of a common goal uniting growth. Brenntag also offers applica- concrete terms and what were the Brenntag Specialties Europe and helps tion consulting services, individual next steps you took? eliminate the patchwork image we solutions and innovative marketing Claudia Barian: Initially, we were look- are often perceived to have in the strategies across all country borders ing to develop a common image for market. and product segments. Brenntag Specialties in Europe to un- Corporate Communications to- mistakably communicate Brenntag’s Why does every publication feature gether with Brenntag Specialties Eu- expertise as market leader. Over the a Brenntag Specialties logo? rope was commissioned with com- course of various workshops with ap- Claudia Barian: The Brenntag Special- An example of the new fair stand municating and marketing the advan- proximately 200 employees from all ties logo has already been deployed design: here we see the Brenntag tages of this highly successful model eight industries, in other words ACES, in the United States with great suc- Claudia Barian, Corporate Personal Care stand at InCosmetics Communications 2008. for the respective industries – making Personal Care, Food & Nutrition, Feed, cess. It thus made sense to use it in the most of our talents, so to speak. Pharma, Cleaning, Water Treatment the image project for Europe. It visu-

Susanne Schnaufert, Project Manager

Hubertus Spethmann, Head of Corporate Communications 14 Companies In Focus 15

El Salvador 30 Years Of Ongoing Growth Brenntag El Salvador has enjoyed 30 years of successful business. The latest highlight in its ongoing development: the expansion and modernization of its site in Soyapango, San Salvador.

“The cooperation with internationally headquarters in Houston, Texas. Bren- (further information available online Grounds for celebration (from renowned suppliers, a regional pool ntag El Salvador complies with all cur- at brenntagla.com). A current statistic left to right): of regular customers and a commit- rent standards and is strongly commit- indicates 901 days without a plant ac- Salvador Paredes, ment to continuously improving safe- ted to plant safety, which is recognized cident – an indication of how effective Operational Manager Brenntag ty have helped establish Brenntag as and appreciated not only by custom- the safety programs are. Brenntag El El Salvador, Juan one of the leading distributors in El ers but by the authorities as well. On Salvador has been ISO-9001 certified Gómez de la Torre, Salvador,” remarks Julia Emma Gra- February 10, 2008 for instance, Bren- since 2006 and currently employs a General Manager Central America, nada, Commercial Manager Brenntag ntag received a public award from the workforce of 24. Julia Emma Granada, El Salvador. fire department of El Salvador. A key Commercial Since acquiring HCI in 2001, the element in promoting quality, safety Broad Product Portfolio Manager Brenntag El Salvador and Brenntag subsidiary is organized un- and environmental protection is Bren- The history of the El Salvador sub- Federico García, der Brenntag Latin America with ntag Latin America’s CASA program sidiary began on February 15, 1977 Financial Manager Brenntag El Salvador. Selected Suppliers Of Brenntag The new tank Central America with the establishment of the Chemi- from nearly all the business divi- 345,000 liters. Dry goods storage was installation in Soyapango cal Center. The company began with sions. increased 34%, while storage for flam- six employees in a rented warehouse The chemicals distributor expand- mable products was expanded by Ajinomoto · ANSAC · Arch Chemical · in the city center of the capital San ed and modernized its site in July 38%. Juan Gómez de la Torre, Region- Celanese · Cognis Mexicana · Salvador. The Center then constructed 2007. Brenntag El Salvador supplies al Manager Brenntag Central America, Degussa México · Dow Chemical · its own building in the district of Soya- customers throughout the country comments: “A number of challenges ExxonMobil · Jungbunzlauer · pango in 1982, with total storage (see also INFO) from its base in Soya- had to be overcome over the years, Quimpac Silicatos y Derivados · space of 3,060 m². Solvents were the pango, where the distribution center but they all ultimately contributed to Solvay · Stepan · Wacker main product at the time and con- boasts an area of 4,385 m² since ex- the success of Brenntag in El Salva- tinue to play an important role today, pansion. The new facilities were offi- dor.” u currently accounting for more than cially inaugurated in November 2007. 45% of sales. Today the product port- Brenntag made major investments in Contact: Julia Emma Granada folio of Brenntag El Salvador also in- all areas of the site. Tank capacity for [email protected] cludes a diverse range of products instance increased 67% to reach

The team from Brenntag INFO: El Salvador El Salvador with commercial managers from Brenntag Central El Salvador, which means “the Savior” in Spanish, is the America: Julio Campollo Guatemala Honduras (Guatemala), Delmi de smallest country in Central America (21,000 km²) with the Romeró (Honduras), Denis highest population density (6.7 million inhabitants). It Barria (Panamá), Norma Roldán (Costa Rica), Juan borders Guatemala, Honduras and the Pacific Ocean. El Gómez de la Torre Salvador is characterized by a range of volcanoes that divide (General Manager the country into three regions: the southern coastline, the Brenntag Central San Salvador America), Gus Oorthuys central plateau and valleys, and the northern mountains. (Manager Brenntag Export, Netherlands) and The highest mountain is El Pital (2,730 m) on the border to Sweder van Rijckevorsel Honduras. The highest volcano is Santa Ana in the west, (Brenntag Latin America, with an elevation of 2,365 m. El Salvador’s main exports are Houston). coffee, sugar, shrimp, textiles, cotton, gold and chemicals. The country imports primarily machinery, food, textiles, Pacific Ocean vehicles and crude oil. 16 PartnersCompanies And In ProductsFocus 17 Foto: DOG-Chemie DOG-Chemie Foto:

Latin America Polymer Additives And Elastomers In Latin America Brenntag Latin America promotion (from left): local trade fairs Expoplast in Peru and Plastimagen in Mexico, customer visit, and reception for customers.

Brenntag Latin America is increasingly concentrated on specialty chemicals. The new field of polymer additives and elastomers has already proven highly successful.

Brenntag Latin America conducted a daily use must be imported. The var- tations of our suppliers. We are com- Penuela (Andino Norte) and Marcelo Brenntag is establishing itself in bination with service.” market study in late 2006. The 2005 ying laws from country to country mitted to being the partner of choice Nacif (Cono Sur). They all have many the market as a full-service supplier. In addition to distributing top- figures indicated a distribution vol- also hinder business activity. But it is for the distribution of specialty chem- years of experience in these markets Mark van der Meulen, Development quality products, Brenntag offers out- ume of some $100 million for polymer amazing what Brenntag LA has ical products.” and have succeeded in attracting nu- Manager for Polymer Additives & standing technical support to ensure additives and elastomers and strong achieved despite these difficulties. merable renowned customers and Elastomers, reports: “As a result of that it achieves its ambitious goals. growth in Latin America. At 11,000 Michael Hansson, Director of Strate- Outstanding Employee Training suppliers within a short period of Brenntag’s ongoing commitment to On the basis of this philosophy, Bren- km long and 5,000 km wide however, gic Sourcing for Brenntag Latin Amer- A key component in this strategy is a time. These managers and their sales improving quality and safety, we are ntag Latin America sought and found the dimensions of this market are im- ica, explains: “By providing thorough sales force with outstanding training. teams convince local customers the leading distributor in Latin Amer- suppliers with similar goals. “In the mense, with gigantic forests and long marketing intelligence to principals Regional managers have been as- through meticulous lead manage- ica. As such, we target the top end of meantime top-quality manufacturers mountain ranges. Manufacturing is and customers supported with an un- signed responsibility for local sales ment including product samples, the market and offer an added value actively pursue us to have their prod- relatively limited in the area from matched and proven logistics net- structure and strategy at Brenntag sales literature and comprehensive package, to both customer and pro- ucts placed at Brenntag,” Mark von Mexico to Chile and from Ecuador to work, we are certain that we will be Latin America, including Carla Castro product information in close coop- ducer. Our value proposition is based der Meulen is pleased to report. In Brazil. A large share of articles of able to outperform the growth expec- (Mexico and Central America), John eration with suppliers. on selling branded products, in com- distributing polyolefins and PVC ad- 18 Companies In Focus Partners And Products 19 Photo: Norit Photo:

On-site with customer PROINSUELAS in Colombia. Brenntag Polymer Additives & Elastomers Team Andino Norte captures the Latin American market.

ditives, Brenntag Latin America works which is essential in marketing special- for example with Songwon, the sec- ties. ond-largest producer in the world in “The combination of technical de- terms of both product range and ca- velopment, logistics security, quality pacity. For rubber additives, Brenntag suppliers and open communication partners with Sinorg, Kemai and Deut- made possible for instance with SET is sche Oelfabrik (DOG). The coopera- the key to growth,” comments Michael tion with DOG was recently estab- Hansson. “The transparency we pro- lished, thanks to an introduction from vide by giving our strategic partners SELECTED SPECIALTY CHEMICALS Brenntag Nordic which had several access to a web-based tool will defi- SUPPLIERS years of good experience. Other part- nitely be a very important component ners of Brenntag in Latin America of our future success.” u include Sekisui, Rhodia, Silberline and The laboratories, offices and production facilities of DOG- Wacker (see also: “Selected Specialty Contact: Mark van der Meulen CHEMIE have been based at the Port of Hamburg since Chemicals Suppliers”). Michael Hans- [email protected] 1902. DOG-Chemie is internationally active as a specialist in son adds: “Every partner is analyzed Further information: additives for the rubber, lubricant and coating industries. with respect to potential synergies www.brenntagla.com Brenntag Latin America works closely with its sales and and common objectives.” Norit NV technical customer support departments. Transparency In Communication Brenntag is in the process of branch- SILBERLINE is a world leader and global supplier of high- ing out into additional specialty fields 1,001 Applications For quality special effect and performance pigments that outside the traditional Latin American dramatically enhance the visual appeal of coatings, paints, domains of Agro and Oil & Gas. The inks, plastics and textiles. Brenntag serves as Silberline’s main focus will initially be on Per- distribution partner in Mexico. Activated Carbon sonal Care, Paint Inks, Coatings, Ad- hesives and Polymer Additives & Elas- SONGWON Industrial Co., Ltd. is the world’s second-largest tomers. Norit 'leading in purification' is a strong, well-known brand in the market for activated manufacturer of phenolic and phosphite antioxidants. The It is essential to keep close track of carbon. The company’s cooperation with Brenntag dates back to 1926. range of products distributed by Brenntag includes the developments of all product lines Songnox® phenolic and phosphite antioxidants, Songstab involved. In order to make communi- It was nearly a century ago that Norit carbon ever since. Today Norit is a technology – more than 15 million stearate, Songsorb® UV absorber and Songlight hindered cation between all parties as transpar- 'leading in purification' began the global company, leading the way in cubic meters daily. The activated car- aminic light stabilizers. ent as possible and facilitate mutual production of activated carbon on an purification solutions based on acti- bons needed for this are produced or understanding of priorities, Brenntag industrial scale. Company founder A. vated carbon technology. The Norit reactivated in a multitude of sites in recently introduced a web-based Sales Wijnberg developed a method for group supplies consumables, compo- the Netherlands, Italy, the UK and the Further information: Efficiency Tool (SET). It gives selected decolorizing sugar syrup in the refin- nents, systems and solutions for eve- US, with company participation in www.dog-chemie.de partners in the supply chain online ac- ing process to produce white sugar. ry step of the water and beverage Mexico and Brazil. Norit 'leading in www.silberline.com cess to relevant information on current Headquartered in Zenderen, the Neth- value chain. Some eight percent of purification' is also an active member www.songwonind.com projects. This enables Brenntag Latin erlands, the company has been one the world’s population for instance in a number of initiatives dedicated America to provide transparency, of the leading producers of activated consumes water purified by Norit to meeting the growing demands for 20 Partners And Products 21

sanitation equipment and clean wa- the symptoms of food poisoning. And tively burn holes in the carbonized A PERFECT TEAM: ter. René Kuipers, CEO of Norit NV, during the time of Columbus, sailors raw material to create a multitude of BRENNTAG AND Norit says: “The development and applica- used to blacken the insides of water pores inside the carbonaceous ma- tion of high-quality purification tech- barrels with fire, having observed that trix. In chemical activation, phosphor- nologies allows us to find the ideal the water would stay fresh much ic acid is used to generate a similar The initiative of Hanne Geiger, Sales Executive at balance between ecological, sanitary, longer by doing so. This beneficial porous system at lower tempera- Brenntag Nordic, landed a lucrative new customer for safety and economic considerations behavior of carbonized materials has tures. Brenntag’s partner Norit 'leading in purification'. After and work toward our goal of a sus- to do with the phenomenon that con- Purification is the primary field of reading an online article from the Norwegian environ- tainable future.” taminants, typically organic com- application for activated carbon. The mental agency, she quickly established contact between pounds, tend to accumulate on sur- vast porous structure of the carbona- Norit and a potential new customer, manganese producer Broad Spectrum Of Raw Materials faces – a process commonly referred ceous matrix allows activated carbon RDMN. Norwegian daily newspaper “Rana Blad” even A wide spectrum of raw materials, to as adsorption. It was the adsorp- to eliminate unwanted contaminants reported on this development, excerpted here: including peat, wood, lignite, coal, tion of organic compounds from the from all types of streams (both liquid coconut shells and even olive pits, are water that impeded the growth of and gas) in a cost-effective manner. RDMN Stops Mercury Emissions used to produce a vast array of acti- bacteria in the sailors’ barrels. Like- But the unique porous structure lends vated carbon types. The portfolio of wise it was adsorption of the toxins itself to many fields of application products available for delivery is ac- emitted by ingested bacteria that re- outside of purification, for instance On Friday, Rio Doce Manganese Norway (RDMN) cordingly diverse. By controlling vari- duced the effects of food poisoning as a catalyst carrier or in gold extrac- tested the newly installed equipment from Dutch ations in physical nature (powdered, in Ancient Greece. tion. Exciting new fields of use con- manufacturer Norit… The pilot plant will run until a broken granular or extruded), particle tinue to be discovered today. permanent solution for removing mercury is found. size (from extremely fine powders to A Spoonful For A Soccer Field Managing Director Svein Are Olsen from RDMN says 4-mm extrudates), degree of activa- It is the physical nature of the surface Brenntag Supplies Numerous that this plant will be used as a fully operational tion, purity, and through specific after- that makes adsorption occur. In the Customers pilot plant to test how efficient this solution is in treatments such as impregnation, case of activated carbon, it is prima- Brenntag assists Norit 'leading in pu- the longer run. The process is based primarily on Norit 'leading in purification' can offer rily the sheer size of the surface that rification' with its state-of-the-art the addition of activated carbon… a carbon type for every application. makes it so effective; a single spoon- distribution network. For instance According to the manufacturer, this should remove “You never need to force fit a Norit ful of activated carbon can easily con- Brenntag Nordic acts as a distributor 97-99% of the mercury in the flue gas from the carbon.” tain the equivalent surface area of an of Norit products in the four Nordic Purification by activated carbon is entire soccer field. This surface area countries of Sweden, Finland, Norway sinter plant … Process Metallurgist Johan Eilertsen

a proven, modern, state-of-the-art is created during the activation proc- and Denmark. Applications for Norit Norit Photo: from RDMN explains that the pilot plant injects technology with a long tradition for ess. The most common process is products lie primarily in pharmaceu- activated carbon into the airflow from the sinter a multitude of purification needs. The steam activation, in which steam mol- ticals, food & beverage, drinking and plant. Mercury in the air stream binds with the Additional Opportunities For Growth Ancient Greeks used charcoal to ease ecules at approximately 1000°C selec- waste water, chemicals, mining, cata- activated carbon and is then collected in filter In Environmental Protection lysts, and gas & air. Bengt Unnefors, bags... Brenntag Product Manager, com- Increasingly stringent environmental Brenntag provides support for ments: “Brenntag Nordic supplies legislation is another factor that could Norit’s own sales force. Backed up by Contact: Hanne Geiger Norit’s more than 200 different grades stimulate business. Bengt Unnefors a team of application specialists, it [email protected] of activated carbon to numerous cus- remarks, “Activated Carbon is a long ensures that customers in more than tomers in all fields of application. established, well known product. 150 countries around the world are Many customers receive deliveries Norit Activated Carbon is introducing adequately served in meeting their from our distribution warehouses, new and improved grades to meet the purification needs. “Wherever you are, but we sometimes also ship bulk or latest market needs.” Demands on there is always a Norit representative packed goods to customers directly wastewater treatment for instance at hand” – and this is also true for its from the factory.” have increased both at the municipal sister companies providing membranes, Bengt Unnefors adds: “The ambi- level and in the pharmaceuticals in- valves, CO2 recovery and analytics The photo was taken during a joint product seminar May 20-21, 2008 tion of Norit in Brenntag’s Nordic re- dustry. Wastewater must be carefully under the umbrella of Norit. u in Stockholm, attended by 20 sales representatives from Brenntag gion is to be the market leader in the treated to remove hormones, drug Nordic and Norit. Martin Fisher, Area Manager at Norit (left) and next four to five years.” The prospects residues, pesticides, herbicides and Contact: Bengt Unnefors Bengt Unnefors, Brenntag Product Manager (right). certainly look good: “Norit 'leading other substances. The corresponding [email protected] in purification' is a reliable partner regulation has already been included Further information: with outstanding expertise that can in an EU Framework Directive for wa- www.norit.com help us develop the market and give ter scheduled to come into force in us more opportunities to grow our 2015. Affected companies are begin- business. The name Norit 'leading in ning the necessary preparations much purification' itself is a unique selling earlier. The new European HACCP proposition. Additional quality fea- (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control tures include secure and reliable de- Points) guidelines for food and phar- liveries, custom support, special maceuticals will also lead to an in- equipment and a well-trained sales creased use of activated carbon for force.” purification purposes. Photo: Norit Photo: 22 Partners And Products Inside 23

Brazil creativity and especially team work. Salespersons Of The Year Honored Thanks Brenntag!” Ederson Botjuk has been with the company for twelve years and adds: “The award is an in- Foto: mauritiusimages Foto: centive for all of us to keep doing even better business for Brenntag.” And the two sales specialists are certain that they could not have won this award without the support they received from their colleagues from internal sales, administration, finance and lo- gistics. The criteria for this award included

Prize winners Ederson Botjuk (2nd from left) and Cristiane Freitas (right) with their managers increasing gross profit margin and Cidro Basseto Junior and Christiano Costa sales volume as well as teamwork, at- titude, dedication and professional- For the first time, Brenntag Brazil has Catarina), while Cristiane Freitas won ism. As a prize, the winners will each Personal Care selected two employees as “Salesper- the award in the southeast region (São receive a trip to Houston, including a sons of the Year.” Paulo sales territory). visit to Brenntag Latin America head- Brenntag Brazil is active primarily Cristiane Freitas has worked at quarters. Brenntag Brazil is again within the two major economic and Brenntag since 1997, when she started sponsoring a competition and trip for Customer Day Dedicated industrial areas of Brazil, namely the her career as a chemist trainee. Today the best salespersons in 2008… u southern region and the southeast she provides service to customers in region (including São Paulo, Rio de the paint segment and remarks: “It Contact: Frederik Laumans To Naturalness Janeiro and Minas Gerais). Ederson was very important to participate in [email protected] Botjuk was honored as the best sales- this competition as it stimulates one Alejandro Fernandez This past March, the Personal Care division of Brenntag Specialties in France staged a person from the south (state of Santa to fulfill one’s dreams, employing [email protected] highly successful customer day dedicated to the theme of Naturalness. Anne Thomasson and Elodie Jean-Louis, managers of the project, gave us a glimpse behind the scenes. Brenntag Teams Participate In Local Fun Run What are the advantages of a Why did you choose the theme of What kind of feedback did you get customer day? Naturalness? from customers? GERMANY The “Mülheimer Firmen- One meets participants in an informal The decision reflects current demand More concretely, we had to send more lauf,” a fun run held in Mülheim is becoming increasingly popular every setting at this kind of event, which and an overall trend in the market. than 150 samples to the attendees. So year. More than 100 company-spon- makes it possible for customers and We selected carefully within our prod- we expect quite a lot of new develop- sored teams participated in 2007, suppliers to interact on a very direct uct portfolio the “natural” based in- ments and new business in the end. while this year there were 127, includ- basis. Another advantage is that we gredients fitting the best with the ing three from Brenntag. can concentrate on presenting a selec- trend and we invited the suppliers Do you plan to hold another Recreational runners from various tion of products from a very specific concerned who all answered very customer day? companies throughout North Rhine- The Personal Care area. This further strengthens our im- positively. Definitely. An event with the theme Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, took part in this year’s fun run division of Brenntag age as a cosmetics specialist. “Sensorics” is already planned for next Specialties in France on June 15. Teams consisted of 4 mem- Whom did you invite and what was year. We also send out electronic mail- (from left): Christelle bers and included men’s, women’s Berthelot, Rola What preparations were necessary the reaction? ings in which we present a new ingre- and mixed divisions over five and ten Mahbouba, Elodie and how much work was involved? We wanted to attract our largest but dient to our customers every four to kilometers. Participants were allowed Jean-Louis, Maelle Guillot, Caroline It was a full time job during 2 months also our most loyal customers to our five weeks. This program allows us to to do both runs if desired. The com- Fouillaret, Anne for Elodie, our Marketing assistant, to customer day. We sent then an invita- highlight new chemicals in our prod- pany-sponsored fun run is part of the Left photo: the wide swimming competition which Despite its status as a fun run, com- Giraud, Anne organize this event. tion via email to 82 of them. In the uct portfolio or selectively promote Tengelmann Run, which has been held participants shortly Thomasson for 13 years and is open to anyone. attracted 250 athletes. A school used petition is intense and times are re- after the start… end, 31 customers attended the event raw materials from our catalog that 1,833 individual runners and 508 com- money it received from the run to pur- corded with ultra-modern technology. Right: Brenntag who represents about 40% of positive would be of particular interest to our pany-affiliated runners took part in chase electronic aids to facilitate com- Microchips attached to runners’ shoes sponsored three answers, which is very successful. customers. u this year’s event. munication for students unable to transmit the identification code of teams in the fun run, speak. And for years now, a local each individual runner to the timing with an age range of This sporting event was initiated 21 to 44 years What is the appeal of the customer Contact: Anne Thomasson by Karl-Erivan Haub, a businessman group promoting health sport and system. As the fastest runner of the day for participants? [email protected] from the food industry. Since 1994, movement therapy has used the pro- three Brenntag teams, Jessica Son- ceeds from the event to provide a nberger also placed 3rd in her age The main advantages for the custom- Elodie Jean-Louis proceeds from the entry fees as well as company donations go to benefit transportation service for disabled group in the 10-km distance and 20th er are the concentration on a specific [email protected] disabled children and youth. In 2007 children and youth. More than EUR overall, with a time of 47:01 minutes. theme, the variety of presented prod- Aline Serre for instance, the German Special Ol- 165,000 in total have been raised for Congratulations Jessica! Participation ucts and the large number of suppliers [email protected] ympics association used the proceeds charitable causes in the past twelve is anticipated to be even higher in present. from the run to organize a Germany- years. 2009… 24 Inside 25

Brenntag Iberia Switzerland Plant Kiosk Closes ARIS Platform Improves Workflow The new ARIS Platform software helps Brenntag Schweizerhall Technological Gap streamline business processes and improve workflows. Employees who do not have their own PC can now use the plant kiosk to access the interactive corporate portal of Brenntag Iberia.

Felipe García, IT manager at Brenntag The electronic kiosk, promoted by Frédéric Pierre, President Bren- Iberia, states: “Brenntag Iberia is a Human Resources, is designed to ntag Iberia, comments: “We hope modern organization with a growing close this technological and informa- that introducing this new informa- interactive portal, which offers our tional gap. Now all employees have tion system will help motivate and employees a broad range of updated access to the system and can find out integrate all employees and better services and information on what is about the latest developments in the consolidate corporate culture.” New happening in the company.” Up to Brenntag group, inform themselves services are planned for the portal, now, access to the corporate portal about company policies and quality including an e-learning platform to by our employees in Spain and Por- standards, print out pay stubs and allow production employees to eas- tugal was only possible via company manage emails. ily participate in training courses (e.g. computers. But because production The kiosk is equipped with a mag- in safety). u employees typically do not have their netic card reader, so that employees own computers at work, they were only have to swipe their ID cards and Contact: Felipe Garcia unable to use the portal. “The larger enter their 4-digit PIN. The system [email protected] the portal became, the farther these recognizes the user and customizes workers lagged behind their office the content it displays. colleagues,” says Felipe García.

The ARIS project The plant kiosk looks like an ATM Launched in December 2007, the ex- Messmer explains: “Our IT group was In addition to Germany and Swit- team (from left to and is operated in a similar right): Beatrice manner. tensive IT project was concluded in also interested in tapping synergies zerland, the subsidiaries in France, Del Principe, late May 2008 with workshops for and using the models for SAP tests.” Belgium and Central and Eastern Eu- Christian Messmer employees in purchasing, sales and rope (Brenntag CEE) rely on the ARIS (Project Manager), Markus Näher, production. Ludger Kruse from Cor- Integrated Modeling Of Business software. Brenntag hopes to improve Ralph Deuster, porate IT in Mülheim, Germany was Processes its organization and management in Urs Salvisberg and very pleased with the results: “The Brenntag has used the program Europe and have better control over Philipp Winter. team achieved a lot in just a short from the well-known software and cross-national business processes. In time and successfully modeled the consulting company IDS Scheer for June 2007, Ludger Kruse and his team processes. All employees who par- three years, with the goal of consist- were awarded the Business Process ticipated were very enthusiastic ently modeling, standardizing and Excellence Award from IDS Scheer about the workshops.” This was con- optimizing business processes in the (see together 3/07). u firmed by Beatrice Del Principe, who European subsidiaries. The sophisti- was responsible for the Swiss project cated ARIS tool allows detailed mod- Contact: Ludger Kruse together with Christian Messmer and eling and thorough analysis of busi- [email protected] Ludger Kruse. “Employees submitted ness processes and provides answers Beatrice Del Principe more than 200 suggestions for im- to such questions as: Who works on [email protected] provement to the project,” she noted. a task in what order, what activities Further information: She finds it “typically Swiss” that em- are carried out and what software www.ids-scheer.de ployees not only discuss concerns systems are used? “This makes it pos- and suggestions internally; they also sible to identify organizational, struc- manage to persuade external con- tural and technical weak points and sultants. develop strategies for improvement,” Integrating Brenntag Schweizerh- explains Ludger Kruse. “In the end, all in the business group was only one the best process solutions prevail and reason for the complex IT project. can be standardized." 26 Inside 27

North America Leading The Way In Customer Service At Brenntag North America’s Customer Service Summit in June 2008, the focus was on best practices in customer services and how, as a team, to raise customer service to a higher level.

Many of the Customer Service Managers from the eight US subsidiaries had never met before, but by the end of the third day strong and lasting relationships had been forged North America Brenntag Committed To Safety More than seven years of safe operations are certainly grounds for celebration. To mark the occasion, Brenntag treated its Portland employees to grilled steaks and baked potatoes.

Superb customer service is a priority input and feedback related to their to maintain momentum as we pursue Brenntag Pacific President Steve Poz- President of Operations for Brenntag are also produced here. The customer at Brenntag, and participants Melisa respective areas of responsibility. our vision of making Brenntag the rec- zi took time to help highlight the ac- North America, states: “The health base includes the paper and pulp in- Steinruck (Northeast), Jamie Smith By the conclusion of the summit ognized leader in customer service complishment and reminded employ- and safety of our workers and the dustry, chemical manufacturing, ag- (Southeast), Brenda Hill (Southwest), meeting, participants had developed excellence within our industry. u ees that safety is everyone’s respon- communities in which we operate are riculture and food processing. u Amber Hayward (Great Lakes), Linda an impressive list of specific, executa- sibility, from the top down: “People a principal concern of Brenntag.” Bovee (Pacific), Ramona Smolder/Don- ble goals to be completed in the fol- Contact: Chet Murphy are our most important asset and the The Portland facility, acquired in Contact: Steve Dallman na Hewitt (Specialties), Tiffany Snod­ lowing months. They will now pass this [email protected] quality of our team sets us apart from the Quadra Chemicals purchase, is a [email protected] grass (Mid-South) and Jay Senterfitt information on to the customer service the competition.” Troy Bangs, Opera- packaging and distribution hub for (Coastal Chemical) brought high ex- employees in the subsidiaries, the goal tions Supervisor, and Joe Mesa, Ware- the Pacific Northwest. Custom blends pectations and great enthusiasm to being to provide customers not only house Supervisor, have been at the of cleaning and sanitation products the meeting. As a team, the managers with exceptional service but with “serv- plant in Oregon for more than 20 The Customer Service Summit expanded worked together to define a range of ice that will pleasantly surprise.” It is upon parts of the “Brenntag University” years. They take the time at the start superior customer service practices planned to continue the summit meet- training program, in accordance with the of each day to make a quick safety involving phone etiquette, business ings in the years to come. The idea is motto: “It’s never too late for professional statement, followed by various re- development.” and system process improvements and minders throughout the day. “Always enhanced product knowledge. have the proper personal protection Facilitators Todd Stewart, North gear, especially eye protection,” says American Director MIS, and Chet Mur- Bangs. Forklift safety is a particular phy, North American VP Market Devel- concern. opment, kept each day packed with Portland Operations Manager wide-ranging topics such as customer Kevin Hutchinson holds weekly safety stratification, order confirmation, meetings, while Tom Bajema, Vice product safety, inside sales, “selling President Operations for Brenntag up,” sample requests, e-commerce, Pacific and his team of Safety, Regula- employee motivation and much more. tory and Quality Managers have de- Group exercises and individual role veloped a prevention program to playing helped to emphasize and re- record and analyze near misses. Bren- inforce various parts of the agenda. ntag also invested in a major safety Additional management team mem- improvement project, which involved bers Gary Critser (Mid-South), Kevin replacing older storage tanks in Port-

Bagin (Great Lakes), and Nina Basile land and a complete overhaul of the To celebrate 2,500 days of operation without an accident, (Headquarters), provided additional electrical system. David Garner, Vice Brenntag Portland treated its employees to a barbecue. 28 Inside 29

Forbes Honors Brenntag Investments 2008 Meat Seminar In Poland

POLAND On March 6, 2008, Brenntag Polska duction process complies with all safety and garnered an illustrious award from financial hygiene standards and conforms to current and business news magazine Forbes. Forbes quality norms including ISO 9001:2000, Hazard Getting Down To awards its “swallow” statues to outstanding Analysis and Critical Control companies that have had a positive influ- Points (HACCP) to ensure food ence on the economic development of the safety as well as national and region. European environmental regula- The Meat Of Things Brenntag Poland received the award as tions. the most important company in its region. Forbes also publishes a rank- At an internal workshop in Kalisz, Poland, 20 Brenntag employees from the Food The company’s investments were ing of the world’s fastest grow- cited as “Achievement of the Year,” in ing companies, which listed Bren- divisions in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands gained knowledge of many particular the new warehouse and ntag Polska as a “Forbes Dia- ultra-modern production facility mond” in 2007. food topics, including about the production of meat products. for dry and liquid feed additives After a final check built last year at its distribution Further information: of the appearance to center in Kedzierzyn-Kozle. The www.forbes.com Zenon Maslona, Managing Director of Brenntag whet the appetite, the new facility has an annual capac- Polska, was pleased to personally accept the participants tasted ity of some 25,000 tons. The pro- prize on behalf of Brenntag. their own creations.

Belgium Fire Department Drill With 150 Participants

In May 2008, the local fire department least five people were trapped in ve- for the emergency crews were: What conducted an emergency drill at Bren- hicles and had to be freed by the fire must be done first in this type of situ- ntag’s site in Deerlijk. department. ation? What protective measures are A total of 150 firefighters took part The purpose of the exercise was to available for the fire department? The meeting was opened on March 10 sired. After a final check of the appear- stance as a gelling agent in light prod- in the drill with the approval of on-site practice correct procedures for dealing What equipment is needed? All these by Urszula Danczyszyn, Food Product ance to truly whet the appetite, the ucts and meats (sausage) and as a security. The simulated accident in- with hazardous materials, including questions were addressed in detail in Manager, who gave an interesting talk participants tasted their own creations thickening agent in cold-mixed jams, volved several trucks loaded with liq- potentially poisonous gases, under the follow-up discussion. And it was and presentation on the products and and compared the costs of the ingre- baby food, milk products, milkshakes, uid and solid hazardous materials. At realistic conditions. The main issues clear to everyone that emergency drills general background of Givaudan, the dients and additives used. ice cream and desserts. u consistently provide valuable new in- leading producer in the flavor and sights. Kurt Blomme, Health and Safe- fragrance industry. Givaudan offers High-Quality Carrageenan Products Contact: Cezary Kowalski ty Officer at Brenntag NV Belgium, solutions for nearly all food segments, On the third day of the seminar, Erik [email protected] says: “After all, not all emergency situ- including beverages, dairy and well- Andersen from the Spanish Ceamsa ations can be addressed in advance in ness products. Anna Diowksz from the company gave a presentation on vari- the theory. Practical exercises are ab- Technical University of Lodz then in- ous high-quality carrageenan prod- solutely necessary.” u formed seminar participants about ucts. He described how these additives the Elena company. Elena’s product are produced and primarily used. As Contact: Kurt Blomme portfolio includes freeze-dried fruits, an extract from red algae, carrageenan [email protected] vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, spices is used in the food industry for in- and meat. Its main customers are pri- marily food manufacturers, especially of dairy products, but also in the sweets industry, meat and fish process- ing, and hotels & restaurants.

Hands-On Experience With Baked Goods On the second day of the seminar, a visit to the Vitpol meat processing plant near Kalisz took place. During a The simulated variety of workshops, participants pre- accident at the The seminar was an Brenntag pared their own baked goods, sau- outstanding site involved several sages and ham. Recipes were provided opportunity to learn more about meat trucks loaded with for the products, but participants liquid and solid production and share hazardous materials. could add spices and flavors as de- valuable experiences. 30 Inside 31

Germany Jean-Pierre Jacobs Emergency Drill At Brenntag GmbH In case of emergency, it is imperative proached the actual cause of the Full-Throttle Through Central Europe that everyone knows exactly what to simulated emergency: a defective cyl- do. Together with the municipal fire inder of chlorine gas. Just like in a real This man is unstoppable: Brenntag employee Jean-Pierre Jacobs from department, Brenntag Kaiserslautern accident, they were confronted with the Netherlands, who as together readers will recall has participated simulated a chlorine gas accident on billowing clouds of smoke, generated twice in the Dakar Rally, competed in the Central Europe Rally 2008 in its premises in December 2007. in this case by a fog machine. The fire To make the drill as realistic as pos- department closed the gas cylinder late April. We hope you enjoy his exciting report. sible, the fire department arrived with with an emergency cap and dispersed flashing lights and wailing sirens. the artificial cloud of gas with water “As a result of international political concern, serious issues with the forward to the next edition of this Representatives of the local factory spray. The gas cylinder was then en- tension and direct threats against brakes. Due to the continuous prob- report and wishes good luck to Jean- inspectorate and control board were closed in a special container and the race from terrorist organizations, lems with our brakes, we landed in Pierre and his team! u also on hand. Squad leader Peter Lu- safely transported away. Finally, meas- the 2008 Dakar Rally had to be com- a river on day three of the rally. It kas first identified the danger and urements indicated no danger in the pletely cancelled for the first time in took us until 8 p.m. to recover the Contact: Jean-Pierre Jacobs cordoned off the site. Then two fire- ambient air of the site, and the emer- its history. This was a major disap- car and return to camp. We worked [email protected] fighters with full protective gear ap- gency drill concluded. pointment for the Bison Rally Team, the entire night repairing the car and Further information: The fire department was very especially considering that the race finished just one hour before the www.bisonrallyteam.nl pleased with how the two-hour exer- car bearing the number 1, in which next day’s start! The protective suits cise turned out. "Communication with I ride as navigator, had already been The following three days our per- have positive pressure Brenntag GmbH was outstanding,” approved for start by FIA experts. formance was above average. During inside, making it harder for chemicals to praised the squad leader. And the fire The Bison Rally Team consists of ten the six specials we consistently fin- penetrate. department will be conducting an- persons, two race cars, one service ished among the top amateurs. This other drill on-site in 2008, because, truck and an additional all-terrain is a strong indication of how com- as Lukas puts it: “An inspection is cer- assistance vehicle. petitive the team and our car are.” Monitoring the drill (from left to right): tainly a good thing, but nothing can We decided to participate in the Hans-Joachim Poesch replace a practical exercise.“ u ‘Central Europe Rally 2008’ through Preparing For Dakar 2009 (Brenntag), Bernd Eckard Hungary and Romania instead. The The team will work very hard in the (TÜV Technical Control Board), Bernhard Kiefer Contact: Hans-Joachim Poesch technically demanding route leads coming months to prepare the car, a (factory inspectorate), [email protected] from the Hungarian capital of Buda- Desert Warrior with a BMW diesel Dr. Anita Löbbert pest to Lake Balaton, occasionally engine, for Dakar 2009. In contrast (factory inspectorate) and Peter Lukas (squad crossing over into Romania. Nearly to previous years, the 2009 event leader, fire department). half of the total distance of 3,000 (January 3-18) will take place along kilometers was run in special stag- an alternative route in South Amer- es. ica (Argentina & Chile). The start and After the first stage we arrived in end will be in the Argentinean capi- Romania, where weather and road tal of Buenos Aires. Drivers must ne- conditions were much more extreme gotiate a distance of some 9,000 km, Safety Training For Professional Drivers than in Hungary. Stone pavement including a crossing of the Andes. alternated with mud along the nar- The return trip will then lead them experience and recognize their own row roadways, and we even encoun- across the Atacama Desert and Skidding in the training truck limits.” Participation was mandatory for Air1™ tank truck drivers and volun- tered snow. We also faced technical through the Argentinean provinces tary for all others. Interest in the pro- problems, including two flat tires, of Catamarca, Rioja and Córdoba. gram was so great that an additional electrical problems and, of greatest The together editorial team looks two courses have been held, one in Obermehler and another in Eisenach. The program involved a theoretical section and a considerable amount of practice, under the watchful eye of two certified driving trainers. Behind Brenntag engineer Jean- Pierre Jacobs in his racing the wheel of a special tip-resistant suit. tank vehicle with stabilizing equip- ment, the professional Brenntag driv- The Bison Rally Team put ers were able to experience how the pedal to the metal in quickly the limits of stability were the Central Europe Rally Germany At the suggestion of truck and took place at a training facility in reached, even at low speeds of only 2008. fleet managers, Brenntag GmbH spon- Obermehler. Andreas Frank, head of 20 to 50 kilometers per hour. sored a safety course for truck drivers logistics in Germany, comments, “The in November 2007. The course was goal of this training was to increase Contact: Andreas Frank organized by a road traffic vocational drivers’ awareness of dangerous situ- [email protected] training center based in Nordhausen ations on the road and for drivers to 32 Inside

The together Puzzle

Are you an expert in the field of chemistry? Then the new version of the together puzzle is just the thing for you. From all correct solutions received, the editors will again draw a winner at random to receive a 4-GB Apple iPod Nano. To participate, simply answer the following ques- tions and use the specified letters to form the solution. Hint: the solution is the name of an American chemist who won both the Nobel Prize in Chemistry and the Nobel Peace Prize.

Please email your solution together with your complete mailing address, phone number and email address, with the email subject “together puzzle”, to [email protected], or send your solution via postcard to the editors at the following address: Simone Jähnel, Brenntag Holding GmbH, Stinnes- Platz 1, D-45472 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2009. From all correct solutions received, winners will be drawn at random to receive additional attractive prizes. The organiz- ers’ decision is final. The editors hope you enjoy this puzzle!

Win a legendary 4GB iPod Nano! Photo: Apple Solution to the puzzle from the 1/2008 issue: Paul Ehrlich

1 An investigation of the component parts of a chemical sample (4th letter of the answer) 2 An alkaloid; component of various stimulating foods and beverages (6th letter o. a.) 3 Compounds of this element form the molecular basis of all life (6th letter of the answer) 4 A closed pressurized device (2nd letter of the answer) 5 A process in which one substance permeates another (3rd letter of the answer) 6 Positively charged particle in the nucleus of an atom (1st letter of the answer) 7 Poisonous transition metal with atomic number 48 (2nd letter of the answer) 8 The spontaneous net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration (5th letter of the answer) 9 A workplace for conducting scientific research (1st letter of the answer)  A negatively charged particle that binds with cations (3rd letter of the answer)  An important solvent; also known as dimethyl ketone (6th letter of the answer)  A device for separating mixtures using centrifugal force (9th letter of the answer)

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