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Nordkalk signs European distribution dealNordkalk Corporation and Gustav Grolman GmbH & Co. KG have signed a pan-European distribution agreement for wollastonite fillers for a number of applications, including plastics.Nordkalk Corporation is the leading producer of limestone based products in Northern Europe and one of the leading wollastonite producers in the world. The company is the only wollastonite producer in Europe with its own raw material source in Europe - all the grades are produced in Lappeenranta, Finland. The company produces high quality wollastonite fillers for plastics, paints and coatings applications. Nordkalk has recently launched a new HARwoll wollastonite product family for plastic applications.The Grolman Group operates in the international speciality chemical distribution business. The company has local sales offices in all European countries offering technically trained sales
staff, customer service teams and local warehousing. The Grolman Group, run by the fifth generation of the Grolman family, has been privately owned since it was established in 1855.Both parties are looking forward for successful long term co-operation. “This agreement with Grolman clearly supports our strategical goals to widen our presence in Europe within the selected applications for our wollastonite products.” says Olav Sjövall, sales and business development director of Nordkalk Corporation.Florian Grolman, managing director of Gustav Grolman GmbH & Co. KG. adds: “The wollastonite products of Nordkalk fit our homogeneous, industry and customer-focused market approach of pan-European specialities distribution very well.”Contacts:Nordkalk CorporationWebsite: www.nordkalk.comGustav Grolman GmbH & Co. KGWebsite: www.grolman-group.com
Rockwood Holdings acquires pigment manufacturerRockwood Holdings, Inc. has agreed to purchase Holliday Pigments, the manufacturer of technical grade ultramarine and manganese violet pigments from Yule Catto & Co. The purchase price is approximately �46million.Holliday Pigments manufactures inorganic ultramarine pigments for a wide range of applications, including plastics. When the transaction is completed, the business, including Holliday’s manufacturing and research and development headquarters in Comines, France, will become part of Rockwood Color Pigments. In 2007 Holliday Pigments posted EBITDA of �6.0 million and sales of �34.7million. The transaction is subject to regulatory clearances and is expected to be completed during the third quarter.Commenting on the transaction, Seifi Ghasemi, Rockwood’s chairman and chief executive officer said: “The
addition of Holliday Pigments is an excellent fit for us. It is a business with strong technical leadership and excellent growth prospects in diverse markets. This is an excellent bolt-on acquisition for Rockwood and an important addition to the Rockwood Color Pigments product line.”Rockwood Holdings, Inc. is a leading global speciality chemicals and advanced materials company. Rockwood has a worldwide employee base of approximately 9,500 people and annual net sales of approximately $3 billion. The company focuses on global niche segments of the speciality chemicals, pigments and additives and advanced materials markets. Yule Catto is an international producer of speciality chemicals, supplied to global customers for use in a wide range of industries.Contact: Rockwood Holdings Inc.Website: www.rocksp.com
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