Degussa Sells Spanish Zeolite Activities

26-Jul-2001

Degussa AG, Duesseldorf, Germany, has sold its zeolite production plant in Zubillaga-Lantarón, Spain, to Barcelona-based FMC Foret S.A. effective August 1, 2001. The Spanish anti trust authorities have already stated that they will allow the deal to proceed. Silence has been agreed on the purchase price. The Degussa plant in Zubillaga-Lantarón, which posted sales of EUR12 million in fiscal 2000, has an annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of zeolites used in detergents. The 30 jobs at the Spanish plant will not be affected by the change in ownership. Degussa announced in December its intention to withdraw from its zeolite operations in a step involving closure of zeolite production plants all over the world and disposal of activities in Spain. The corporation's worldwide production capacity for specialty zeolites and zeolites for detergents amounted to 215,000 tonnes p.a., whereby sales of EUR50 million were generated in fiscal 2000. Zeolites are aluminum silicates primarily used as water-softeners in detergents and as odor-reducing agents in sanitary products. The zeolite production facilities in Taipei, Taiwan have been shut down in the meantime, and closure of the plant in Wesseling will be completed by late July. FMC Foret is a Spanish subsidiary of FMC Corporation, Delaware, USA, and operates seven plants in Europe employing some 1,000 staff. A manufacturer of inorganic chemicals, FMC Foret serves the detergent industry throughout the world as well as other important branches of industry, such as paper and pulp, textiles, and agriculture. The Spanish company generated sales of USD 300 million in fiscal 2000. The parent company FMC Corporation is one of the world's leading manufacturers of chemicals and machinery for industrial and agricultural purposes, and employs approximately 15,000 people at 90 production plants and mines in 25 countries.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/4052/degussa-sells-spanish-zeolite-activities.html