CalaChem: the new name in Scottish fine chemicals
The Grangemouth-based fine chemicals company previously known as KemFine UK Ltd has been renamed CalaChem Ltd, following its acquisition by Munich-based industrial holding company AURELIUS AG in November of last year.
CalaChem Fine Chemicals can trace a long heritage in Scotland. Previous owners of the Grangemouth site include ICI, Zeneca and Avecia.
A leading producer of fine chemicals for clients across the agrochemical, pharmaceutical and chemical sectors, the firm counts many international majors among its clients.
In addition to developing and manufacturing fine chemicals the company provides services to a range of companies near its site in Grangemouth, ranging from electricity and steam supply to wastewater treatment.
The company – which employs around 200 people and has latest recorded sales of £41 million in 2009 – plans to extend its contract manufacturing by expanding its product portfolio. Plans are also in place to increase the current wastewater treatment plant’s capacity and expand a cogeneration plant based on renewable fuel.
Site manager John Blackie said: “CalaChem is the new name in Scottish fine chemicals. Our site lies at the heart of Scotland on the river Forth estuary. We have a long heritage of which we are very proud but our focus is now on the future and delivering excellent value and service to both new and existing clients.”
Caroline Strain, head of chemical sciences at Scottish Enterprise, said: “I have to commend Scottish Development International for the amount of work they undertook to ensure this deal took place. Not only did they work very closely with both businesses, but they also co-ordinated a seamless ‘team Scotland’ approach involving Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Government, Falkirk Council and Transport Scotland which has resulted in this successful outcome.
“AURELIUS’s decision to invest says much for Scotland as a competitive location in which to do business, coupled with a high quality and skilled workforce. We look forward to working with CalaChem in future to help win further investment for Grangemouth.”
Dr Sandy Dobbie is chairman of Chemical Sciences Scotland. He said: “With the recent JV announcement by INEOS and PetroChina and the UN’s launch this week of the International Year of Chemistry, these are exciting times for the chemical sciences sector in Scotland.
“AURELIUS’s decision in November to acquire KemFine was a great shot in the arm for the £9.3bn Scottish chemical sciences sector and CalaChem is clearly a company with ambitious plans for the future. We welcome it to Scotland.”
ENDS
Issued on behalf of Chemical Sciences Scotland by Weber Shandwick. For further information contact Ed Black or David Sawyer on 0141 333 0557 / 07770 886908 / eblack@webershandwick.com / 07770 886923 / dsawyer@webershandwick.com
About Chemical Sciences Scotland
Chemical Sciences Scotland is a unique partnership of industry with Scotland’s world-renowned academic sector and government agencies. Its aim is to ensure the chemical sciences have a vibrant future, creating high value opportunities for skilled people and innovative companies. The chemical sciences are at the heart of Scotland’s economy and underpin its key life sciences, energy, chemicals and electronics industries. For more information log on to www.chemicalsciencesscotland.com
Key facts about Scotland’s chemical sciences sector
- The chemical sciences industry is Scotland’s second top export sector, with exports worth around £2.7 billion.
- The Scottish chemical sciences sector accounts for 15 per cent of the UK industry, employing 14,000 directly and 70,000 through dependent services.
- There are 150 chemicals companies, generating £9.3 billion revenue in Scotland.
- The chemicals sector accounts for 25 per cent of Scottish manufacturing by turnover.
- The sector has the 2nd highest Gross Value Added (GVA) per employee of any industry in Scotland (£181,700).
- The sector accounts for 50 per cent of all industrial R&D in Scotland (including pharma).
- There are 13 universities and six colleges which have research and teaching excellence in chemistry and engineering in Scotland, and together they produce 500 graduates per year. Four of the UK’s top 10 chemistry departments are in Scotland.
- The industry has a long and established history in Scotland. The country which gave the world innovators such as Joseph Lister has become a base for some of the world’s biggest chemical sciences operators. INEOS, Exxon, GlaxoSmithKline, BASF, DOW, Fujifilm and BASF are some of the major players which have made Scotland their home.
- FujiFilm’s Scottish business is the world leader in inkjet dyes while INEOS’ refinery and petrochemical plant at Grangemouth is its largest globally, producing 3 million tonnes of fuel per annum (9 million litres a day) and 2 million tonnes of chemicals per annum.
- UNESCO has designated 2011 the International Year of Chemistry, which will celebrate the achievements of chemistry and its contribution to humankind. A number of major European and worldwide chemical sciences events are taking place across Scotland to mark IYC 2011.
About Aurelius
AURELIUS AG is an industrial holding with a long-term investment horizon focusing on the acquisition of companies with potential for development. AURELIUS has some longstanding investment and management experience in various industries. By applying management capacities and the necessary funding for investments in innovative products, distribution and research AURELIUS constantly advances its portfolio companies. With offices in Munich and London as well as 15 portfolio companies in Germany, England, France, Ireland, Poland, the Netherlands and Switzerland, AURELIUS operates throughout Europe. The shares of AURELIUS AG are traded on the open market of the Frankfurt stock exchange (ISIN: DE000A0JK2A8). For more information, please visit http://www.aureliusinvest.com