German Evonik Industries, a global leader of chemicals completed the sale of its black carbon activities to the US based investors Rhône Capital and Triton Partners. Carbon black activities brought sales worth of around €1.2 billion in 2010. New business operates as Orion Engineered Carbons.The investors Rhône Capital and Triton Partners have acquired the business as a whole with approximately 1,650 employees and will continue its development towards worlwide leadership.
“This divestment shows that Evonik is continuing to focus systematically on its core speciality chemicals business. At the same time, we are pleased to transfer the carbon black business to a new owner who is able to realise promising growth perspectives,” said Klaus Engel, chairman of Evonik Industries.
Photo: Aleksandr Ostrowski
Rhône Capital commented: "We are proud to succeed Evonik in stewardship of the Carbon Black franchise. We look forward to building on the foundation of Carbon Black's globally acclaimed technology platform, valued customer relationships and skilled workforce, to support Carbon Black's continued worldwide growth."
Demand for carbon black is forecast to rise around 4.3 percent per year through 2013 to 11.6 million metric tons according to Report Summary published by World Carbon Black Industry. Carbon black is basically used as reinforcement material in vulcanized rubber goods, including motor vehicle tires. Evonik Carbon Black with its 16 production facilities in eleven countries and recognition as the global number three in the market seems to be an investition with a great potential.
