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Arkema

Arkema S.A. is a publicly listed, multi-national manufacturer of specialty materials, headquartered in Colombes, near Paris, France. It has three specialty materials segments (or divisions); adhesives, advanced materials and coatings. A further segment covers chemical intermediates.[2]

Arkema S.A.
Company typeSociété Anonyme
ISINFR0010313833 Edit this on Wikidata
IndustryChemical
Founded2004; 20 years ago (2004)
HeadquartersColombes, France
Key people
Thierry Le Hénaff
(Chairman and CEO)
ProductsPolyamide 11, Elastomers, PVDF, PEKK, Acrylics, synthetic resins, PVC, polymers, hydrogen peroxide, vinyl compounds, pipes, PMMA, HCFCs and chlorine compounds
RevenueIncrease €9.5 billion (2021)[1]
Increase €1.7 billion (2021)[1]
Increase €1.3 billion (2021)[1]
Total assetsIncrease €12.3 billion (2021)[1]
Total equityIncrease €6.3 billion (2021)[1]
Number of employees
20,200 (end 2021)[1]
SubsidiariesBostik, ArrMaz, Coatex, MLPC International, Sartomer, Den Braven, Casda, Agiplast
Websitewww.arkema.com

The company was created in 2004, as part of French oil major Total's restructuring of its chemicals business, and floated on the Paris stock exchange in May 2006. Turnover in 2021 was €9.5 billion. Arkema operates in more than 55 countries and has 20,200 employees, 13 research centers and 144 production plants.[1]

History

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Arkema was created when French oil major Total restructured its chemicals business in 2004, but the company's roots go back many years.

Origin and evolution

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Share of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, issued 20. May 1879

In 1971, Elf and Total merged their chemical operations into Aquitaine Total Organico (ATO), a joint subsidiary. The same year saw the creation of Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhlmann (PCUK). The joint venture was renamed ATO Chimie in 1973. A second company, Chloé Chimie (40% Elf Aquitaine, 40% Total and 20% Rhône-Poulenc) was formed in 1980 to take over Rhône-Poulenc's chlorochemicals business. Three years later, Total sold its stake in Chloé Chimie to Elf and chemical production in France was reorganized around Atochem, a wholly owned Elf Aquitaine subsidiary that incorporated the activities of ATO Chimie, Chloé Chimie and most of PCUK.[3]

In 1989, Elf Aquitaine acquired the American, Pennwalt Corporation[4] and along with M&T Chemicals and Atochem Inc formed Atochem North America Inc. Pennwalt can trace its roots to the formation of The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. by five Philadelphia Quakers in 1850. The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. changed its name to Pennsalt Chemicals Corp in 1957 and merged with Wallace and Tiernan Inc. to form Pennwalt Corp in 1969.[5]

The year 1990 saw another reorganization of chemical production in France. Orkem's petrochemicals, styrenics, fertilizers and acrylics businesses were integrated into Atochem, while specialties (resin and paint) moved to Total. Montedison's organic peroxide business was acquired. Atochem was renamed Elf Atochem in 1992 and merged with Total's chemical businesses into Atofina a year after the takeover of Elf by TotalFina in 1999.[3]

Formation, independence and listing

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In February 2004, Total, the French-based multinational oil conglomerate announced a reorganisation of its chemicals business. A new company under Total's ownership, named Arkema, was formed on 1 October into which Total placed certain assets held by its Atofina subsidiary, which was then dissolved.[6] The kem part of Arkema's name references the company as a chemicals producer.[7] Arkema was structured into three divisions producing vinyl products (chlorochemicals and PVC, vinyl compounds and pipes and profiles), industrial chemicals (acrylics, fluorochemicals, hydrogen peroxide, PMMA and thiochemicals) and performance products (additives, organic peroxides, agrochemicals and urea-formaldehyde resins).[8]

Total's intention to spin off Arkema into an independent listed company[9] was achieved on 18 May 2006 when Arkema debuted on the Paris stock market.[10] In June 2011, Arkema joined the CAC Next 20 French stock market index.[11]

Acquisitions, disposals and reconfigurations

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2007: Arkema sells its agrochemical business (Cerexagri) to United Phosphorus[12] and its urea-formaldehyde activities to Hexion.[13]
2007: acquires Coatex company (specialty acrylic polymers)
2010: acquires acrylic Dow assets in the US [14]
2011: acquires Total coating resins (Cray Valley and Sartomer)[15]
2012: acquires Chinese Company Hipro Polymers (producer of bio-Polyamides) and Casda Biomaterials (producer of plant raw materials)[16]

In July 2012, Arkema sold for 1 symbolic euro its vinyl products business segment to the Klesch group for reasons of profitability,[17] but also to re-center its operations exclusively on specialty chemicals. As part of this divestment, Arkema made a 100 million euro cash payment to the Klesch group and took on debts amounting to 470 million euros to help revive the activity. In response to fears of redundancy and to protests from employees at a number of production sites, the trade unions negotiated, with the Arkema management, industrial and social guarantees as well as support measures designed to protect the rights of employees should the Klesch group implement redundancies following their take-over of the vinyl products activities. Hence two trust funds of €20 M were set up to secure compensation payments and the rights of employees of the companies that were sold off.[18] Following the sale, Arkema reorganized its activities into three business segments: High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties and Coating Solutions. Each represented about one third of Group turnover.[19]

2015 : Purchase of Bostik from Total S.A.[20][21] The company also joined CJ Group of South Korea to invest in the manufacture of L-methionine in Malaysia.[22]

In 2019 Sartomer won an Adhesives and Sealants Council (ASC) Innovation Award for "An electron Beam curable Resealable Adhesive that only sticks to itself."[23]

2020 : Plexiglas business sold to the American group Trinseo for $1.1 billion.[24]

2021 : Acquisition of Ashland's Performance Adhesives business for $1.65 billion.[25]

2022 : Acquisition of Permoseal, an adhesive solutions[buzzword] company in South Africa.[26]

Organization

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Adhesive Solutions

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Formed in 2020 by the transfer of Bostik from the High Performance Materials segment.

Advanced Materials

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This segment gathers together four main product lines: specialty polyamides, fluoropolymers (PVDF), molecular sieves for filtration and adsorption and organic peroxides. Brands include Rilsan (polyamide 11), Luperox (Organic Peroxide), Kynar (PVDF), Siliporite (Molecular Sieves).[27]

 
Usine Arkema de Pierre Bénite

Coating Solutions

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Starting from upstream acrylic monomers, the Group has built a presence across the coating market. Its portfolio of coating materials and technologies includes waterborne, solvent borne, powder coating resins and additives from Arkema Coating Resins, rheology additives for waterborne coatings from Coatex and photocured resins for optic fibers, graphic arts, electronics, etc. from Sartomer. Brands are EnVia, Rheotec, Sarbio.

Intermediates

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Includes thiochemicals (for animal nutrition, gas natural odorant), fluorochemicals (for refrigeration, air conditioning, blowing agent for insulating foam) and hydrogen peroxide (pulp and textile bleaching, chemical synthesis, water treatment).[17] Brands include Albone (hydrogen peroxide), Paladin (DMDS agricultural fumigant) and Forane (refrigerants).

Subsidiaries

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  • Coatex produces rheology additives for water-based formulations. Its production sites are located in France (Genay), the Netherlands (Moerdijk), the United States (Chester, South Carolina), Korea (Kunsan), China (Changshu) and Brazil (Araçariguama). Its main brands are Rheocoat, Coadis, Rheocarb, Ecodis, Viscoatex and Coapur.
  • MLPC International specializes in the chemistry of carbon sulphide, cyanogen chloride and amines and produces vulcanising agents for the rubber industry. The company was previously known as "Manufacture Landaise de Produits Chimiques". Its origins go back to 1926.[28] Plants are at Lesgor and nearby Rion-des-Landes, in the Landes department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine in south-western France.[29]
  • Sartomer produces specialty acrylates for UV curing systems (photo-crosslinking).
  • Den Braven makes sealants for insulation and construction.
  • Casda manufactures sebacic acid from castor oil.

Arkema worldwide

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Locations

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Arkema operates through industrial facilities in Europe, North America and Asia and marketing subsidiaries in around 40 countries.

Arkema has 144 production facilities worldwide, including 61 in Europe, 43 in North America, 40 in Asia and in the rest of the world.[30]

Arkema has 13 research centers worldwide: 7 in France (Lacq; Serquigny; Cerdato; Carling; Genay; Pierre-Benite; and Verneuil), three in the United States (Cary, North Carolina; Wauwatosa, Wisconsin; and King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) and two in China (Shanghai and Changshu).[31]

Distribution of turnover, activity and manpower by region
North and South America 31% of sales
43 plants
Europe 36% of sales
61 plants
Asia and the rest of the world 33% of sales
40 plants

Sales by region

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Most of Arkema's sales are generated in Europe, which accounts for 36% of the total. North and South America represents 31% of sales. Arkema has had a strong presence in China for over 13 years. Asia alone now accounts for 33% of sales.[32]

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Crosby, Texas plant explosion

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Main article: 2017 Arkema plant explosion

In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused the flooding of Arkema's Crosby, Texas plant. Arkema said it would be unable to prevent an explosion at the plant, after refrigeration equipment failed that kept temperature sensitive organic peroxides cold.[33][34] On August 31, explosions were reported to be coming from the plant.[35] These turned out to be "small container ruptures" of burning organic peroxides.[36] A 1.5 mile evacuation zone was set up around the site.[37]

Preformation legacy issues

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EU antitrust breach

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Total, Elf Aquitaine and Arkema were investigated by the EU Commission for involvement in an illegal supply, sales and pricing cartel in the hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate markets. The Commission found that Arkema's predecessor companies Atochem and Atofina committed the infractions between May 1995 and December 2000. Arkema was fined €78 million in May 2006 for breaching EU antitrust law.[38][39][40]

Research and development

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Research and development spending totaled roughly 150 million euros, with half allocated to “green chemistry.” Arkema employs more than 1,200 researchers, whose work focuses on two main areas: ultra-high performance polymers and sustainable development solutions.[buzzword]

Financial performance

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Arkema generates sales of €7.9 billion, broken down as follows:[32]

  • Advanced Materials, 32%.
  • Adhesive Solutions, 25,5%.
  • Coating Solutions, 24,5%.
  • Intermediates, 18%.

Arkema's net debt in 2020 is €1,9 billion.[32]

Shareholder structure

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As of 31 December 2010, the major stockholders of Arkema (owning at least 5% of capital declared to AMF) were Greenlight Capital (5,5%), Dodge & Cox (5.2%), Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (10%).[41][failed verification]

Since January 1, 2012, the level of 5% reported to AMF was passed by:

  • FMR LLC (Fidelity Management & Research): declares having +5% of Arkema capital (August 23, 2012);[42]
  • Groupe Bruxelles Lambert: sold all its shares in the capital (March 14, 2012);[43]
  • Individual shareholders: 94.0%;
  • Group employees: 5,5%;

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Arkema : Full year 2021 results" (PDF) (Press release). Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  2. ^ "About us – Arkema.com". www.arkema.com. Retrieved 2022-11-28.
  3. ^ a b Grant, Tina (2009). International Directory of Company Histories. Vol. 100. Detroit, Mich.: St. James Press. pp. 36, 37. ISBN 9781558626348.
  4. ^ Cole, Robert J (21 March 1989). "Elf Aquitaine To Acquire Pennwalt". The New York Times. p. 4. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  5. ^ "CP50: Arkema Inc., Company Information". Chemical Processing. Putman Media. January 2000. Retrieved 4 September 2017.
  6. ^ "ATOFINA: Reorganisation of Total´s chemicals division / PA, PMMA and chlorine go to new firm Arkema". www.plasteurope.com. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  7. ^ Robinson, Simon (11 Oct 2004). "Arkema is carved out of old Total block ...". ECN-European Chemical News. 81 (2119): 7. Retrieved 4 December 2022 – via Wikipedia Library, Gale Power Search.
  8. ^ "Arkema Group - New Beginnings". arkemagroup.com. 2005-01-12. Archived from the original on 12 January 2005. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
  9. ^ McCoy, Michael (1 November 2004). "Arkema Gets Set for Life on Its Own". Chemical & Engineering News. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Arkema History". Arkema.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19.
  11. ^ "2011 annual and sustainable development report" (PDF). Arkema. 2011.
  12. ^ "United Phos buys French agrochem co Cerexagri for e111m". The Economic Times. 15 November 2006. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  13. ^ "Arkema sells its Urea Formaldehyde Resins business to Hexion". Chemeurope.com. 2007-05-30.
  14. ^ "Dow Finalizes Sale to Arkema of Acrylic Acid, Esters and Specialty Latex Assets in North America". Chemeurope.com. 2010-01-27.
  15. ^ "Arkema Completes Acquisition of TOTAL's Coatings Resins and Photocure Resins". pcimag.com. 2011-09-01.
  16. ^ "Arkema Closes Acquisition of Hipro Polymers and Casda Biomaterials | CHEManager". www.chemanager-online.com. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  17. ^ a b Stringer, Leigh (23 November 2011). "France's Arkema to sell vinyl segment to Klesch Group". ICIS News. Reed Business Information. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011.
  18. ^ "Arkema confirms vinyl unit sale to Klesch Group". reutersmedia.net. 2011-11-23. Archived from the original on 2020-07-28. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
  19. ^ "Arkema outlines future growth plans, splits operations into three businesses". Chemweek.com. 2012-09-20. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  20. ^ "Arkema finalises acquisition of adhesive maker Bostik". Business Standard Ltd. 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-03-02.
  21. ^ Spanier, Gideon (19 September 2014). "Blu-Tack firm comes unstuck from Total". The Independent. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  22. ^ Kim, Marie (June 2015). "CJ CheilJedang Actively Ventures Abroad to New Markets". BusinessKorea. Vol. 32, no. 362. Seoul, Korea. p. 17 – via Internet Archive.
  23. ^ "Innovation Awards - Adhesive and Sealant Council". www.ascouncil.org. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
  24. ^ "Arkema to Sell PMMA Business to Trinseo | CHEManager". www.chemanager-online.com. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  25. ^ "Ashland completes sale of Performance Adhesives business to Arkema for $1.65 billion". GlobeNewswire News Room (Press release). 2022-02-28. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  26. ^ "Arkema Finalizes the Acquisition of Permoseal and Strengthens Its Position in Adhesives in South Africa". www.businesswire.com. 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  27. ^ "France's Arkema enters new development phase". Icis.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  28. ^ "History". www.mlpc-intl.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Our chemistry". www.mlpc-intl.com. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  30. ^ Arkema. "Présentation d'Arkema – Arkema.com". www.arkema.com (in French). Retrieved 2020-11-09.
  31. ^ "Our Company - Overview". Arkema. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2013-01-20.[self-published source]
  32. ^ a b c "Arkema Resultat 2020". AFP. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
  33. ^ Molinski, Dan (August 30, 2017). "Arkema Reports Explosion, Smoke at Texas Plant". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  34. ^ "Arkema: No way to prevent explosion at flooded Texas chemical plant". CNBC. August 30, 2017. Archived from the original on September 1, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  35. ^ "Explosions reported at flooded chemical plant in Texas after Hurricane Harvey". The Daily Telegraph. August 31, 2017.
  36. ^ Horton, Alex; Wang, Amy B.; Bever, Lindsey (31 August 2017). "Explosions possible after 'pops' heard at storm-crippled Texas chemical plant, officials say". The Washington Post.
  37. ^ "Explosions and Smoke Reported At Arkema Inc. Crosby Plant". Arkema. 2017-08-31. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
  38. ^ Watson, Rory (4 May 2006). "Brussels hits chemical cartel companies with £400m fines". The Times. p. 61 – via The Times Digital Archive hosted by Gale.
  39. ^ "Commission Decision - 32006D0903". eur-lex.europa.eu. Official Journal of the European Union. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  40. ^ "The General Court upholds the fines imposed on Arkema France and on its parent companies, Total and Elf Aquitaine, for their participation in the hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate cartel". European Commission. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2022.
  41. ^ "Publications". Arkema.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-19. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  42. ^ "ARKEMA: FMR LLC OWNS 5.03% OF THE VOTING RIGHTS, AMF SAYS (FR)" (Press release). Arkema. 17 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2013 – via Bloomberg.
  43. ^ Lewis, Barbara (13 March 2012). "Belgium's GBL sells 10 percent stake in Arkema". Reuters. Retrieved 23 Dec 2019.
 
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