PARIS (Jan. 26) — International chemicals distributor Safic-Alcan has sold all its natural product activities — including natural rubber, NR latex and tropical oils — to British group ED&F Man Holdings Ltd.
Paris-based Safic-Alcan will now focus on distribution of specialty and fine chemicals. The group also said it plans to expand its fine chemicals activities, pointing out that it recently acquired Belgian chemical company Oerter Chemicals.
Safic-Alcan claims to be No. 1 in specialty chemicals for the rubber and coatings industries in Europe. The group distributes specialty chemicals for formulating industries, including polyurethanes, rubber, thermoplastics, adhesives, paintings, inks, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and the chemical synthesis industry.
The deal took place Dec. 30. Terms were not disclosed.
Since 2004, the French group has been owned by Daniel Lebard Management Development and Alpha General Partner 4, through the SAFICA company.
London-based ED&F Man, a commodities trading company with interests in molasses, sugar, coffee, cocoa, spices and alcohol, did not disclose its plans for Safic´s 150-year-old natural products activities.