ESIM sells the ‘IM’ to Vertellus

Vertellus has signed a definitive agreement to acquire IM Chemicals, ESIM Chemicals’ intermediates and specialities division, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Terms were not disclosed.

CEO John Van Hulle described the deal as “directly in line with Vertellus’ strategy to become a leading global provider of specialty chemicals and solutions through both internal growth and acquisitions of complementary customer-focused businesses”.

IM Chemicals – the IM stands for Intermediate Materials - is based at the former DSM site in Linz, Austria, employing over 150. It makes speciality anhydrides for markets including coatings, fuel and lubricants, pigments, construction and pharmaceuticals. Vertellus is already active in these products and now gains additional capacity in Europe.

This leaves ESIM Chemicals active through its ‘ES’ business, which stands for Exclusive Synthesis, in outsourced custom development and manufacturing services for a wide range of industries, particularly crop protection