The deal between Kemira Chemicals and Neste Chemicals, concerning the purchase of Neste Chemicals' paper chemicals business including the paper chemicals business of Austrian Krems Chemie, has been closed. At the same time Kemira Chemicals' deal to buy the paper sizing business of Finnish Oy Chemec Ab was closed. All relevant authorities have approved the transactions.
These acquisitions give Kemira Chemicals a strong position as an integrated producer of the main sizing technologies - the AKD, ASA and resin technology - and provide tools to work together with customers in all sizing applications.
Also the market position in Central and Eastern Europe is clearly strengthened. Kemira Chemicals personnel is increased by 120 people. The new production facilities included in the deal are located in Austria, Poland, Russia and Turkey. In Germany Kemira will continue to co-operate with Chemische Fabrik Brühl through the PCS company.
The business acquired from Krems Chemie will be organized under the existing company Kemira Chemie GmbH. Dr Johannes Fallmann has been appointed Managing Director of this company as of 1 September 2000.