On January 30 the Hamburg-based Krahn Chemie Group has taken over the distribution of the specialty plasticizers of Ferro in the regions Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Benelux and Poland. Ferro is already a longstanding partner of Pietro Carini in Italy which has been part of the Krahn Chemie Group since April 2014. The subsidiaries ICH Benelux and Krahn Chemie Polska will develop the regions Benelux and Poland.

Ferro’s plasticizer portfolio consists of dibenzoates, polymeric plasticizers and benzyl phthalates. These specialty products are used in a broad range of applications such as flexible PVC, paints and coatings, adhesives, caulks and sealants.

The distribution of plasticizers is one of Krahn Chemie’s core activities and Ferro’s products are a complementary addition to the existing product range. Apart from Ferro’s products, Krahn Chemie also distributes the Jayflex plasticizers of ExxonMobil Chemical and the non-phthalate plasticizers Oxsoft and Oxblue of Oxea Chemicals.

The decision to reorganize the existing distribution network is based on Ferro’s strategy of close collaboration with a partner who has a deep understanding of the European plasticizers market.

“We are delighted about Ferro´s decision which fits perfectly in our strategy”, says Axel Sebbesse, managing director of Krahn Chemie GmbH. “Plasticizers are clearly our business. By being the distribution partner of choice for ExxonMobil Chemical, Oxea Chemicals and now also Ferro it is right to say that we can offer our customers now the widest range of plasticizers in Europe”.

“We really appreciate and value the performance of Pietro Carini in Italy for many years now”, says Lia Jacobs, business manager of Ferro. “As the Krahn Chemie Group has successfully demonstrated that it has extensive market know-how in the other regions as well, we are pleased with this new alliance”.

Krahn Chemie, which has a history spanning over 100 years, is part of the Otto Krahn group of companies based in Hamburg, Germany. The core business of Krahn Chemie is the distribution and marketing of chemical raw materials and specialty chemicals. The company represents a number of prestigious, globally operating raw material producers in Europe and have more than 5,000 customers.