Press releases 2006
Proviron invests in biodiesel
Oostende, Belgium (July, 2006) Proviron is announcing plans to build a biodiesel plant with a capacity of 100.000 tonne/year at the Plassendale industrial estate (Oostende, Belgium)
The company will invest 10 MEUR to convert one of their existing production units. The start-up of the biodiesel production is scheduled for January 2007.
Additional employment of 15 direct and 15 third party staff is being forecast.
The investment is being made under the Proviron strategy to develop a range of products out of recyclable components (raw materials).
General
Proviron is a 100% Belgian family business with 341 staff employed in three plants, one of which is based in West Virginia (US). In 2005 the group had a turnover of 115 M€. Founder Leo Michiels recently passed responsibilities to his sons, Mark and Wim. Their goals are to expand the business with chemical products with respect for both man and
environment.
Biodiesel project
The investment will be minor because Proviron can convert an existing unit for the production of the biodiesel. In addition, the site has the logistic advantage of immediate access to rail, road, canal and seaport. The production unit can also profit from the existing sources of heating. No additional supplies of fossil fuels will be required. Proviron has more than 50 years of experience in the field of esterification technology.
Surplus Values
The production of biodiesel fits in Proviron’s long-term strategy to produce chemical products out of recyclable components. Next to biodiesel, a ‘pure’ fuel, Proviron will transform recyclable raw materials into durable materials. The ‘waste’ glycerine, by-product of the biodiesel production, can be further refined to a valuable product for the plastics industry. Another objective of Proviron is to combine raw material resources (other than the traditional vegetable oils such as rapeseed oil) with bio-technical and agricultural techniques to achieve the maximum yield of solar energy that is stored in plants.
Proviron is an independent player solely in chemical production. Its main objective is to add value to the chemical possibilities of ‘green’ components.
Press releases 2005
PROVIRON FINE CHEMICALS ACQUIRES AIR PRODUCTS’ SODIUM VINYL SULFONATE NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITES
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. (October, 2005) Proviron Fine Chemicals NV today announced that it has acquired Air Products (NYSE:APD) sodium vinyl sulfonate (SVS) North American distribution activities, effective October 1, 2005. With this acquisition, Proviron reinforces its worldwide sales and marketing activities for SVS. Air Products decision to exit the SVS business was related to recognition of Proviron’s superior position to serve North American customers, allowing Air Products to focus on the growth of its Performance Materials business.
The sale includes Air Products’ SVS customer lists, but does not directly impact any employees or physical production facilities. Previously, Proviron sold SVS to Air Products, and Air Products conducted North American sales, marketing, and distribution for the product. These activities will all be fully assumed by Proviron with the sale. "Through this acquisition and with our world scale capacity already installed, we are ready to serve all American customers directly," said Bruno Reyntjens, business manager of Proviron.
“Proviron is in a better position to serve customers on an on-going basis as the world’s largest producer of SVS. We see this as another move to again increase focus on the growth of our Performance Materials business,” said Mark Wydra, general manager of Performance Solutions at Air Products. Air Products growth platforms beyond Performance Materials include: Electronics, Refinery Hydrogen and Homecare, as well as focus on Asia as a growth region.
SVS is used as an emulsifying agent in water-based systems. Diverse end-product markets served include paints, glues, photography, and galvanic baths for metals processing, among other applications.
About Air Products
Air Products (NYSE:APD) serves customers in technology, energy, healthcare and industrial markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of products, services and solutions, providing atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials and chemical intermediates. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture, operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment and is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability and FTSE4Good Indices. The company has annual revenues of $7.4 billion, operations in over 30 countries, and nearly 20,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.
About Proviron Fine Chemicals NV
Proviron Fine Chemicals NV, of Ostend, Belgium, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Proviron Holding NV. The Proviron group of companies produces chemical products under its own brand and as a sub-contractor for large multinational chemical customers (toll-manufacturing). Proviron branded chemicals include plasticizers and organic intermediates. Proviron operates 2 sites in Belgium and 1 in the US, employs more than 300 people and realised a turnover of 130 million USD in 2004. For more information, visit www.proviron.com.
NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.