Univar acquires US-based Chemical Associates

Univar has acquired the assets of Chemical Associates, the US-based chemical distributor announced on Thursday. 

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Founded in 1981, Chemical Associates is a marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of oleochemicals, including tall oil fatty acids, oleic acids, stearic acids, fractionated acids, fatty alcohols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, coconut fatty acids, castor derivatives, methyl esters, calcium stearate, metallic stearates, and glycerine, many of which are based on renewable and sustainable resources.

"The acquisition of Chemical Associates will help increase the value Univar can bring in a number of our key markets such as personal care, food, cleaning and sanitization, lubricants, and coatings and adhesives," said Univar CEO Erik Fyrwald. 

"Oleochemicals are the building blocks for a wide variety of products, and complement our existing deep product and service offering in the US," he added. "In addition, we will gain enhanced access to global sources for various grades of oils/acids and the technical expertise to reformulate and create unique grades of these products to meet customers' prime product specifications."

Chemical Associates specializes in blending, mixing, and packaging formulated oleochemical products and serves customers from 14 locations throughout the US and can supply packaged and bulk quantities. The acquired business will be combined with Univar USA's operations.

"For more than 30 years, we have worked hard to build our reputation in the marketplace as a highly capable, competent, and dependable supplier of oleochemical products," said Nick Berchtold, president and owner of Chemical Associates.

 "We welcome the opportunity to further build on this legacy as part of a leading global organization, and by leveraging the new opportunities that Univar will provide to our customers, suppliers and, most importantly, our employees," he added.