History

A history of constant growth

Initially a company operating solely in Belgium, in just a few decades, Tessenderlo Group has become an international company with over 100 branches in 22 countries.

1892	Founding of the chemical entity 'Exploitation des Procédés Raynaud' in Tessenderlo while producing sodium sulphate and chloric acid for the paper, glass and detergents industry.

1919-1953 Foundation and Establishment

1919	Purchase of the installations by L'Union Française des Produits Chimiques & Matières Colorantes (Belgian capital). The company is renamed Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo (PCT) to manufacture sulphate of potash (fertiliser) and hydrochloric acid.
1923	Commercial agreement between PCT and the French SCPA (Société Commerciale des Potasses d'Alsace).
1929	Creation of Produits Chimiques du Limbourg (PCL), by merging PCT with the Mines de Potasse d'Alsace, to manufacture and export potassium sulphate and dicalcium phosphate. Building of plant in Ham. Entrance of French capital.
1930	Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo employs approximately 1,000 staff and more than 80% of its production is exported worldwide.
1936 - 1953	Due to world crisis, Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo withdraws from PCL setting up new independent operations based on manufacturing products derived from salt and potash, such as:· Sulphuric acid, through roasting;· Potassium and sodium sulphate, by breaking down chlorides with sulphuric acid and creating hydrochloric acid as a by-product (Mannheim process);· Dicalcium phosphate by treating rock phosphate with hydrochloric acid, a pioneering process giving a crystallised product for fertilisers and, subsequently, animal feed;· Chlorine, caustic soda and caustic potash by electrolysis, as well as derivatives of these products
1937	Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo is listed on the Brussels Stock Exchange.
1942	An explosion leaves 189 dead and 900 people wounded.

1954-1982 Development and Diversification

1954	Mines de Potasses d’Alsace, the later EMC (Entreprise Minière & Chimique) takes over Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo and, with its subsidiary PCL, creates the core of the new group.
1964	Gelatin production is introduced with the acquisition of Vilvoorde-based company, Pont Brûlé, a manufacturer of gelatin, sodium sulphate and dicalcium phosphate.
1967	Creation in France of EMC (Entreprise Minière & Chimique).
1969	Creation of Limburgse Vinyl Maatschappij (LVM) – in association with DSM – to produce vinyl chloride monomer at Tessenderlo. Production started in 1972.
1972	Creation of the subsidiary PB Gelatins.Produits Chimiques de Tessenderloo is renamed Tessenderlo Chemie.
1973	Acquisition of Colles et Gelatines de Zaventem by PB Gelatins.
1975	Acquisition of Nienburger Gelatine in Nienburg/Weser (Germany).Acquisition of Limburgse Rubber Producten (LRP).
1976	Entry into the fine chemicals market with the production of benzyl chloride at Tessenderlo (J.V.).Acquisition of Société Artésienne de Vinyle (SAV) in Mazingarbe, France.Construction of a new electrolysis unit at Tessenderlo.The common link between the majority of these developments is based on the production of chlorine and/or hydrochloric acid.
1980	Acquisition of 100% of Benzyl Chemie.

1983-2009 Expansion and internationalisation per Business Group

1983	The different group companies are merged into Tessenderlo Chemie NV and the group's major areas of activity are established.

Tessenderlo Kerley

1995	First manufacturing foothold in the USA with the formation of Tessenderlo Kerley Inc., the leading world manufacturer (+ 12 plants) of sulphur-based derivatives for agricultural and industrial use.
2007	Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc (TKI), in Phoenix, US, sells its shares in Tessenderlo Davidson Companies (TDC) to Davidson Petroleum Products (DPP) in Ruston, US. TDC was a joint marketing venture between TKI and DPP.
	Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. (TKI) acquires the Terbacil crop protection activity from DuPont Crop Protection in Wilmington, Delaware (USA).The acquisitions of Terbacil and Surround® are a part of TKI's expansion plans for its niche crop protection activities, undertaken by its new business unit NovaSource™.
2008	In September, Tessenderlo Kerley acquired the assets, marketing and distribution channels of Agrochem (Izmir, Turkey). Agrochem has been a key distributor for Tessenderlo Kerley in the area for the past 14 years and has been manufacturing Tessenderlo Kerley plant nutrient solutions.
	In October, Tessenderlo Kerley acquired 30 % of the shares of Wolf Mountain Products LLC, Lindon, Utah (USA), with an option to purchase an additional 20 % during the first half of 2014. Wolf Mountain Products offers a broad range of high quality bark and wood-based products used as soil amendments, ground covers and playground chips.
2009	Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. acquires the Linuron herbicide assets from DuPont Crop Protection.
2010	The Tessenderlo Kerley activities are now a seperate Business Group.
2011	In March, Tessenderlo Group announces that its US-based subsidiary Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc, (TKI) and Gary Williams Energy Corporation (GWEC) have entered into a long term agreement, to expand the sulfur processing capability at GWEC‟s Wynnewood refinery (Oklahoma), as well as TKI‟s sulfur-based fertiliser capacity.
	In May, Tessenderlo Group announces that its US-based subsidiary Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc, (TKI) will expand its facility located at Burley, Idaho, with an adjacent ATS manufacturing plant.

Organic Specialities

Akiolis

1986	Acquisition of the Caillaud group, specialist in collecting and processing animal by-products, providing high-quality raw materials (France).
2006	Caillaud (FR) sets up a joint venture with Ferso for the collection and the processing of animal by-products, covering as such the whole of France.
2008	Caillaud, that specialises in the collection, processing and valorisation of organic by-products changes its name to Akiolis. This is with a view to the international development of its activities.
2009	Akiolis acquires the remaining 50 % stake in the Fiso Group. Fiso's daughter companies FERSO BIO and SOLAGRA, as well as its subsidiary ISPAC are fully integrated in the group.

Gelatin

1985	Purchase of a manufacturing unit in the UK (Treforest - South Wales).
1995	Acquisition of Belgian group, Baert-Verlee, well known in the animal meals and fats markets.
2003	Acquisition of production sites for gelatin in Davenport (USA) and Santa Fé (Argentina), the first outside Europe for the Natural Organic Products division of Tessenderlo Group and creation of PB Leiner USA and PB Leiner Argentina.
2006	PB Gelatins sets up a joint venture to be known as PB Gelatins (Pingyang) Co., Ltd near Wenzhou in southeastern China together with a Chinese partner.
2007	Tessenderlo Group sells its flavouring and food ingredients activity "PB Gelatins France" to the French company Nactis.
2009	27 October 2009, Tessenderlo Group started the construction of a new factory for the production of gelatin in Acorizal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The new production unit will be operational in 2011.
2010	Tessenderlo Group is investing in a new factory for the production of gelatin in Heilongjiang in China.

Fine Chemicals / Pharma

1984	Start of glycine production at Tessenderlo (Belgium).
1987	Acquisition of Eka Chemie's benzyl alcohol plant at Maastricht (The Netherlands), Chemielim.
1989	Acquisition of Farchemia, manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals at Treviglio (Italy).
1990	Association with SNPE to manufacture oxalyl chloride at the Produits Chimiques de Loos plant (France), Chemilyl.
1992	Acquisition of Calaire Chimie, producer of intermediates for penicillin manufacture (France).
1995	Threefold increase in capacity at the Maastricht benzyl alcohol plant (The Netherlands).
1995	The group ventures into Asia by signing a joint-venture with the Lianyungang Chemical Factory in China, for an annual production of 12,000 tonnes of benzyl chloride and derivatives.
1997	Acquisition of a chlorotoluene and chlorobenzene plant in Pieve Vergonte (Italy).
2001	Acquisition of Atofina's chlorotoluene business in Widnes (UK) and creation of Tessenderlo UK Ltd. Closed in 2008.
2001	Acquisition of Acordis Fine Chemicals in Leek (UK) and creation of Tessenderlo Fine Chemicals Ltd.
2003	Tessenderlo Group becomes sole shareholder of Taile Chemical Industry (China).
2006	Tessenderlo Group founds its proper trading office Tessenderlo Trading Shanghai Co. Ltd in the Chinese city of Shanghai.
2009	The organic chlorine derivatives are transferred to the Chemicals business group as of 1 January 2009.
	The group decides to withdraw from the glycine market by the end of 2010

Plastics Converting

Plastic Pipes Systems

1984	Acquisition of Sotra in St. Austreberthe (France), pipe manufacturer.
1987	Acquisition of Dyka Steenwijk (The Netherlands) and Dyka Plastics (Belgium), active in pipes and fittings.
1993	Acquisition of Deltaplast (The Netherlands).
1996	Acquisition of Seperef in Quincieux (France), producer of PVC and PE pipes.
2001	Acquisition of John Davidson Pipes, substantial distributor of plastic pipes and fittings in the UK.
2008	Tessenderlo Group acquires the Dutch company Nyloplast Europe BV. Nyloplast manufactures large-diameter plastic fittings for pressureless pipe systems used for draining sewage and rain water. This acquisition enables the Plastic Pipe Systems Business Unit to extend its range of products and services for total water management and to strengthen its position in Europe.
2009	Closure of Sotra-Seperef plant in Quincieux (France).

Profiles

1986	Acquisition of Plastival in Clerval (France), specialist in plastic profiles.
1995	Acquisition of the Wymar group, manufacturer of PVC window profiles in Belgium, France and Canada.
1996	Acquisition of Chelsea Building Products, Oakmont (Pennsylvania - USA), producer of plastic profiles.
1998	Acquisition of 75% of Fairbrook plc in Alfreton - Derbyshire (UK), producer of plastic profiles. Fairbrook operates through its subsidiaries HL Plastics and Eurocell profiles.Acquisition of 28% of MEDABIL Plasticos (Brasil), producer of plastic profiles.
2003	Acquisition of the remaining 25% of Fairbrook plc.
2004	Divestment from Medabil Tessenderlo.Acquisition of the French Acôme PVC profiles activities.
2005	Participation increase to 82 % in Dynaplast-Extruco (Canada).Divestment from Tarpey Harris and HL Plastics.
2006	Eurocell Building Plastics Ltd takes over the six depots of Brunel Plastics, a distributor of PVC profiles for construction in the South-West of England. The acquisition fits into Eurocell's growth strategy that aims to bring its distribution network closer to the end user.
2008	Eurocell, British market leader for the production and distribution of pvc profiles, acquires the distributor Peninsula Plastics and reinforces its position in the North West of England.
	Eurocell acquires the assets of Sprint 1233, formerly Plastmo Profiles Ltd (Northampton, UK). This acquisition will secure Eurocell's position as the number one PVC-window profiles extruder in the UK, as well as complementing its existing product range
	Eurocell Profiles Ltd (UK) acquires Cavalok Building Products. Cavalok manufactures window and door cavity closer systems made from post-consumer recycled PVC.
2009	Plastival (FR), Profex (FR) en Wymar (BE) join forces in a new organisation named Profialis. Profialis mainly focuses on the French, Belgian and Dutch markets.
	Eurocell Profiles acquires Merritt Plastics Ltd (UK), a post-consumer PVC-u recycling and extrusion company and Recovinyl certified recycler.
2011	Tessenderlo Group sold its US subsidiary Chelsea Building Products Inc. - designer and producer of PVC profiles for windows and doors and speciality products - to Graham Partners.

Compounds

1991	Acquisition of Thermoplastiques Cousin Tessier in Tiffauges (France), producer of compounds and thermoplastic elastomers.
1999	Acquisition of the PVC compound plant of Boryszew in Warsaw (Poland), through TCT Polska.
2001	Acquisition of Technicompound in Doué-la-Fontaine, near Nantes (France), PVC compound manufacturer.
2002	Acquisition of the French compounder Saplast.
2009	Closure of Saplast (F) plant.
2010	New production plant in China that will produce thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and PVC slush compounds for its customers in the automotive industry.
2011	Opening of new branch office in Shanghai of CTS China Plant in line with the globalisation strategy of BU Compounds.

Chemicals

As from 1 January 2009 Chemicals includes in addition to sulfates, phosphates and PVC/chlor-alkali, the organic chlorine derivatives coming from fine chemicals, the phosphate activities are clustered in a new independent organisation named Aliphos. In 2010, Tessenderlo Kerley, became a seperate business group.

1988	Purchase of Produits Chimiques de Loos' Frédéric Kühlmann' plant manufacturing chlorine, alkalis and mineral chlorides (France).
1989	Tessenderlo Group acquires DSM's 50% share in LVM, becoming LVM's sole shareholder and owner of the PVC plant in Beek (The Netherlands).VCM production in Tessenderlo; PVC production in Beek and Mazingarbe (France).
1990	Creation of Société Zéoline SA, a 50/50 joint venture with Prayon, for the production of zeolites at Engis (Belgium).
1995	Acquisition of Norsk Hydro's feed phosphates production unit in Vlaardingen, The Netherlands, and creation of Tessenderlo Chemie Rotterdam.
1996	Diversification of Aliphos' activities with the acquisition of Wittelsheim's carbonate and bicarbonate plant in Alsace (France).
1999	Acquisition of Kappa in Cologna-Veneta (Italy), producer of dicalcium phosphates and fertilisers.
2001	Creation of Potasas Y Derivados (PYD) - a joint venture (50/50) with Ercros (Spain) - for the marketing of potassium sulphates and speciality fertilisers.
2002	As of the 1st of January 2002 Tessenderlo Group takes over the SOP marketing and sales activities of SCPA.Tessenderlo Group acquires Ercros' remaining share in PYD.
2004	Closure of the Aliphos plant (France).
2006	The new electrolysis unit (ELY III), at an investment of 150 million EUR and using state of the art membrane technology, is inaugurated at the Tessenderlo Chemie plant in Tessenderlo (Belgium).
2008	The phosphates activities are clustered in a new independent organisation named Aliphos
2009	As from 1 January 2009, Chemicals includes, in addition to sulfates, phosphates and PVC/chlor-alkali, the organic chlorine derivatives coming from fine chemicals.
	On 24 September 2009, Tessenderlo Group announced it pulls out of the zeolite activity. The group which had a stake of in the zeolite segment via a joint venture (50/50) with Prayon SA in Engis (Belgium), has sold this non-strategic shareholding to Prayon.
2010	The Tessenderlo Kerley activities become a seperate business group as of 2010.
2011	Tessenderlo Group sells its subsidiary Fine Chemicals Ltd. that produces esters and aroma products
	Tessenderlo Group sells its PVC/Chlor - Alkali and part of its OCD business

Tessenderlo Chemie NV: change of shareholdership end 2004

17.25 % of the capital of Tessenderlo Chemie NV held by EMC Parbel NV (French mines) were sold on November 29, 2004 by means of private placements on the secondary market to institutional investors in Belgium and abroad. The remaining stake of 26.41 % in Tessenderlo Chemie's capital, owned by the French State was transferred within the public sector by contribution in kind of shares, to SNPE.