ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, June 15, 2009 – Beginning July 1, LyondellBasell Industries will concentrate its distribution activities in the United Kingdom on Brenntag UK and Ireland, which will serve as the official distributor of the company’s propylene oxide (PO) derivative product range.
“Our company has had a long-standing and fruitful relationship with Brenntag throughout Europe,” said Simon Goswell, LyondellBasell’s vice president of Chemical Sales in Europe. “Through this agreement, we achieve greater economies of scale and reduce supply chain complexity for our customers by offering a single channel for the company’s PO derivatives in the UK.”
Main distributor in Europe
Having started working with Brenntag in Germany in the 1980s, LyondellBasell has largely consolidated its distribution network in Europe with Brenntag over the past ten years. Due to its extensive knowledge of the European distribution market and its market leading position, Brenntag has been operating as an essential part of LyondellBasell’s European channel to market PO products.
“We are proud to support LyondellBasell’s business,” said Clare Waters, managing director of Brenntag UK and Ireland. “As part of the leading chemical distribution company in Europe, we are pleased to complement our portfolio in the UK with LyondellBasell’s high quality products, which will be converted from large-scale quantities into the product supplies required by customers.”
LyondellBasell is the world’s leading producer of PO, a commodity chemical used in the manufacture of polyurethanes and as a building block in the production of intermediate products, which are found in everything from antifreeze to cosmetics. PO derivative products include, among others, butanediol, propylene glycol and solvents.
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LyondellBasell Industries is one of the world’s largest polymers, petrochemicals and fuels companies. We are the global leader in polyolefins technology, production and marketing; a pioneer in propylene oxide and derivatives; and a significant producer of fuels and refined products, including biofuels. Through research and development, LyondellBasell develops innovative materials and technologies that deliver exceptional customer value and products that improve quality of life for people around the world. Headquartered in The Netherlands, LyondellBasell (www.lyondellbasell.com) is privately owned by Access Industries.
Brenntag, the global leader in chemical distribution, recorded global 2008 sales of EUR 7.4 billion (USD 10.8 billion). Today the company operates in excess of 300 locations with more than 11,000 people in 64 countries. In keeping with the company’s strong position in world markets, Brenntag is committed to providing value to its customers and suppliers through superior supply chain logistics, single sourcing, technical assistance and other value added services. Brenntag offers an unrivalled, extensive and state-of-the-art distribution network for industrial and specialty chemicals to its suppliers and customers alike throughout the world. For more information on Brenntag UK & Ireland, please visit: www.brenntag.co.uk
For information, contact:
Media – Waldemar Oldenburger, +49 69 305 854 59 or
waldemar.oldenburger@lyondellbasell.com