Solenis Acquires Paper Process Chemicals Business of KLK Kolb Group

Acquisition will expand Solenis’ product offering and provide long-term supply agreement for process chemistries.

Solenis and Kolb Distribution Ltd. (“Kolb”), a unit of KLK Kolb Group, have announced that Solenis has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the latter’s paper process chemicals business. The deal includes a long-term supply agreement, in which the KLK Kolb Group will manufacture paper process chemicals exclusively for Solenis.

KLK Kolb Group offers a broad portfolio of paper process chemicals, including deposit control, cleaning and foam control agents primarily for the EMEA pulp and paper markets. Its wide range of manufacturing process technologies, including alkoxylation, esterification and dispersion, enables KLK Kolb Group to offer a broad range of products, as well as offer customized solutions for its customers.

The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of Q1 2023, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions.

Solenis and KLK Kolb Group will continue to operate as independent companies until the transaction is complete.

Kolb’s outstanding reputation is built on their customer-centric and high-quality service business model. We are excited to welcome the Kolb team and their excellent product portfolio as we continue to strive toward being the best-in-class provider of paper process chemicals.

John Panichella, CEO, Solenis

“Establishing a long-term supply agreement will provide customers throughout EMEA assurance of supply for cost-effective and high-quality products,” said Jonas Boström, Vice President and General Manager, EMEA Consumer Solutions, Solenis. “The added range of process technologies and product flexibility ensures that we can meet even more application-specific product needs.” 

“KLK Kolb Group has a reputation of providing our customers with extensive application know-how and expertise to provide the best solutions to tackle complex challenges,” said Florian Krückl, Managing Director, KLK Kolb Group. “I am confident that by combining our paper process chemicals portfolio with Solenis’ channel to market, we will drive value through an enhanced customer experience.”

The Kolb transaction marks the fourth add-on acquisition since Platinum Equity acquired Solenis last year.

“Solenis is proving to be an outstanding platform for growth, both organically and through strategic M&A,” said Platinum Equity Partner, Jacob Kotzubei. “We will continue working with John and the management team to find more opportunities to help the company expand.”

About Solenis
Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals focused on delivering sustainable solutions for water-intensive industries, including the pulp, packaging paper and board, tissue and towel, oil and gas, petroleum refining, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power, municipal, and pool and spa markets. Owned by Platinum Equity, the company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids and functional additives, as well as state-of-the-art monitoring and control systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact and maintain healthy water. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 49 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over 6,400 professionals in 120 countries across five continents. Solenis is a 2022 US Best Managed Company.
For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com or follow them on social media.

About Kolb
KLK Kolb Group manufactures surfactants and other chemical specialties. Our main products are fatty alcohol and acid ethoxylates, fatty amine ethoxylates, phosphate esters, alcohol sulphates and sulphonates, ester quats, triglyceride ethoxylates, sorbitan esters and other chemistries that are used for wetting, emulsifying, low foaming, solubilizing, viscosity modifying and viscosity stabilizing. The company processes natural and synthetic raw materials into high-quality products at three production sites in Switzerland and the Netherlands employing around 500 people.
KLK Kolb Group is a unit of KLK Oleo, a global oleochemical producer with integrated complexes located strategically in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and Europe. KLK OLEO offers an array of high-quality, innovative and sustainable products and solutions. It is the manufacturing division of Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad, a leading international plantations group, listed on Bursa Malaysia, with a market capitalization of approximately USD5.2 billion at the end of September 2021.
For more information, please visit www.kolb.ch and www.klkoleo.com