Archroma To Come To Life.

Former textile, paper and emulsions businesses of Clariant were acquired today by SK Capital Partners.

Reinach, 1 October 2013 – Archroma is delighted to announce its official launch today as a newly formed global color and specialty chemicals company that comprises the former Textile Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products businesses of Clariant. To be combined into a single entity at close, Archroma will continue to deliver specialized performance and color solutions to the textile, paper, adhesives, coatings and construction industries. The three businesses were acquired today by SK Capital Partners, a U.S. based private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors.

To be led by CEO Alexander Wessels, the newly recruited senior leadership team will seek to generate a renewed sense of purpose and vision, and will work closely with the current heads of the three businesses acquired from Clariant, whose unique understanding of their markets and customers has advanced the strategic positioning of Archroma.

“We’re open for business with a new name and a financially strong and knowledgeable parent who believes in our technology, brand and leading market positions,” says new CEO Alexander Wessels. “I’m proud to join a company with a 120-year long history of providing a portfolio of world-class products and driven by a team of highly talented people who bring fresh thinking and ideas to an industry hungry for innovation.”

“The transaction closing comes after a thorough preparation to ensure a seamless transition of the businesses from Clariant to new ownership. In addition, we believe that realigning the three businesses into a single integrated, market-focused and dynamic company will benefit both our employees and our customers.”

Wessels added, “With SK Capital, we strengthen our business and further improve our offering to our customers. We have all the right cards in our hand. We know who we are and what we offer to our customers – innovation, performance, technical expertise, quality, reliability, a global footprint and a commitment to sustainability.”

Archroma will be headquartered in Switzerland along with the management team of Archroma’s Paper Solutions Business. The Textile Specialties Business will be managed from Singapore and the Emulsion Products Business from Brazil.

The company has a new name and new ownership, yet one thing that has not changed is the passion and commitment to excellence.

Customer and market focus

Archroma is favorably positioned in multi-billion-dollar end markets, from fibers and fabrics to paper and packaging to coatings, adhesives and construction; and will continue to develop color and performance materials to serve its customers’ ever changing needs.

• Textile Specialties: From fiber to finish, Archroma’s Textile Specialties Business plays a key role throughout the entire textile supply chain, with special chemicals for pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing of textiles. Product packages enhance the properties of apparel and other textiles in applications as diverse as high fashion, home textiles and special technical textiles.
• Paper Solutions: Archroma’s Paper Solutions Business provides expertise in the management of whiteness, coloration, special coatings and strength for all kind of papers. By combining our focused product range with the application services of our paper experts around the globe, we enhance both the optical and functional properties of paper.
• Emulsion Products: From paints, adhesives and construction to the textile, leather and paper industries, Archroma’s Emulsion Products Business provides solutions for a wide range of applications. Customers have been witness to the outstanding success of Archroma’s Mowilith® emulsions since its first patent was obtained in 1912.

Archroma offers its global customers a reliable and long term commitment to developing new product solutions, application development, process technologies and services with world class quality and technical support.

Archroma, a new name with a trusted heritage

Pronounced Ahr-kroh-mah, the name of the company is reminiscent of the words “arch” and “chroma”. It represents the commitment from 3,000 employees, 25 production sites, 35 countries and 3 businesses to come together in a new company to better meet customer needs. It also confirms the company’s position as a global leader in color and specialty chemicals with strong market insights and a rich heritage of materials excellence and expertise.