Univar adds bio solvents to pan-European portfolio
- Categories: Sustainability, Suppliers agreement, Products, Industry, Univar Europe News
- 01 March 2010
New distribution agreement with Liberty Chemicals srl will see Univar Europe offer customers environmentally-friendly alternatives to common solvents
Brussels, Belgium – 26th February 2010 – Univar, a leading global chemical distributor, has announced a pan-European distribution agreement with Italy’s Liberty Chemicals srl, sole European representative of Vertec BioSolvents, Inc. Univar’s strong sales and marketing teams complement chemical producers and create value for customers. The company provides technical expertise in application development, excellence in logistics support, and outstanding customer service to help its partners grow their business.
The product range comprises 15 biodegradable, carbon neutral and cost-effective alternatives to widely-used conventional solvents. Though there is, as yet, no legal requirement for manufacturers to use biodegradable alternatives in their production processes, Univar has been proactive in sourcing ‘green’ ingredients for customers that wish to offer more sustainable solutions in their product ranges.
Vertec BioSolvents, Inc. is one of the first companies to develop environmentally-friendly alternatives to common ingredients used across a number of industries.
“Sustainability is a key priority for Univar and we are always looking to expand and diversify our product range so naturally we are very excited to be able to offer our customers these innovative new products,” says Marc Démoulin, Supplier Director Coatings for Univar EMEA. “As an environmentally aware company, that has been a sector pioneer in sustainability initiatives, this range fits perfectly with our strategy to provide solutions and eco-alternatives for our customers.”
Sonia Pires, recently appointed EMEA leader for Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) / Sustainability, says, “In addition to offering a ‘green’ product range, we also plan to launch initiatives to drive our business towards carbon neutrality, increase our energy and transport efficiency and to raise awareness of sustainable behaviour both internally and externally.”
Liberty Chemicals srl, was impressed with Univar’s network of existing relationships with Europe’s coatings producers - an industry which represents the primary market for solvents. Univar’s application development expertise and unparalleled customer reach result in coatings customers buying an average of twice as many products from Univar as other chemicals distributors.
“We are very pleased to now be able to sell to every coatings producer around Europe through Univar’s extensive network,” says Renato Giani, Liberty Chemicals srl. “This range of high-performance solvents has already enjoyed remarkable success in the US where they are used by a number of multinational groups. We are looking forward to building on this success here in Europe, with Univar’s knowledge of and expertise in the coatings market.”
-Ends-
About Univar
Univar is one of the world’s leading distributors of industrial and specialty chemicals. Univar represents over 2,500 chemical producers and provides its customer base, made up of 250,000 customers, with a full portfolio of products. Univar operates a network of approximately 170 distribution facilities throughout North America, Europe, and China. In 2008, Univar reported sales of $9.4 billion. For more information, visit: http://www.univarcorp.com/.
Operating from 56 distribution centres in 20 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Univar’s 2,400 local employees serve more than 50,000 customers in a diverse range of industries including coatings, food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, and other major sectors. To learn more about Univar Europe, please visit: http://www.univareurope.com/.
About Vertec BioSolvents, Inc.
Vertec BioSolvents Inc. is a unique technology and manufacturing company dedicated to providing bio-based, renewable resource alternatives to petroleum-based solvents, a business dedicated to “Green” chemistry. The company manufactures custom blends of biosolvents based primarily on four major ingredients – ethyl lactate, fatty acid methyl esters (soy methyl esters), d-limonene and ethanol for a variety of specialty applications in industrial and agricultural markets. For more information, visit: http://www.vertecbiosolvents.com/
About Liberty Chemicals
Liberty Chemicals, founded in 1995 in Italy, is a supplier of auxiliary and speciality chemicals to the textile industry. The company places great emphasis on technical support to customers, backed by well equipped laboratories and specialists with in-depth knowledge of the relevant chemistry and technology.
In 2005 a new division was created, in a commercial partnership with Vertec BioSolvents, Inc., to supply a range of environmentally friendly ‘green’ solvents, used in a wide variety of industries. For more information, visit: http://www.libertychems.com/
For further information please contact:
Catherine Lennon
Communications Manager, Europe, Middle East & Africa
Univar Europe
T +32 (0) 2 525 05 63
F +32 (0) 2 520 17 51
M +32 (0) 478 251 588
catherine.lennon@univareurope.com
Julian Rea
Account Manager, CitySavvy PR
T: + 44 (0) 207 395 1000
M: + 44 (0) 7825 66 3000
julian@citysavvy.com
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