Houston, July 23 – The U.S. division of Dorf Ketal Chemicals LLC has hired Chelle Estades as National Account Manager.  In the new position, Estades will be leading the sales and marketing efforts for the Lubricant Additive and Plastic Additive divisions. 

“Chelle has an extensive background in lubricant and plastic additives and meeting customer’s needs,” notes Bill Loven, president, Dorf Ketal Chemicals North America.  “Chelle’s experience and attention to service, coupled with Dorf Ketal’s growing capacity and ability to manufacture specific chemicals to our customers’ requirements, will be well received by the market.”

Prior to joining Dorf Ketal, Chelle was a regional account manager for EP Minerals where she effectively managed annual diatomaceous earth sales in several industries, including coatings, plastics, industrial, beverage and food.

Chelle also spent several years with Ciba Specialty Chemicals and Baker Petrolite. Chelle holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and is an active member of STLE. 

About Dorf Ketal Chemicals LLC
Dorf Ketal, headquartered in Mumbai, India, develops, tests and manufactures specialty chemicals for the petrochemical, adhesive, paint and coating industries.  With few exceptions, most products are produced in the company’s state-of-the-art plant in Mumbai, India and sold through six major sales offices across the globe for guaranteed delivery at competitive rates.

Dorf Ketal produces specialty chemicals for independent lube oil manufacturers and a wide range of performance-engineered products for use in refineries and petrochemical treatment processes.  Dorf Ketal is the exclusive marketer of component additives once manufactured by ExxonMobil Chemical, STAR refinery products, Phlox fuel additives and UOP refinery and additives for plastics.

MUMBAI, May 29, 2009 - Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Limited (SSCL) has divested its Intec business division to Dorf Ketal – a leading speciality chemicals company head quartered in Mumbai. Intec is one of the world leaders in the business of Organic Titanates, Poly Vinyl Formal and Poly Isocyanates, and has its manufacturing unit in Dadra. The business employs close to 60 professionals with a full fledged R&D facility and has a strong export base.
Dorf Ketal Chemicals is one of the most rapidly growing speciality chemical company globally in recent times. In less than 15 years, Dorf Ketal has emerged as a leading supplier of speciality chemicals for downstream hydrocarbon industries and relevant ancillary industries. The acquisition by Dorf Ketal will boost Intec’s business given Dorf Ketal’s focus on product innovation and manufacturing excellence.
Dorf Ketal also has a strong focus on manufacturing excellence and in the recent past have integrated three acquired product lines into their product offerings due to focused research & manufacturing efforts. Since their acquisition of UOP’s plastics additives business in 2003, Dorf Ketal has an existing product offering to customers in the paints & coatings industry – and the current acquisition increases the offering from secondary & speciality amines & resins to organic titanates & polyvinyl formals.
This acquisition will enable the Intec businesses access the vast technical and other resources of the Dorf Ketal Group with it`s presence all over the world by way of subsidiaries and offices - thereby realize its immense growth potential not only in its current product offerings but also in related areas.
Commenting on the acquisition of Intec, Mr. Subodh Menon, Global Business & Operations Director, Dorf Ketal said, “The acquisition of Intec is an excellent strategic fit for our organization and is a well thought plan to cater to newer product segments such as specialty catalysts. Given the R&D focus at Intec, it is likely to bring in great synergy to our ongoing programs and we will exploit this very aggressively. We will increase our presence across the value chain of our global customers & I have no doubt, that this acquisition will help us consolidate our position as a leading global player in the specialty chemicals market”.
Speaking on the divestment, V Ramesh, Director, Sanmar Speciality Chemicals said that this move would help SSCL focus on its core businesses of research services, bio technology and high value intermediates and APIs.
O3 Capital advised the sellers on the transaction while Ernst & Young Pvt. Ltd., worked on the buy side.

About Dorf Ketal:

Dorf Ketal, headquartered in Mumbai, is a global player in process chemicals, and additives for refineries, petrochemicals, fuels, plastics, lubricants and oilfield industries. Dorf has subsidiaries in the USA, Brazil, the Netherlands and Representative offices in China and Bahrain. In a relatively brief span of less than 15 years, Dorf Ketal has emerged as the largest Indian additives manufacturer of process chemicals and additives in the niche product segment of hydrocarbons used in refineries, petrochemical plants, plastics additives and lube additives. Within the large industry of specialty chemicals, the customized solutions and specialized services that the company offers have helped it secure a unique position in serving the specialized refinery and petrochemical segment. The company operates a global distribution network with supply points in all major regions. Dorf Ketal’s State-of-the-Art Manufacturing Plant and Technology Center are located about 60 kilometers away from Mumbai. The company is certified to ISO-9001, ISO-14001 and ISO-18001 Standards by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The company also has the distinction of achieving the SME “Small Medium Enterprise” Emerging India Award – 2005, from CNBC. The company also received another award from Frost & Sullivan for “India Manufacturing: Excellence Award – 2005” amongst Process Facilities.

About Sanmar Specialty Chemicals Limited

Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Limited are a part of the flagship Sanmar Group. The Sanmar group headquartered in Chennai is a multi-billion dollar group with varied interests in Chemicals, Engineering, Polymers etc.

For Further Information:

Mr. P.N. Ramaswamy – Technical Director
Dorf Ketal Chemicals India Pvt Ltd
+91-9867015009 (India)
+18328768518 (US)

Mr. S. B. Prabhakar Rao
Sanmar Speciality Chemicals Limited
044-28128140

MUMBAI, January 05, 2010
Dorf Ketal Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Dorf Ketal), a leading specialty chemicals company headquartered in Mumbai, has acquired the Specialty Catalysts business (comprising organometallic titanates, zirconates and specialty additives) of DuPont Chemicals and Fluoroproducts (the industry pioneer and world leader in the business of Organometallic Titanates) through a new LLC company in the USA with immediate effect. This acquisition includesTyzor® titanates & zirconates and Avitex® hydrocarbon surfactants and antistatic agents used in a broad range of specialty markets and applications. Terms of the agreement are confidential and not being disclosed. Complemented with its earlier acquisition of organometallic titanates, blocked poly isocyanates and polyvinyl formals from an Indian business group earlier in May 2009, Dorf Ketal has become the global leader in these product areas.  Ernst & Young India, which has successfully advised Dorf Ketal on its earlier acquisitions during last few years, acted as the exclusive Financial Advisor on this deal.

The acquisition will provide Dorf Ketal with several product innovations and technological developments pioneered by DuPont in the business since 1960’s. The Tyzor® range of organic titanates and zirconates are used as catalysts for chemical manufacture; as curing and cross-linking agents for coatings, paints and adhesives; and as surface modifiers to improve the properties of electronics, glass, plastics, metals and nanocomposite materials. Important end-use segments include printing inks, corrosion inhibitors, paints and coatings, silicone sealants and plasticizers. The Business has used proprietary processes and technology to develop innovative catalyst solution for several challenging areas such as Sealants (elimination of tin from sealants for automotive and construction applications), Emissions control (to meet stricter air pollution regulations), Polyester catalysis (Consumer preferences and environmental stewardship are favoring antimony-free polyester bottles and food packaging grade film). The Business which generated revenue of around USD 50 mn in 2008, is expected to grow at a fast pace aided by the new product developments in the pipeline.

As a part of the deal, Dorf Ketal acquires DuPont assets associated with the Specialty Catalysts Business including trademarks, sales, marketing and customer service. Dorf Ketal will continue the emphasis of strong Research and Development which has been a key focal area for the business.
To assist with an orderly customer transition, a business transition team has been formed. DuPont will continue to manufacture and supply Specialty Catalyst products to Dorf Ketal for approximately one year under service and supply agreements. During this time, Dorf Ketal will source and supply products made by DuPont while building a new plant.  DuPont is also assisting Dorf Ketal with the technology transfer and start-up of new facilities.

The transition will be implemented in stages while ensuring business continuity for all customers. This transaction underscores Dorf Ketal’s commitment to growth and deliver world-class Products, Services and enhanced value to customers on a consistent basis. The integration will be seamless, providing customers the ability to leverage Dorf Ketal's world-class Products, Service and Technology.
Dorf Ketal is a leading global player in process chemicals and additives for refineries, petrochemicals, fuels, plastics, lubricants and oilfield industries with consolidated revenues of around USD 220 million. This acquisition clubbed with the high organic growth rate, Dorf Ketal expects to achieve revenues of over USD 300 million next year. Dorf Ketal is already the largest refinery chemicals player in India and is now also the largest player in the organo-metallic titanates space globally. Dorf Ketal has subsidiaries in USA, Brazil, the Netherlands and representative offices in China and Bahrain. The strong focus on research and manufacturing excellence has helped the company to successfully acquire and integrate three acquired product lines including UOP’s plastics additives business in 2003 and ExxonMobil’s component additive business in 2007 into its product offerings.

Commenting on the acquisition of the business, Mr. Sudhir Menon, Chairman & Managing Director, Dorf Ketal said, “The acquisition of DuPont’s specialty catalysts business is a well thought plan to consolidate our position in newer product segments such as specialty catalysts. Besides, DuPont’s R&D focus and value added product portfolio including secondary titanates and zirconates will further complement and strengthen the capabilities of Dorf Ketal and help us in consolidating our position as a leading global specialty chemical player. I am happy that we have been able to complete this acquisition in a short time frame of 6 months despite difficult market conditions. In the pipeline are more such strategic acquisitions in the $100 - $200 Million range, we expect to close these in the current year and I am confident that our strong cash flows and under leveraged balance sheet will help us in closing such acquisitions with speed”.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr. Subodh Menon, Founder/Director- Business and Operations , Dorf Ketal said, “The acquisition of DuPont specialty catalysts business will consolidate our position as a global leader in the business of specialty Catalysts. We are embarking on an ambitious project and a world class manufacturing facility to cater to these newer product lines is being planned at a new plant site in India. Dorf Ketal is focused on growth and the group aims to achieve a turnover exceeding $800 Million in the next few years. Dorf Ketal will make significant investments into new economy start ups involved in renewable energy, green chemistries, nano technologies with long product life cycles. There is significant accumulated knowledge in-house to spearhead this effort” commented Mr. Menon

About E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company:
DuPont is a science-based products and services company.  Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere.  Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.