Kermira expands global reach through US acquisitions

Although the financial terms and conditions of the acquisition were not revealed Kemira said the main aim of the acquisition is to expand its position as one of the world's leading suppliers of titanium dioxide products for the cosmetics industry. Kemira's specialty division is particularly noted for its UV-Titan products, a nanotechnology-based product that is now widely used in sunscreens for a variety of personal care products, as well as packaging products to help extend shelf life of perishable goods. "Through TRI-K we can expand our offering especially in skin and hair care," said Pekka Ojanpaa, president of Kemira Specialty. "Furthermore, we will strengthen our presence in North America through the addition of TRI-K's extensive sales and distribution network," Pekka added. New Jersey-based TRI-K is a supplier of specialty raw materials to the global personal care and cosmetic industry, with a particularly comprehensive coverage of the US market. Currently it employs 50 people and recorded sales of $20m in 2006 and particularly specialises in the production of active ingredients, associated technologies and functional materials. At the end of February TRI-K confirmed that it had been exclusively appointed as the representative and distributor for Mibelle Biochemistry - a Swiss company specialising in the research of personal care active ingredients. TRI-K's Maybrook subsidiary is based in Lawrence Massachusetts and specialises in the manufacturing of cosmetics preparations and is a pioneer in the manufacturing of keratin-based products. The Kemira group is a global chemicals giant with three other divisions besides the specialties business - coatings, pulp and paper and water treatment. In 2006 it had a turnover of approximately €2.5bn and around 9,000 staff on its payroll.