Following the recent merger of AkzoNobel and ICI, AkzoNobel will integrate the former ICI’s Specialty Polymers Group into AkzoNobel’s other Specialty Chemicals business units.

As a result, Elotex will become part of AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals, while Alco and Personal Care will join AkzoNobel Surfactants, which will be renamed AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry. These changes are aimed at better capturing the available business opportunities within the new businesses.

The integration will allow AkzoNobel to more easily capture product line synergies while sharing support infrastructure. It is well in line with the company’s strategy to become a more focused, leading player in the chemicals industry.

“The integration of the Personal Care and Alco businesses considerably boosts our position in the market,” explained Frank Sherman, manager of AkzoNobel’s Surfactants business. ”The union of these two units will create a group that spans technologies in natural polymers, synthetic polymers and specialty surfactants under one roof. We see this as a significant step forward in our strategy to become a more valued strategic partner to our key customers.”

Added Bob Margevich, manager of AkzoNobel Functional Chemicals: “We already have good relationships with most of Elotex’s key customers, which is an important factor in being able to successfully integrate the business into our operations. Our immediate task is to sit down with our new colleagues and find the external synergies, as well as working out the various day-to-day internal business processes and harmonizing them with ours. From what we have seen so far, we expect a smooth integration.” The integration process will start immediately.