History
A stage-by-stage history of BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution
From Cologne to Europe and from Ludwigshafen to the world
BASF
In the 1960s, BASF began systematically building production facilities abroad, with plants being set up in Brazil, France, India, Japan, Australia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Great Britain and the USA. Of particular significance was the Antwerp production facility which quickly became the second largest of the company’s European bases. In this way, BASF gradually developed into a multinational company, focusing its activities primarily on Europe, the USA, Latin America and East Asia.
Company founded as Tensid-Chemie
BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution GmbH was founded under the name of Tensid-Chemie Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH on 1 July 1969 by BASF together with Düren-based chemicals merchant Hans Otto Hummel. The company was founded with a view to marketing surfactants and chelating agents in Germany, focusing primarily on small and medium-sized customers.
BASF
From 1965 onwards, company policy was geared towards adding consumer products and other high value-added lines to the product range. BASF then acquired and set up companies which manufactured end products such as coatings, medicine, crop protection products and fertilisers.
Tensid-Chemie
In 1975, Tensid-Chemie added a distribution unit to cater for electroplating customers.
BASF
As production expanded, the question of environmental protection grew in importance. In 1957, BASF joined forces with Stuttgart University to begin developing the first systematic plans. The residue incinerator was fitted with its first rotary furnace in 1964 and the DM 500 million clarification plant was opened ten years later. The flue gas desulphurisation facility of the Kohlekraftwerk Mitte coal-fired power plant was completed in 1988. One year later, BASF opened a new environmental centre and the BASF Ecology Laboratory finally commenced work in 1991.
Tensid-Chemie
When Hans Otto Hummel retired from Tensid-Chemie in 1979, BASF Ludwigshafen became sole shareholder of Tensid-Chemie Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH.
BASF
Following the reunification of Germany on 3 October 1990, BASF took over Synthesewerk Schwarzheide in Lower Lusatia, where it invested DM 1.4 billion in the course of the following years. Since the 1980s, BASF has been an increasingly active player in the growth markets of South and East Asia, investing extensively here as well. Initially, the main focus of attention was South Korea. However, the beginning of the 1990s saw increased investment in China.
In 1998, BASF joined forces with PetroFina to begin building the world’s largest steam cracker in Port Arthur, USA. The new cracker, which went into operation in December 2001, is the cornerstone of the company’s integrated production strategy in North America and is one of the largest single investments ever made by BASF outside Europe.
Tensid-Chemie
In 1991, a distribution unit for flocculants was set up. At the end of the same year, Tensid-Chemie took over parts of BASF AG’s special chemicals distribution. Two years later, Tensid-Chemie relocated its headquarters from Düren to Cologne and expanded its small customer management activities. In 1994, the company focused on special sectors as well as turning its attention to small customer and small volume management.
In the course of this development, core activities in the field of detergents and cleaners were returned to BASF. In 1997, Tensid-Chemie assumed responsibility for marketing Koresin worldwide. At the turn of the following year, the company also took over the activities of Mannheim-based company Cappel in the field of paints and dispersions. Eighteen months later, the company took over small leather specialist Dohmen. Also in 1999, Tensid-Chemie went online for the first time with its company website www.tensid.de .
BASF
In 2000, BASF agreed to acquire the crop protection business of the AmericanHomeProducts Corporation (AHP), thereby doubling its worldwide business in this field. On 7 June 2000, BASF shares were dealt on the New York Stock Exchange for the first time, meaning that BASF was finally listed on the world’s largest stock market.In June 2001, BASF was one of the very first companies to set up a sustainability council. This body was responsible for implementing the principles of Sustainable Development across the Group. True to the motto “Fit for the Future”, a new organisational structure was introduced in 2001. By establishing 38 regional and 10 global business units, it was possible to increase customer focus and strengthen market presence.
Tensid-Chemie
In 2001, Tensid-Chemie switched from small customer management to sector-based management. In November of the same year, BASF’s own business in dispersions and performance chemicals in Europe was taken over by Tensid-Chemie. Just under a year later, it took over the small-scale paper operations belonging to BASF AG. Tensid-Chemie was also involved in the organisational changes resulting from the BASF “Fit for the Future” programme. In 2003, Tensid-Chemie became BASF AG’s distribution channel for electroplating and electronics chemicals, biocides, waxes and wax emulsion. In addition, the company took over the distribution of BASF AG textile chemicals in Europe. In 2004, Tensid-Chemie became the distribution channel for BASF AG in the area of oilfield and water treatment, changing its name to BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution.
BTC is the European distribution organisation of the BASF Group and its expert sales partner in the field of special chemicals. BTC consists of nine BASF distribution organisations which complement each other perfectly in the goal-driven market and sector development. A key pillar of the distribution company is Cologne-based Tensid-Chemie which merged with BTC on 1 January 2005 and now operates under the new name of BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution GmbH. The aim of BTC is to establish itself as the number one in the European special chemicals market.
Outlook – new avenues
BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution is also responsible for marketing colorants. In spring 2005, BTC Speciality Chemical Distribution GmbH took over parts of BASF’s business in the field of performance chemicals for coatings, plastics and speciality products, thereby expanding its presence in this market segment alongside its traditional business.
BTC in Cologne – the centre for global activities
Cologne remains the centre of BTC customer care activities – both for the German market and the growing European and global market. As a member of the BTC Europe and BASF Group Verbund – integrated network – BTC Germany and its customers enjoy unique advantages with regard to product variety and availability as well as logistics and service. In short: pioneering opportunities for international cooperation and expansion. Together with BASF companies and agents in other countries, BTC Germany offers its customers a distribution system which permits unlimited growth.
BTC in Cologne – service from a single source
Optimal results can only be achieved with an optimal product. Alongside the innovative BASF quality range, BTC in Cologne offers its customers 'service single sourcing’, whereby it procures any non-BASF special products which the customer may additionally require. In this way, all customers can reap the benefits of system solutions from a single source, tailored to meet their specific needs.
BTC in Cologne – world-class contacts
Thanks to 'service global sourcing’, BTC customers benefit from the international procurement options open to the German headquarters of the BASF distribution network. With a comprehensive network of international sources to choose from, BTC customers are provided with a flexible portfolio which offers quality products for every application.
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