Chemical, Energy Nov 5, 2013 12:24 PM
thyssenkrupp to strengthen electrolysis business through planned joint venture
Plant engineering and construction specialist thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions is further expanding its electrolysis business. thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions has reached an agreement with De Nora, an electrochemical technologies supplier based in Milan, to establish a joint venture. The companies intend to combine their engineering, procurement and construction activities for electrolysis plants under the name thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers. This will enable both partners to expand their technological platforms and move closer to customers through an increased global presence. The planned joint venture will achieve annual sales in the mid three-digit million euro range. The agreement is subject to approval by the supervisory bodies and the relevant antitrust authorities.
Dr. Joachim F. Panek, CEO of thyssenkrupp Uhde GmbH and member of the Executive Board of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions AG: “In joining forces we are broadening our technological development capabilities, strengthening our service business and increasing our geographical presence. We also intend to intensify our joint research into solutions for the future, such as electrolysis processes for the production of hydrogen, which can open up improved opportunities for energy storage.”
Paolo Dellachà, CEO of De Nora: “This planned step will take the proven cooperation between the two companies to a new level. In the future, we will be able to respond better and more quickly to customer requirements – irrespective of the technology they employ and the country in which our support is needed.”
Under an existing joint venture – UHDENORA – thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions and De Nora have already been cooperating for several years on licensing various electrolysis processes. The new company thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers will combine the electrolysis business of the two companies under the managerial control of thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, the majority shareholder, and will be consolidated in the Group. The company will be headquartered in Dortmund and represented worldwide with locations in Okayama, Tokyo, Shanghai, Milan and Houston.
A key area of the activities will be the continued development of the technological platforms in order to further improve plant operation and technical customer support. It is planned to continue all key existing electrolysis processes of the two companies, including for example the filter press-based BiTAC® process from Chlorine Engineers, all generations of the UHDENORA/Uhde single-element technology and the HCl ODC and NaCl ODC technologies.
A full range of specialist engineering and construction services and a shipbuilding history stretching back centuries are the strengths of the thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions business area. High-quality engineering is at the center of our success. Global project management skills, first-class system integration expertise, reliable procurement and supplier management, and a service offering meeting the highest standards form the basis for lasting customer satisfaction. 18,500 employees at over 70 locations form a global network with a technology portfolio that guarantees maximum productivity and cost-efficiency.