Evonik has sold its US betaines business to speciality chemicals company Kensing for an undisclosed sum.
The divestment includes part of the German firm's chemicals manufacturing site at Hopewell, Virginia.
The remaining part of the Hopewell facility, which produces additives for polyurethane foam manufacture, agricultural and industrial applications, together with approximately 100 employees, will continue to be an important part of Evonik’s North America region.
Evonik will continue its betaine businesses in Europe, Asia and Latin America.
“Betaines are an attractive and profitable business, but they are no longer core to care solutions’ strategy, which is driven by high value-added system solutions,” said Yann d'Hervé, head of Evonik’s care solutions business line.
“We are convinced, with the new ownership under Kensing, the business will be in good hands for the North plant employees of Evonik,” he added.
Betaines are amphoteric surfactants, which are used as ingredients in the formulation of shampoos, hair conditioners and skincare products for the personal care industry and in a wide range of other consumer applications.
"The amphoteric surfactants and specialty esters manufacturing operations that Kensing will acquire as a result of this transaction are complementary to our existing product portfolio derived from plant-based feedstocks," said Kensing CEO Serge Rogasik.
"Building on our leadership position in high-purity anionic surfactants, by acquiring the business, we are expanding Kensing's presence in personal care and home care ingredients to provide our customers with an expanded range of low-detergency product and service offerings," he added.
Evonik said this portfolio adjustment of its care solutions business line will enable further investments and acquisitions of sustainable specialties, especially within the innovation growth field cosmetic solutions.
