Hercules Acquires Quaker's US Paper Chemical Business

Hercules Inc. (Wilmington, DE) has acquired the Pulp and Paper Division of Quaker Chemical Corp. (Conshohocken, PA). The unit, which makes specialty chemicals for tissue papermaking and pulping, has world revenues of approximately $8 million. Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Quaker will retain its Mexican pulp and paper business.

The acquisition brings Hercules several key technologies, including softeners, debonders, and lotions used to manufacture tissues and towels, as well as specialized products for the pulping industry. "The Quaker acquisition broadens our product offering and our customer base, and adds complementary applications know-how," says Hercules Pulp and Paper Div. global business director Marco Cenisio.

It also underscores the commitment of Hercules to broaden its product offering in order to remain a prime global supplier of the pulp and paper industry.

The business accounted for only a small percentage of Quaker's overall sales. "We were in a position to take action on favorable economic terms," says company chairman/CEO Ronald J. Naples. "Most important, this divestiture is consistent with our strategy to focus on our global core steel and metalworking-related businesses."

By Alan S. Brown