DKSH Performance Materials is growing in the US with new collaborations and geographic expansion Dienstag, 12. Februar 2013 - 08:00

Zurich, Switzerland, February 12, 2013 – DKSH Business Unit Performance Materials, a leading specialty chemicals distributor announces considerable growth in the personal care industry in the US with important new partnerships and the expansion of its sales force. Clariant, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies based in Switzerland, and DKSH recently decided to expand their existing collaboration in Asia and join forces in the US, where DKSH provides Market Expansion Services for Clariant’s Business Unit Industrial & Consumer Specialties, which includes preservatives, surfactants, rheology modifiers and polymers. These products are used in a broad range of skin and hair care products and will be distributed by DKSH throughout the Midwestern US. In addition, DKSH and Bluestar Silicones, a global silicones producer with over 50 years of expertise and a comprehensive portfolio have entered into a North American alliance that includes distribution to selected key accounts and regional distribution arrangements. IBR, a producer of proprietary, natural active ingredients for cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical products, extended the existing relationship and DKSH was appointed to distribute its specialty patent protected technological actives to a selected key account in the US. With the enlargement of its product portfolio in North America, DKSH is now in an even stronger position to cater to the specific needs of the R&D departments of the American personal care industry. In order to further strengthen the US operation and focus on offering customers in the Midwest excellent value added services DKSH Performance Materials has invested in additional sales personnel. These new partnerships will further strengthen DKSH’s market position in North America and incrementally contribute to the Group’s overall earnings and profitability over time.

About DKSH DKSH is the leading Market Expansion Services provider with a focus on Asia. As the term "Market Expansion Services" suggests, DKSH helps other companies and brands to grow their business in new or existing markets. Publicly listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since March 2012, DKSH is a global company headquartered in Zurich. With 650 business locations in 35 countries – 630 of them in Asia – and 26,000 specialized staff, DKSH generated net sales of CHF 7.3 billion in 2011. DKSH Business Unit Performance Materials is a leading specialty chemicals distributor and provider of Market Expansion Services for performance materials, covering Europe, North America, and the whole of Asia. The Business Unit sources, develops, markets, and distributes a wide range of specialty chemicals and ingredients for pharmaceutical, personal care, food & beverage, as well as various industrial applications. In addition, it creates innovative and cutting-edge concepts and applications in 23 innovation centers located worldwide. With 80 business locations in 26 countries and around 1,100 specialized staff, Business Unit Performance Materials generated net sales of CHF 697 million in 2011. Visit us at: www.dksh.com/chemicaldistribution and www.youtube.com/user/DKSHGroup