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[January 2001]
Katalysatorenwerke Hüls is ceasing production
Katalysatorenwerke Hüls GmbH (KWH) of Marl, Germany, a joint venture of Degussa-Hüls AG (51 percent) and E.ON Kraftwerke GmbH (49 percent), will be shutting down its operations in Marl when it has completed current orders. The company produces catalysts to remove nitrogen from flue gases, mainly for power stations. Production capacity is around 5,300 m3 p.a.
The shutdown is due to a deterioration in business conditions and the long-term outlook for detnitrification catalysts as a result of overcapacity. There is no sign of a sustained improvement in the market. Reasons include the closure of power stations following the deregulation of the European electricity sector and weak trends on the US market. Negotiations with several prospective buyers were not successful.
KWH has 82 employees who will be taken on by Hüls Zeit Service (HZS), part of Infracor GmbH, Marl, a subsidiary of Degussa-Hüls AG. HZS provides staff for assignments at the Marl Chemicals Park and elsewhere.
Degussa-Hüls announced in May this year that KWH was not part of its core business. Degussa-Hüls is a specialty chemicals company and is planning to merge with SKW Trostberg AG to form a new Degussa AG. It has about 44,000 employees and reported sales of EUR 9.3 billion (excluding precious metals trading) in the first nine months of 2000.
Dr. Karin Aßmann
Tel.: ++ 49-69-2 18-22 30
Franziska Freudenreich
Tel.: ++ 49-69-2 18-32 85
ENDS