In the wake of the mega merger of TotalFina and Elf Aquitaine to form TotalFinaElf, the chemical divisions of the two companies have also been united and restructured – as is manifested by the new name of Atofina given to the former Elf Atochem. François Cornelis is taking over as chairman of the board from Jacques Puechal who performed this function for 17 years at Elf Atochem.

With pro forma consolidated sales of EUR 17.4bn Atofina ranks as the fifth largest chemical company worldwide. The new company claims to be the leading European producer of ethylene and propylene, as well as the fourth largest producer of PE and the third largest PS producer in Europe. In global terms, Atofina rates itself number two for PP and number four for PS. This will not necessarily remain the case, as a new two-line facility for PS is being constructed at Carling in France with an annual capacity of 120,000 t. The first line is scheduled to come on stream midway through 2001. Polystyrene capacity at Prat de Lobregat in Spain is similarly being increased by 20,000 t/y. Plans for a PS facility in Gdansk, Poland, have been shelved.

Atofina also claims to rank amongst the global leaders for intermediate products (thio- and fluorine chemistry, acrylates, peroxides) and engineering plastics, such as PA, PVDF and PMMA. The new Francophone chemicals giant additionally holds interests in rubber processing (Hutchinson), paints and coatings (SigmaKalon), resins and adhesives (Cray Valley, Bostik, AtoFindley) and electroplating/electroforming (Atotech).