The world’s largest chemical distributor Brenntag (Essen, Germany; www.brenntag.com) plans to buy the operating business of South African speciality chemicals distributor Chemgrit Group (Johannesburg; www.chemgritsa.co.za), according to the German company.

No details were given on the amount of the transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter.

With the acquisition, Brenntag is expanding its Specialties business unit, which also includes trading in standard and high-performance polymers as well as additives.

Chemgrit, founded in 1993, is an independent distributor of speciality chemicals with a focus on Personal Care, Food & Nutrition, and Material Science. Through its Chemgrit Plastics division, the company sells polyamides, PBT and pigments, among other materials. The volumes sold were not disclosed. Brenntag expects the purchase to increase its market presence in sub-Saharan Africa. 

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The German company had announced in June that its two business units, Specialties and Essentials, would in the future be able to “act more independently and autonomously” from the group’s headquarters.