Specialty Chemicals generated 36% of the Chemical branch's 2000 sales, through five companies with a worldwide organization operating in a broad range of consumer- and innovation-driven markets. The growth potential of this segment is underpinned by marketing excellence and the development of technological and service partnerships with our customers
Hutchinson, which produces and markets rubber products for the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as consumer markets, posted sales of 2.6 billion euros, representing an 18% increase over 1999. The company brought on stream a new production unit in Amilly, France and in mid-2000 inaugurated a new high-tech Research Center in Montargis, also in France, which notably boasts computer-aided design and acoustic modeling equipment.
In addition, Hutchinson completed two acquisitions. The first concerned the anti-vibration sector for industrial and aerospace applications, where Barry Controls, with 1999 sales of $120 million, has made Hutchinson to become a leader in the American and in the world markets. The second was the acquisition of Söke, which consolidated Hutchinson's market share in the consumer markets of Central Europe.
Cray Valley and Sartomer, producers of resins for inks, paints, adhesives and coatings, have benefited from a favorable economic climate, sustained by American demand and the recovery in Europe. Their 2000 sales reached 1.6 billion euros, up 29% over the previous year.
The launch of a new Gel Coats unit at the Miranda de Ebro plant in Spain in the second half of 2000 has consolidated Cray Valley's world-leading position in this sector.
Acquisitions continued, with the purchase of Ricon's polybutadiene resins operations in the United States and the buyout of Borden's unsaturated polyester activities in Europe. In addition, Cray Valley dissolved Telenor, its joint venture with BF Goodrich in the telene resins sector for the composite board market.
BostikFindley, created by the merger of the adhesives activities of Totalfina (Bostik) and Elf (Ato Findley), reported total sales of 1.1 billion euros in 2000, up by 10% over the previous year. BostikFindley ranks second worldwide, with leading positions in DIY, non-wovens and industrial adhesives. During the year, BostikFindley acquired ASA's powder adhesives activities in Australia, and bought out Laral Leman, a company producing original fast bonding and fixing systems.
Paints, with sales of 1.6 billion euros in 2000, achieved a 3% increase over 1999.
The integration of Polifarb's activities in Poland and Hungary was completed, and the new organization resulting from the merger of Sigma and Kalon was implemented.
In electroplating, Atotech pursued organic in a buoyant climate, particularly in Asia. The new Singapore site was opened, and a decision was made to further expand the Koda units in Japan, to be followed a few months later by the start-up of a new production facility in Taiwan. In the United States, Atotech acquired the assets of the American company McGean Rohco in the electroplating and anti-corrosion sector. This transaction made the Company the U.S. market leader and reinforced its world positions.
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RESPONSIBLE CARE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
In Chemicals, product quality and performance is an ongoing concern, and our endorsement of the Responsible Care program confirms our commitment in this regard. The life cycle analysis concept is now often used as a tool to identify the most environmentally sound solutions.
The toxicological and ecotoxicological properties of products are studied systematically before products are launched. Active cooperation with our customers leads to the development of new formulations which, in turn, help them achieve technical progress while reducing emissions and energy consumption.
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