Elf Atochem has signed and closed on the purchase of E.I. du Pont de Nemours' 70,000 tpa hydrogen peroxide plant in Memphis (Tennessee).

The deal has been approved by the US federal authorities.

The acquisition of a plant in the South-Eastern United States will enable Elf Atochem to extend its industrial, logistic and commercial activities into a geographical area with a high concentration of customers operating in a wide variety of fields.

This operation, in the wake of the acquisition of Air Liquide's hydrogen peroxide activity at the beginning of the year, will make Elf Atochem the world's third largest hydrogen peroxide producer.

Elf Atochem is now consolidating its strategy as a major world player in the area of hydrogen peroxide and its main outlets.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in many traditional applications such as textile bleaching and detergents and as a chemical intermediate, as well as in areas where its environmental benefits promote new developments such as paper bleaching, drinking and industrial waste water treatment, the biological decontamination of soils, etc.

Hydrogen peroxide is enjoying steady growth in North America and in Europe, and has strong growth potential in Asia.

Elf Atochem has a highly developed upstream integration for its hydrogen peroxide which it uses to produce hydrazine hydrate, organic peroxides, sodium perborate, epoxy soya oil, sodium chlorite, DEHA, etc.

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Donatienne van Nes Selz Tel: (33 1) 49 00 70 29- Fax: (33 1) 49 00 80 50
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