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AkzoNobel divests chlorine dioxide technology

Purate, the water treatment business of AkzoNobel Pulp and Performance Chemicals (formerly Eka Chemicals) will be sold to US-based Ecolab Inc. Ecolab will begin operating the business once the transaction is complete, likely in early June, 2013, subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Purate is a technology for small-scale production of chlorine dioxide. Among other uses, Purate is sold to the paper industry and is used for bleaching of pulp.

Ecolab is a global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services. The Purate technology and service will become an offering of Nalco, an Ecolab company, and its Water and Process Services (WPS) division.  

The divestment is in line with AkzoNobel Pulp and Performance Chemicals’ strategy launched in early 2012. The company will continue to focus on global leadership positions in pulp bleaching, paper chemicals, colloidal silica and expandable microspheres.