Baerlocher positions itself for the future

Munich, 12.11. 2004 10:33

Commitment to CaZn, innovative products, new management structure and new corporate design

Baerlocher positions itself for the future

The Baerlocher group of companies is one of the world’s leading additive suppliers, in
particular to the PVC industry, drawing on its experience from more than 175 years of
corporate history. While the competitive landscape is undergoing significant changes
as a result of concentration, Baerlocher is positioning itself for continued success as
an independent enterprise within a business environment that is becoming increasingly
challenging. Key elements of its strategy are a clear commitment to CaZn stabilizers for
PVC as an alternative to Pb stabilizers and the introduction of innovative products that
increase productivity and improve quality. The company is backing up these activities
with a fresh corporate design and with a new management structure. The K’2004 trade
fair offers an ideal opportunity to present this updated focus to the public.

oday’s market for plastic additives is characterized by rising
raw material prices, the implementation of formulation changes necessary to meet environmental
targets demanded by the political community and changes in the competitive landscape.
As one of the leading market players, Baerlocher is responding to these changes with a
number of strategic decisions geared towards continuing its success story.
Clear commitment to CaZn stabilizers
Baerlocher supplies a wide range of plastic additives. Baerlocher offers stabilizers and other
additives for nearly all applications and production processes in the PVC sector in particular.
The range of products and systems is being expanded constantly to take account of the enhanced
demands placed on plastics technology.
Baerlocher made an early start on the development of CaZn stabilizers in order to allow the
industry to move away from lead stabilizers, as demanded by politicians. Dr Michael Rosenthal,
majority shareholder and Managing Director of Baerlocher GmbH: “We developed our
own production processes for CaZn stabilizers very soon, using our broad expertise from other
stabilizer technology to supply products fulfilling industry needs. With our in-depth experience
in PVC additives, we are able to offer our customers more than simply products: we make our
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extensive know-how available to assist the industry in the change-over to CaZn-based formulations.”
Dr Rosenthal is convinced that the often mentioned disadvantages of CaZn stabilizers – for
example product forms or cost – will be offset in future. One relevant factor is the recent sharp
increase in the price of lead. Dr Rosenthal: “We believe that CaZn stabilizers are currently the
best alternative to Pb stabilizers both from a commercial and technical perspective.”
Baerlocher presents new dust-free product forms for solid CaZn stabilizers
The limited number of product forms available has often been cited as an obstacle to changing
over to CaZn stabilizers. Baerlocher has responded to this problem using its comprehensive
technical experience to design new product forms for CaZn systems. CaZn systems are more
critical with regard to their chemical behavior than systems based on Pb –substantial resources
therefore needed to be invested in research and development. Today, Baerlocher is
proud to introduce CaZn stabilizers in dust-free TX (pastilles) and SMS (flakes) product forms.
New liquid stabilizers for products in the everyday environment
The Baerostab product line has been expanded to include liquid CaZn stabilizer systems suitable
for use in PVC products employed in the everyday environment. Typical applications include
floor coverings and wallpaper in conformity with VOC requirements.
With these new products, Baerlocher is making a significant contribution to the development of
sustainable plastic end-products. The core of Baerlocher’s product philosophy is to offer tailormade
formulations and product forms that meet individual customer needs. This approach is
being implemented systematically in the area of CaZn additives too.
Also new: Ceasit FI for optimum film and fiber extrusion
Manufacturers of polymer fibers are confronted with the requirement for finer fibers with higher
strength. Filtration of the polymer melt plays a key role in the manufacturing of such fibers. A
major requirement is reduction of pressure build-up on the filter sieve during extrusion.
Baerlocher has recently added “Ceasit FI” to its product range. This is a special, ultra-pure
calcium stearate that has a correspondingly low filtration index (FI). Ceasit FI traps acid radicals
while simultaneously acting as a lubricant. It is specially designed for the extrusion of
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polyolefin fibers and films where very fine-mesh extruder sieves are used. When Ceasit FI is
processed, the extruder sieve has to be changed less frequently, thus significantly reducing
operating costs.
New product range: lubricants for wood plastic composites
Baerlocher is introducing a new line of lubricants specially designed for wood plastics composites
(WPC). These products are based on zinc and calcium stearates as well as lubricants
from its Baerolub range. For PVC-based WPC, Baerlocher offers one-packs under the brand
name Baeropan, comprising both stabilizers and lubricants.
WPC are made of new or recycled plastics and contain a natural filler material such as wood
flour or flax fibers. It is essential to optimize the rheology in order to guarantee a cost-effective
production process and ensure high quality standards.
The WPC lubricants from Baerlocher can be fine-tuned to the plastic granulate used, the wood
filler ratio and the performance requirements. They contribute to a homogeneous distribution
of the various components and reduce edge tearing and melt fractures. Waste reduction and
lower energy consumption facilitate higher productivity.
With these new products Baerlocher is developing a strong position in this fast growing market.
WPC products are already well established in the USA and are becoming increasingly
popular in Europe too.
A new management structure for the future
Baerlocher is also preparing for the future by implementing a new management structure. Dr
Michael Rosenthal, Managing Director and main shareholder, has built up and managed the
company over the past 25 years. At the end of October, Dr Rosenthal is retiring from operations
to become Chairman of the Advisory Board. He will continue to represent the company in
industry associations.
Effective November 1, 2004, Dr Felix Meyer is taking over operational management of the
Baerlocher group of companies as Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr Meyer comes from Ciba
Specialty Chemicals where he has held various positions in marketing, product and materials
management for plastic additives over the past 23 years. From 1996 onwards, Dr Meyer was
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responsible for Ciba’s global plastic additives business and in 2001 he was appointed to the
Executive Committee of Ciba Specialty Chemicals.
Dr Meyer commented on his move to Baerlocher as follows: “I am pleased to be in a position
to contribute to the future development of Baerlocher with the experience I have gathered in
diverse functions within a major chemical group and with the contacts I have built up over
many years in the plastics industry.”
Michael Neutard, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Managing Director of Baerlocher
GmbH, is responsible for Finance, Human Resources and Information Technology. Further
members of the executive management are Hans Jürgen Sander, Head Business Unit Solid
PVC Additives, Rainer Grasmück, Head Business Unit Liquid PVC Additives, Andreas Holzner,
Head Business Unit Special Additives and Valentin Ausserbauer, Head Production and Technology.
Updated corporate design reflects tradition and modernity
To better reflect Baerlocher’s character and positioning, the corporate design has been updated
and modernized: the company name in an attractive and dynamic typeface has been
added to the logo. The modern design is also expressed in the choice of colors and its visual
language.
Dr Michael Rosenthal commented: “The new corporate design reflects the process of change
currently in progress at Baerlocher: an evolution rather than a revolution, giving due consideration
to the needs of our customers and our employees. We are maintaining our traditional
values such as strong customer orientation, service and quality. This continuity is symbolized
by the bear which is retained as an element of the logo. At the same time, we are deploying all
our considerable innovative skills to help our customers succeed in their businesses.”
About Baerlocher
The Baerlocher group of companies is a leading provider of additives for the plastics industry, in particular for
PVC. Its offering includes a very broad range of stabilizers based on lead, CaZn, CaOrg, BaZn and Sn, as well as
other additives for all PVC applications.
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Baerlocher supplies what are known as “one-packs” under the brand name Baeropan. These are customized additive
formulations meeting the needs of a special application, developed together with the customer using Baerlocher
know-how .
Other Baerlocher products established in the marketplace are Baerostab (diverse stabilizer systems), Baeropol
(additive systems for polyolefins), Baerodur (impact modifiers), Baerorapid (processing aids), Baerolub (lubricants),
Baerocid (fatty acids), as well as Ceasit and Zincum (metal stearates).
Characteristics of Baerlocher are strong customer and employee orientation, as well as innovation and sustainability.
The additive one-pack concept and several novel product forms developed by Baerlocher have become
state-of-the-art in the industry. Continued leadership in innovation is demonstrated by Baerlocher’s support to the
PVC industry in the transition from Pb to CaZn stabilizers as well as by the innovative lubricant systems for wood
plastic composities.
Baerlocher is committed to the principles of responsible care: sustainable development, safe and environmentally
friendly production processes as well as protection of people and the environment are corporate goals . It maintains
an ISO 9001 certified quality management system and its environmental management system complies with
ISO 14001. The company also provides proactive support for voluntary industry commitments such as Vinyl 2010
and the replacement of Pb stabilizers.
The Baerlocher group of companies has 13 production sites around the world, with its headquarters in Munich-
Unterschleissheim. Research and development are carried out in Germany (Munich-Unterschleissheim), France
(Marseilles), Italy (Lodi), the United States (Dover, Ohio) and India (Bombay). With a sales network covering more
than 40 countries, the Baerlocher group of companies has a total of about 800 employees and generated worldwide
revenues of about EUR 350 million in 2003.
Additionally to its core business, Baerlocher is involved in a variety of activities, both in industry and in society. It
plays an active role in trade associations and runs a Plastic Additives Museum at the production site in Lingen,
Germany. The company also provides opportunities for apprenticeships in various business areas .
For more information please visit www.baerlocher.com.

Kontaktinformationen:
Stefan Horst
gateone – connecting companies
Bavariafilmplatz 4
D-82031 Grünwald
phone: 0049-89-550 568-15
mobile: 0049-151-12 72 63 62
fax: 0049-89-550 568-50
email: sh@gateone.biz

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