Intertek acquires Polychemlab from DSM
  by: OilOnline
  Tuesday, September 05, 2006

Intertek Group Plc has acquired from Chemelot BV, a subsidiary of DSM NV, the Polychemlab operations based in Geleen, Netherlands. Intertek Group plc is a leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of global and local industries. As part of this agreement, DSM has awarded a 5 year laboratory outsourcing services agreement to Caleb Brett, the Oil, Chemical & Agri Division of Intertek. Polychemlab will be among Intertek's largest laboratory operations in Europe with 175 technical staff transferring from DSM.

Polychemlab is the on-site laboratory for the Chemelot Chemical and Science Park, located between Germany and Belgium and provides a range of technical services to the chemical, polymer and other industries in Europe and further afield. Polychemlab expands Intertek services by introducing new expertise and capabilities in polymer and plastics testing, pilot/prototype polymer processing/manufacturing, on-line analysis, process control, and associated consultancy. Technical services include analytical chemistry for quality control and quality assurance, trouble shooting for process and materials failure analysis and pilot scale processing and manufacturing on a routine and ad hoc basis.

Polychemlab is the main supplier of laboratory support for DSM and Sabic Europe operations at the Chemelot facility, providing quick response services on a 24/7 basis. The laboratory also performs production performance tests on polymers, including pilot plants for blow moulding, cast film extrusion, extrusion coating and blown film. Over one hundred thousand analytical tests are conducted each month at the laboratory.

"Intertek as a new parent company for Polychemlab secures sustainability of the business and the people involved. Within Chemelot the Polychemlab provides a very crucial high quality service to the Chemelot based companies and future expansions. Now as an important part of the international Intertek Group, Polychemlab will be core-business with a very special focus on Europe," said Ger Wagemans, Director of Chemelot.