PRINCETON, NJ – Rockwood Holdings Inc. announced that its titanium dioxide (TiO₂) venture Sachtleben has reached an agreement to acquire the TiO₂ production assets and inventory of crenox GmbH, based in Krefeld, Germany, from the insolvency administrator. The acquisition is expected to close by mid-July, subject to completion of due diligence, government approvals and other conditions.

Sachtleben, which is a venture of Rockwood and Kemira Oyj, will acquire the crenox Krefeld-Uerdingen plant and all inventory of the facility. The acquisition will add over 100,000 metric tons of TiO₂ production, increasing capacity to approximately 340,000 metric tons, further enhancing Sachtleben’s position as a leading global supplier of high-quality TiO₂ pigments.

2, used at both existing Sachtleben facilities (Duisburg, Germany, and Pori, Finland) as well as the crenox plant. The sulfate process provides flexibility to manufacture both anatase and rutile crystal forms of TiO₂ targeted to niche market applications such as synthetic fiber production and cosmetics, as well as for higher-volume applications in the coatings and plastic markets.

crenox GmbH has been under administration since 2009, a result of the creditor protection proceedings affecting its former parent company TRONOX Inc. The crenox staff of around 550 will join Sachtleben as part of the transfer.