In the anniversary edition of our magazine, we gave companies in the maritime and logistics sector a chance to showcase themselves. In this contribution, ANNO Chemicals explains its role in the chemical sector.
After Houston Texas, Antwerp is the largest chemical cluster in the world. However, the many competing companies have one thing in common. All of them know ANNO Chemicals’ phone number, says Luc Bonami, one of the company’s founders.
What is the main business of ANNO Chemicals ?
“When we started in 2002, our main aim was to find solutions for products that no longer met traditional sales specifications,” says Bonami. “It was not just about chemical products, but various goods of totally different nature.”
“We decided relatively soon after the start-up to focus on liquid chemicals. Where producers often chose to destroy products, we found alternative customers or applications to avoid losing raw materials. Today, terms like sustainability or recycling would be used for this, but 20 years ago, recycling was definitely not ‘sexy’ and often these recycled products were seen as inferior.”
“For our ‘salvage’ business, discretion is capital and our trading partner counts on us not to misuse brand names. Far-reaching screening of our partners is therefore a top priority.”
Do you only do ‘salvage’ activity?
“No, absolutely not, we also focus on distribution in the chemical sector where we represent a number of important producers. Furthermore, we also provide advice within this sector to insurance companies, service providers and lawyers.”
“Also in the field of insurance, we work closely with P&I clubs, insurers of ships and their cargoes. We provide worldwide advice on, for example, valuing damaged cargoes or acquiring title for cargo.”
“Since 2015, we have participated in recycling company Antwerp Distillation Company, the largest glycol recovery plant in Europe in the heart of the Port of Antwerp. We also have subsidiaries in the Netherlands, France, Denmark, France and USA. Our customers are spread across 65 countries.”
What is the state of the chemical sector’s image?
“The chemical sector often struggles with a negative image. What many forget is that the chemical industry contributes to prosperity and progress. If we want to change the sector too fast, it already wants to move to regions of the world that are friendly to the sector. We risk moving towards a situation where there is no longer a local industry and where we see products brought in from locations, where environment is not an issue.”
