Annual Report 2008 English [PDF, 2.69 MB] - Tessenderlo Group

Tessenderlo Group
the company, the electrolysis will not be
discontinued in Pieve. Sufficient sales
have materialised in the meantime for
the electrolysis products, in line with the
available capacity.
However, the production of
chlorobenzenes will be discontinued as
announced but this will be later than
initially planned. An extra investment for
the production of synthetic hydrochloric
acid will be implemented first, as decided
in 2008. The production of chlorobenzene
can then be discontinued at the end of
2009 or the beginning of 2010.
Improvement of cost
structure should not
influence productivity
and capacity
Outlook for 2009
Competition from China and India is
expected to increase in all areas, from basic
chemicals to the advanced pharmaceutical
intermediates. In view of the economic
situation and the fluctuating raw material
prices, it is impossible to make any
predictions for the future.
However, next year we shall continue to
work towards improving the cost structure
but without affecting productivity or
production capacity.
The products of the Organic Chlorine
Derivates business unit have evolved to
become commodity products and are now
more closely related to the products, the
activities and the strategy of the Chemicals
business group. As such, they will be part
of the latter as from 1 January 2009.
Strategy for the Fine
Chemicals business
unit
• Intermediates and active
ingredients for the
pharmaceutical industry
Strengthen the position as
a supplier of intermediates
and active ingredients for the
pharmaceutical industry.
• Organic chlorine derivatives
Reduce the cost structure
throughout the entire value
chain and maximise added
value in order to increase
profitability.
Consolidate the activities and
integrate them in the Chemicals
business group as from 2009.
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