Cognis
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Most or all of the nutritionals, ingredients and chemicals company could be on the selling block, parent company Henkel Group announces Nov. 13. Dusseldorf, Germany-based Henkel split its chemical products business off to form Cognis earlier this year intending to seek a minority partner, but now says it has been unable to secure an advantageous deal (1"The Tan Sheet" Feb. 14, In Brief). Henkel wants to divert resources from Cognis - which accounts for 23% of the firm's worldwide business - to focus on consumer products. The firm stresses any moves made involving Cognis are unrelated to its desire to acquire the Clairol hair care franchise from Bristol-Myers Squibb (2"The Tan Sheet" Oct. 2, p. 5)