Perstorp’s European runway de-icer business, which includes chemical solutions for the removal of ice and snow from runways and airport infrastructure, has been acquired by Addcon GmbH, the German subsidiary of Esseco Industrial, strengthening the Group’s presence in the European airport de-icing market. The transaction represents a strategic step in the European de-icing sector and enables Addcon to consolidate and expand its presence across major airports in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, while further strengthening its position in Eastern Europe and the Baltic markets.
Addcon is part of Esseco Industrial, the industrial holding company of Esseco Group, a fourth-generation Italian company with over a century of history. Operating in 10 countries with 8 production sites – including the Bitterfeld plant in Germany – Esseco Industrial employs approximately 725 people and serves 2,500 customers, providing products and services for the organic and inorganic chemical industries, with a focus on sulfur derivatives and chlor-alkali chemistry.
Against a backdrop of growing demand for high-performance, environmentally sustainable solutions, Addcon stands out for its portfolio of biodegradable, non-toxic products that are safe for people, animals and the environment, and have been used for years by airports and local authorities across Europe.
From an industrial perspective, the integration of the acquired business will lead to a significant increase in volumes handled, both for liquid and solid de-icers during the winter season. It will also contribute to strengthening upstream integration of raw materials, with a resulting increase in potassium hydroxide (KOH) consumption, while optimizing the logistics chain and improving efficiency and responsiveness to the needs of airport customers.
The transaction is part of Esseco Industrial’s broader growth strategy in the chemical sector, pursued despite a complex and particularly challenging international environment. In this context, it also follows the recent announcement of an agreement for the acquisition of the Rosignano site, currently subject to approval by the competent authorities.
