Univar Inc.announced last Thursday that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Univar USA Inc., has acquired the assets of Copley, Ohio-based Chemical Associates, Inc. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Founded in 1981, Chemical Associates is a marketer, manufacturer, and distributor of oleochemicals, including tall oil fatty acids, oleic acids, stearic acids, fractionated acids, fatty alcohols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, coconut fatty acids, castor derivatives, methyl esters, calcium stearate, metallic stearates, and glycerine, many of which are based on renewable and sustainable resources.

"The acquisition of Chemical Associates will help increase the value Univar can bring in a number of our key markets such as personal care, food, cleaning and sanitization, lubricants, and coatings and adhesives," said Univar President and Chief Executive Officer Erik Fyrwald. "Oleochemicals are the building blocks for a wide variety of products, and complement our existing deep product and service offering in the U.S. In addition, we will gain enhanced access to global sources for various grades of oils/acids and the technical expertise to reformulate and create unique grades of these products to meet customers' prime product specifications."

Chemical Associates specializes in blending, mixing, and packaging formulated oleochemical products and serves customers from 14 locations throughout the U.S. and can supply packaged and bulk quantities. The acquired business will be combined with Univar USA's operations.

"For more than 30 years, we have worked hard to build our reputation in the marketplace as a highly capable, competent, and dependable supplier of oleochemical products," said Nick Berchtold, President and owner of Chemical Associates. "We welcome the opportunity to further build on this legacy as part of a leading global organization, and by leveraging the new opportunities that Univar will provide to our customers, suppliers and, most importantly, our employees."

Founded in 1924, Univar is a global distributor of specialty and basic chemicals from more than 8,000 producers worldwide. Univar operates more than 700 distribution facilities throughout North America, Western Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America, supported by a global network of sales and technical professionals.