Presenting the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors

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Jul 15, 2013, 04:00 ET

NEW YORK and LONDON, July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

ICIS Chemical Business magazine has unveiled its annual ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors listing ranked by 2012 sales.

Topping the charts once again is Germany-based Brenntag, with $12.8bn in sales, followed by US-based Univar with $10.3bn in revenues. Germany-based Helm takes the third spot at around $7bn in sales with US-based Nexeo Solutions in fourth with sales of $4.1bn.

Currency conversions to US dollars for the ranking were based on year-end 2012 exchange rates.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors ranking is available for download as a PDF at http://www.icis.com/pages/icis-top-100-chemical-distributors.

"Each year we strive to compile the most comprehensive list of global chemical distributors - a critical link in the supply chain for buyers and sellers of chemicals. This year, we received a record number of entries," said Joseph Chang, global editor of ICIS Chemical Business.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors is a global ranking based on total sales. Separately, it also lists leaders in key geographies such as North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Middle East & Africa based on sales in those regions.

The listing also goes beyond the Top 100 companies by sales. This year we provide details on 213 chemical distributors around the world.

A new feature this year includes data on sales from trading activities as opposed to traditional distribution.

We define full-line or traditional distribution as taking possession/title of the product from a supplier into inventory, typically storing it in a warehouse, and then transporting it to customers.

In contrast, trading involves acting as an agent for the supplier, negotiating sales to customers and taking a commission on sales - what is known as agency or indent sales.

"Whether involved in traditional distribution, trading, or a combination of both, the firms in the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors provide an incredibly diverse set of products and services available globally and across certain regions," said Chang.

"We owe special thanks to the major chemical distributor associations that made this worldwide listing possible - the US-based National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) http://www.nacd.com, the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC) http://www.fecc.org, Associquim (Brazilian Association of Chemical and Petrochemical Distributors) http://www.associquim.org.br, and the Canadian Association of Chemical Distributors (CACD) http://www.cacd.ca," Chang added.

"Chemical distributors have continued to grow despite challenging macroeconomic conditions in many regions. This shows just how vibrant and innovative this sector has been in dealing with the downturn," said Will Beacham, deputy editor of ICIS Chemical Business.

ICIS Chemical Business

ICIS Chemical Business is the leading global weekly magazine focusing on bulk commodity chemical and polymer markets. Our global team of reporters provides readers with a trusted executive summary of the key developments in the chemical markets. This includes price movements, and the factors impacting these trends in the short and long term. Get a complete perspective of the chemical markets - all in one magazine. Find out more at http://www.icis.com/about/icis-chemical-business-magazine

ICIS

ICIS is the world's largest petrochemical market information provider and has fast-growing energy and fertilizer divisions. Our aim is to give companies a competitive advantage. We deliver trusted pricing data, high-value news, analysis and independent consulting, enabling our customers to make better-informed trading and planning decisions. Our global team covers over 120 commodities across markets in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. To find out more, visit http://www.icis.com.

Reed Business Information

ICIS is part of Reed Business Information, http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk/, (RBI), a division of Reed Business and a member of Reed Elsevier plc (525), (UK:REL) (US:RUK) (NL:45443) the world's leading publisher and information provider. For a full listing of publications, visit http://www.reedbusiness.co.uk.

For editorial inquiries, contact:
Joseph Chang
Global Editor
ICIS Chemical Business
T: +1-212-791-4224
[email protected]

Will Beacham
Deputy Editor, London Bureau Chief
ICIS Chemical Business
T: +44-20-8652-8683
[email protected]

For commercial inquiries, contact:
John Hill
Global Sales Manager - Content Marketing and Advertising
ICIS Chemical Business
T: +44-20-8652-3893
[email protected]