Borregaard

Borregaard is a Norwegian company, established in 1889 in the southeastern town of Sarpsborg in Østfold county. Its main products were traditionally pulp and paper. The company later started producing chemicals based on timber as a raw material. After a takeover in 1986, Borregaard is today part of the chemical division of the Orkla Group.The company's core business is based on a Biorefinery that manufactures products based on the different components in wood. Important products are Specialty Cellulose, Lignin products (Lignosulphonates), Bio Ethanol, Yeast and Yeast Extracts and lignin based Vanillin. The company also produces Ethyl Vanillin, Diphenols and Fine Chemicals.

Borregaard ChemCell

Borregaard ChemCell is a producer of advanced specialty cellulose based on softwood, Spruce. Borregaards has Cellulose plants in Sarpsborg, Norway and Solothurn, Switzerland.

Customers are manufacturers of cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose ethers and esters, acetate cellulose and micro-crystalline cellulose. Borregaard ChemCell also produces cellulose for textile fibres, plastic products and a variety of paper qualities.

Borregaard's plant in Norway was erected in 1891, The Swiss plant, former Atisholz started production as early as 1884.Both plant utilizes a calcium sulphite based digesting proses which gives high viscosity cellulose with high purity.

Bio ethanol and basic chemicalsThe sugar compounds in wood is used to manufacture bio ethanol. Borregaard also produces caustic soda, hydrochloric acid and bleaching chemicals for captive use and for sale to external customers.

Borregaard LignoTech

Borregaard LignoTech is a supplier of lignin-based binding and dispersing agents (lignosulphonates). Lignin is the binding agent in wood and is extracted as lignosulphonates during the production of cellulose. The company has production units in Norway, Brazil, Germany, Finland, England, and USA, and joint venture units in South-Africa and Spain.

Borregaard's lignin products are used as dispersing agents in concrete, textile dyes, agrochemicals, batteries and ceramic products, or as binding agents in animal feed and briquettes. Lignin products improve the end-use properties and strengthen the structure of concrete. Lignin-based products are also used in connection with oil drilling.

Borregaard Synthesis

Borregaard Synthesis provides intermediates for non-ionic X-ray contrast media, and has dedicated plants for this market. The company also supplies advanced intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for several medicines.The production facilities is located at Borregaard production site in Sarpsborg, Norway.

The company also produces diphenols at its plant in Ravenna, Italy.

Borregaard Ingredients

Borregaard manufactures ingredients based on natural raw materials.

Omega-3 oilBorregaard supplies omega-3 specialty oils designed for use in functional food such as dairy products, juice, sausages and sweets.
Vanillin The company is the only supplier of vanillin produced from wood (lignin). Borregaard also supplies vanillin and ethyl vanillin products based on petrochemical raw materials.

Yeast productsBorregaard's plant in Switzerland produces protein-rich torula yeast, based on sugar compounds in wood, for use in food products and selected animal feed products. Borregaard also manufactures various yeast extracts that are used as taste enhancers with good nutritional properties in sauces, soups, baby food, pizza and meat products.

General Directors/ Managing Directors

* 1918-1933 : Hjalmar Wessel
* 1933-1960 : Arne Meidell
* 1960-1978 : Rein Henriksen
* 1978-1985 : Oddmund Sørhuus
* 1986-1999 : Egil Ullebø
* 1999- : Per Sørlie

ource of Legionella Epidemic

On June 8 2005 Borregaard confirmed that their plant in Sarpsborg, Norway was the source of the worst Legionella epidemic in Norwegian history. [ [http://www.dn.no/forsiden/naringsliv/article528457.ece?jgo=r2_l DN.no - Borregaard var Legionella-kilden ] ]

The epidemic spread to at least 56 people, of whom ten died. [ [http://www.fhi.no/eway/default.aspx?pid=233&trg=MainLeft_5669&MainLeft_5669=5544:67180::0:5667:1:::0:0 Bredt samarbeid ga løsningen på Legionellagåten i Sarpsborg - Folkehelseinstituttet ] ]

Information about the epidemic was posted to the Norwegian Wiki entry for Borregaard, and then edited away by Information Director of Borregaard, Endre Steinbru. The act was characterized as censorship by Professor of Computer Science at University of Oslo, Gisle Hannemyr. [ [http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/iriks/article2557420.ece Legionella-rammet: - Dette er helt utrolig - Nyheter - Innenriks - Aftenposten.no ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.borregaard.com Corporate website]
* [http://www.chemcell.com Borregaard ChemCell]
* [http://www.lignotech.com Borregaard LignoTech]
* [http://www.ingredients.no Borregaard Ingredients]
* [http://www.borregaardsynthesis.com Borregaard Synthesis]
* [http://www.orkla.com Orkla ASA]