Chemical company BRB International announced last week the groundbreaking for a lubricant additive factory that it will operate Echt, Netherlands – an indication that the Petronas subsidiary is still growing.
In a March 30 press release, BRB said it contracted developer De Boer Vastgoed, which started construction on a production facility, warehouse and headquarters in Echt, approximately 12 kilometers south of the company’s existing headquarters and main European factory.
The existing plant, located in Ittervoort, produces lubricant additives as well as silicones used in a wide range of applications. Once the Echt project is completed, the plant there will produce lube additives and chemicals such as automotive coolants, while the Ittervoort plant will focus on silicones, in particular specialty emulsions.
BRB said the project will thus allow growth of both businesses.
The company did not disclose the schedule for the project, its cost nor capacities for either site. Officials did not respond to questions.
BRB has been a rapidly growing lubricant additive supplier. From 1999 to 2015 the company completed a number of expansion and new plant construction projects and acquisitions and entered numerous new markets. In 2016 a majority stake in the company was purchased by an investment fund. At the time BRB said the deal was intended to provide financing for further growth.
Petronas bought BRB in 2019.