Ems-Chemie

Ems-Chemie is a Swiss chemical group headquartered in Domat/Ems in the canton of Graubünden. Its consolidated activities are organized under Ems-Chemie Holding AG, the listed holding company. The group’s principal businesses are high-performance polymers and specialty chemicals, with products supplied mainly to automotive, electronics, consumer goods, textile, packaging, industrial and safety-system manufacturers. The company originated in 1936, when Werner Oswald established Holzverzuckerungs AG, commonly abbreviated as Hovag, to manufacture products from wood, including wood-based ethyl alcohol intended as a motor-fuel additive. During the Second World War, shortages of conventional raw materials and fuel made this activity strategically important in Switzerland. Production was supported by federal arrangements, although the fuel business was later discontinued after a 1956 referendum rejected continued subsidies. Hovag subsequently broadened into chemicals and materials, producing ammonia, urea and, during the 1950s, caprolactam. Caprolactam enabled the development of polyamide plastics and synthetic fibers marketed under the Grilon name. Research, patents and industrial process engineering became important capabilities. Inventa AG, established in 1947, developed and commercialized chemical and plastics processes and later built numerous plants for caprolactam, plastics and synthetic fibers. The group also developed energy and ignition-related activities through Patvag. In 1960 Hovag was renamed Emser Werke AG, while Chemie Holding Ems AG was established in 1962 and subsequently became the corporate platform for the group. Christoph Blocher joined the company’s legal department in 1969 and became chairman and delegate of the board in 1972. Under his leadership, the group consolidated its businesses, adopted the Ems Chemie name in 1981 and increasingly focused on engineering plastics and other higher-value materials. In 1983 Blocher acquired the Oswald family’s controlling stake after being asked to find a buyer. The group later reorganized around polymer materials, fine chemicals and engineering activities. By the 2000s, key operating businesses included Ems Grivory (engineering thermoplastics), Ems Griltec (fibers and adhesives), Ems Primid (thermoset materials), Ems Eftec (automotive bonding and body-treatment products) and Ems Patvag (automotive safety-system igniters). A major ownership and management transition occurred in 2003–2004. After Christoph Blocher was elected to the Swiss Federal Council, he relinquished his roles and transferred his controlling stake to his four children. Magdalena Martullo-Blocher became group manager and board delegate on 1 January 2004. Ems Dottikon was separated as an independent company in 2005, while the remaining family ownership was reorganized through Emesta Holding AG. Ems-Chemie operates internationally, with production and commercial activities in several countries. Its high-performance polymers are supplied as granules for molded parts used in vehicles, mobile phones, displays, LEDs, packaging, baby bottles, eyewear and other applications. Its specialty-chemical activities include hot-melt adhesives, technical fibers, powder coatings and pyrotechnic igniters for airbag and seat-belt systems. The group also invests in manufacturing efficiency and energy infrastructure, including the Tegra wood-chip power plant at Domat/Ems. The company remains an active, family-influenced, publicly traded Swiss chemical group.

Ems-Chemie traces its history to Holzverzuckerungs AG, founded by Werner Oswald in Zurich in 1936. The company established production in Domat and initially pursued wood-based ethyl alcohol for use as a fuel additive. Wartime fuel shortages led Switzerland to support the business through production and supply arrangements. By the end of the Second World War, the company was reported to cover a significant share of Swiss fuel requirements. It also produced feed yeast, although shortages limited deliveries. The company diversified after the war. Patvag AG was established as a sister company for hydropower and energy-related activities, while Inventa AG, founded in 1947, developed patents and industrial processes. Hovag began ammonia production in 1948 and urea synthesis in 1949. During the 1950s it entered caprolactam, polyamide plastics and synthetic fibers. Fibron S.A. produced polyamide fibers under the Grilon brand, and the group established an early foreign sales company in the United Kingdom. Inventa later built chemical and polymer plants in several countries. The fuel-additive business ended after Swiss voters rejected further state subsidies in 1956. Hovag became Emser Werke AG in 1960. Chemie Holding Ems AG was formed in 1962 and became publicly traded later that year. The 1960s brought further product diversification and the creation of independent subsidiaries, including EMS Patvag for ignition systems in 1963. Christoph Blocher joined the legal department in 1969, became chairman and board delegate in 1972, and helped bring the various Ems companies under a common holding structure in 1978. Following Werner Oswald’s death in 1979, Blocher continued to lead the business. In 1981 the company adopted the Ems Chemie Holding AG and Ems Chemie AG names and concentrated increasingly on engineering plastics. In 1983 Blocher acquired the Oswald family’s shareholding after being asked to find a purchaser. During the following decade the group expanded through acquisitions and reorganizations. In 1988 it identified polymeric materials, fine chemicals and engineering as its main areas. New materials included a highly rigid polyamide introduced in 1991. Automotive adhesives and related products developed through Ems Togo and a 1997 joint venture with H.B. Fuller Automotive, which operated under the Eftec name. A later partnership with Czech company D-Plast supported expansion in Central and Eastern Europe. Around 2000, the group’s principal operating structure included Ems Grivory, Ems Griltec, Ems Primid and Ems Services. Magdalena Martullo-Blocher joined the company in 2001. In 2003 the family decided to retain a public-company structure and introduced unit-name shares. Christoph Blocher’s election to the Swiss Federal Council required him to leave his corporate roles. On 30 December 2003 he transferred his majority stake to his four children, and on 1 January 2004 Magdalena Martullo-Blocher assumed group management as vice-president and board delegate. Ems Grivory was subsequently organized into European, American and Asian areas. Ems Dottikon was separated in 2005. The ownership interests of the Blocher siblings were reorganized through Emesta Holding AG, which became the principal family holding vehicle. In 2006 the Tegra biomass power plant entered service at Domat/Ems. In 2007 Ems Eftec acquired the remaining interests of its former H.B. Fuller joint venture. The group continued launching polymer and specialty-chemical products, opening international production sites and developing technical materials for automotive, electronics, packaging, textiles and safety systems. Ems received supplier recognition from General Motors and Bosch during the early 2010s, and it marked its 75th anniversary in 2011. The business remains centered on high-performance polymers and specialty chemicals, with Domat/Ems as its main industrial location and a global network of subsidiaries and production facilities.

• 2020

  National Education Award

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Ems received the National Education Award associated with the Hans Huber Foundation and FH Switzerland Foundation.

• 2011

  75th anniversary

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Ems marked 75 years of company history and commissioned a high-bay warehouse at Domat/Ems.

• 2006

  Tegra biomass plant starts

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  A wood-chip power plant began operating at Domat/Ems, reducing the site’s reported carbon dioxide emissions.

• 2004

  Martullo-Blocher assumes group management

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Magdalena Martullo-Blocher became group manager and delegate of the board after Christoph Blocher entered the Swiss Federal Council.

• 1997

  Eftec joint venture begins

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Ems Togo entered a joint venture with H.B. Fuller Automotive USA under the Eftec name.

• 1981

  Ems Chemie name adopted

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  The group adopted the Ems Chemie Holding AG and Ems Chemie AG names and focused more strongly on engineering plastics.

• 1972

  Christoph Blocher becomes chairman

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Christoph Blocher was elected chairman and board delegate.

• 1962

  Chemie Holding Ems is formed and listed

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Chemie Holding Ems AG was established and entered public trading in Zurich.

• 1960

  Hovag becomes Emser Werke

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  The original company changed its name to Emser Werke AG.

• 1950

  Polyamide materials emerge

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Hovag entered caprolactam production, supporting the development of polyamide plastics and Grilon synthetic fibers.

• 1947

  Inventa is established

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Inventa AG was founded for research, patent utilization and later chemical process and plant engineering.

• 1936

  Hovag is founded

  [1]Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org

  Werner Oswald founded Holzverzuckerungs AG, later known as Hovag, to develop wood-based chemical and fuel products.

A technology-focused Swiss supplier of high-performance polymers and specialty chemicals for demanding industrial applications, with particular strength in automotive, electronics, consumer products and technical materials.

• High-performance polymers

  Ems-Grivory

  Ems-Grivory develops and supplies engineering thermoplastics and other high-performance polymer compounds, generally delivered as granules for processing by customers. Applications include automotive components, mobile-phone and electronic parts, display and LED components, packaging, baby bottles, eyewear and sanitary products. The portfolio is positioned around lightweighting, stiffness, chemical resistance, thermal performance and design flexibility.

• Automotive adhesives and body materials · 1997

  Ems-Eftec

  Ems-Eftec supplies materials and equipment for vehicle body manufacturing and repair. Its activities include structural and panel bonding, seam sealing, vibration damping and plastisol-based body protection. The business moved toward direct delivery after selling its aftermarket segment in 2010 and serves automotive manufacturers and related industrial customers.

• Technical fibers, adhesives and coatings

  Ems-Griltec

  Ems-Griltec produces specialty fibers, hot-melt adhesives, separating and adhesive yarns, fibers for paper-machine felts and powder coatings. These materials are used in textiles, apparel, automotive electronics, packaging, composites, industrial equipment, appliances, radiators and coated glass or aluminum components.

• Automotive safety igniters · 1963

  Ems-Patvag

  Ems-Patvag develops and manufactures pyrotechnic igniters and related components for vehicle safety systems. Its products are used in applications such as airbags and seat-belt tensioners, where reliable ignition is required during a safety event.

• Polyamide fibers and plastics

  Grilon

  Grilon was an early Ems-related brand for polyamide fibers and materials developed from the group’s caprolactam production. It represents the company’s historical transition from basic chemical production into synthetic fibers and engineered polymer materials.

• 2007

  Ems takes full control of EftecM&A

  Background

  Ems Togo had operated Eftec through a joint venture with H.B. Fuller Automotive USA.

  Action taken

  Ems acquired the remaining joint-venture interests and renamed the business Ems Eftec.

  Aftermath

  Ems obtained full control of its automotive bonding and body-materials operation.

  Source

• 2005

  Ems Dottikon separationM&A

  Background

  The group reorganized its fine-chemical activities and family ownership structure.

  Action taken

  Ems Dottikon was separated as an independent company, while the three sisters exchanged interests for shares in Emesta Holding AG.

  Aftermath

  Emesta Holding AG became the main family holding vehicle for the Ems-Chemie stake.

  Source

• 2004

  Family ownership and management transitionOther

  Background

  Christoph Blocher’s election to the Swiss Federal Council meant he could no longer retain his economic connections with the group.

  Action taken

  He transferred his majority stake to his four children, and Magdalena Martullo-Blocher took over group management and the board-delegate role.

  Aftermath

  Ems remained publicly traded while continuing under Blocher-family ownership and management.

  Source

• 1981

  Strategic focus on engineering plasticsStrategy

  Background

  After the formation of a common holding structure and Christoph Blocher’s expanded control, the group sought higher-value industrial materials.

  Action taken

  The company adopted the Ems Chemie names and placed greater emphasis on engineering plastics and related specialty materials.

  Aftermath

  The strategy became the foundation for the later Ems-Grivory, Ems-Griltec, Ems-Eftec and Ems-Patvag businesses.

  Source

• 1956

  End of subsidized fuel productionStrategy

  Background

  Hovag’s wood-based ethyl-alcohol fuel business depended on Swiss state support during and after the Second World War. A national referendum rejected further subsidies for 1956–1960.

  Action taken

  The company stopped producing ethyl alcohol for use as a fuel additive and continued diversifying into chemicals and materials.

  Aftermath

  The decision accelerated the shift toward ammonia, urea, caprolactam, polyamides and synthetic fibers.

  Source

1. 1Ems-Chemieen.wikipedia.org