ATLANTA January 22, 2001 ATOFINA, the world's fifth largest chemical company, acquired an equity stake in Omnexus, a B2B plastics' e-marketplace. The chemical company joins founding companies BASF, Bayer, Dow, DuPont and Ticona/Celanese in addition to leading suppliers DSM, PolyOne, Solvay, Resinex, Clariant, Ellis & Evarard, and Biesterfeld.
ATOFINA's decision to make a financial investment in Omnexus demonstrates their commitment and understanding of the value that the Omnexus model brings to customers worldwide, said Rene Mueller, vice president supplier relations, Europe.
"As a major plastic supplier, ATOFINA has made the decision to join Omnexus, where we find other major players in this field," said Robert Azerad, vice president e-business. "ATOFINA, a customer proximity driven company, has been enhancing sales and organization through the newest technologies and is well prepared to support Omnexus in providing real additional value to the customers. This will complete the e-commerce investments of ATOFINA."
ATOFINA, the chemical branch of the oil group TotalFinaElf, produces a variety of resins, thermoplastics, elastomers and polymers for markets such as automotive, health, packaging and sports.
Including ATOFINA, Omnexus now has 13 global companies with a financial stake in the e-marketplace. Additionally, more than 20 suppliers sell their products through Omnexus.
Omnexus is currently operating in the United States and has plans to open European operations in the first quarter of 2001 and in Asia by the end of the year.
