Jacobi Carbons Announces Acquisition Of PICA SASU

Jacobi Carbons announced recently that it has agreed to acquire PICA SASU, a leading provider of activated carbon solutions based in France with substantial manufacturing and sales assets throughout the world.

PICA has assisted customers with their activated carbon needs since the 1950's offering highly specialized products to the market with a strong focus on products manufactured from coconut shell and wood raw materials. Backed by a strong R&D, PICA is a market leader in premium grade products such as impregnated carbons for civil and military personal protection, highly specialized products for the pharmaceutical industry and a strong portfolio for the water and food industries. PICA is based in Paris, France and operates four manufacturing facilities in Vierzon (France), Basiano (Italy), Columbus, OH (USA) and Ben Tre (Vietnam). PICA sales offices are established in France, Italy, Spain, UK, USA, Australia and Singapore.

The combination of Jacobi and PICA will create a leading, integrated world-class supplier of activated carbon products and solutions with close to 1000 employees worldwide. The company will be the world's largest coconut shell carbon manufacturer with wholly owned production assets in three countries (India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam) and a combined coconut shell carbon capacity in excess of 40,000 MT (88 million lbs). In Europe, Jacobi will be offering unparalleled reactivation and mobile filter service with two centers (Vierzon, France and Premnitz, Germany) and the production in France will add highly specialized wood based products to the portfolio. The supply of coal based carbons from Jacobi China will be significantly expanded to complement the needs of the combined entity.

"Sustainable raw materials in the activated carbon industry coupled with a strong global approach is critical as a foundation for our business, making Jacobi one of the fastest growing activated carbon companies in the world," said Jacobi CEO Anders Skeini. "The addition of PICA will further Jacobi's strategy of delivering highly specialized products based on coconut shell and wood, combined with an unparalleled proximity to the market using the combined sales locations established in over 15 countries."

SOURCE: Jacobi Carbons