Brenntag, the global leader in chemical and ingredient distribution, celebrated its 150th anniversary yesterday in Essen, Germany, where the DAX40 company is headquartered. The event brought together numerous guests from the chemical industry, including customers, suppliers, business partners, and distinguished attendees such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
In his address and discussions with Brenntag CEO Christian Kohlpaintner, the Chancellor underscored the significance of the chemical industry and celebrated Brenntag’s success story. As a distributor, Brenntag connects over 1,000 suppliers with approximately 180,000 customers worldwide.
“I want Germany to remain a successful industrial nation—home to world market leaders and quality industrial jobs. From its founding to today, Brenntag has been characterized by a willingness to evolve and adapt to new conditions, making it one of the most successful companies in Germany, with locations globally,” said Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “Brenntag’s achievements are due to wise decision-making and an understanding that success hinges on its employees.”
Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO of Brenntag SE, reflected on the company’s journey during the ceremony: “With respect and pride, we celebrate our history—the people, decisions, and challenges that have shaped us. Brenntag has thrived by continuously adapting to changing conditions, driven by curiosity and pioneering spirit while remaining focused. We learn from our past experiences, using them to guide us toward a responsible and successful future. In the spirit of our founder, Philipp Mühsam, Brenntag has always evolved, and we will continue to actively shape our markets as a global leader.”
The anniversary celebrations culminated in a grand ceremony at Zeche Zollverein’s Grand Hall, attended by around 400 guests, featuring an engaging program that highlighted Brenntag’s 150-year history. This event followed a series of global employee celebrations on the company’s founding day, October 9, along with a customer and supplier gathering and the release of the historical study “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World.” An extensive internal communications campaign has also been conducted throughout the anniversary year.
“In honoring our history, this milestone anniversary serves as a way to express our gratitude to our employees, customers, suppliers, and industry partners,” Kohlpaintner added. “Thank you for your collaboration and commitment, and for being with us on this journey. I look forward to what lies ahead.”
Founded by Jewish entrepreneur Philipp Mühsam in Berlin in 1874 as an egg wholesale business, Brenntag quickly began trading in chemicals. After being acquired by the Stinnes Group, it was renamed “Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport-Aktiengesellschaft” in 1937, later abbreviated to “Brenntag.” The headquarters moved to Mülheim an der Ruhr in the 1940s, where it remained until 2017. Brenntag has grown organically and through acquisitions under various ownership structures, expanding its portfolio, size, and global reach. Today, the company operates around 600 sites in over 72 countries and employs more than 17,700 people, servicing thousands of customers with a diverse range of industrial and specialty chemicals, products, and value-added services. Brenntag has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2010 and joined the DAX in 2021.
