Brenntag, the global leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, has announced the release of the book “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World” to commemorate the company’s special anniversary. This publication provides a well-researched overview of the company’s history, founded in 1874 by Jewish entrepreneur Philipp Mühsam as an egg wholesaler in Berlin, and sheds light on the often-overlooked history of chemical distribution in economic literature.
Historians Dr. Stephanie Tilly and Prof. Dr. Christopher Kopper have meticulously compiled Brenntag’s history, drawing from a diverse array of sources identified and evaluated during a two-year research project. Their work traces the company’s impressive evolution into today’s DAX40 entity, characterized by continuous growth amidst changing political and economic landscapes.
“Reflecting on our company’s history allows us to acknowledge the people and challenges that have shaped our journey over the years. It was important to me to have this history comprehensively reassessed for our anniversary, including the more difficult aspects. Understanding our past successes, setbacks, and experiences will help us succeed in the future and act responsibly. Brenntag has consistently evolved, and we continue to do so as a global market leader,” said Dr. Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO of Brenntag SE.
The periods before and after World War II, the connection with the Stinnes Group, the rise of global chemical production and trade, and the international expansion of the business have been particularly pivotal in Brenntag’s development.
“Brenntag’s unique history dates back to the 19th century, evolving from a company trading in grain, eggs, and butter to Philipp Mühsam AG, a chemical trading enterprise,” explained Prof. Dr. Christopher Kopper, an expert in economic and corporate history. “The name changed to ‘Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport AG’ (Brenntag) only after the ‘Aryanization’ by the Stinnes family in 1937.”
Dr. Stephanie Tilly, an economic and corporate historian, remarked, “Brenntag’s business expanded alongside the chemicalization of the world. After World War II, the company increasingly went international while also engaging in trade between East and West Germany. By utilizing a variety of sources, we illustrate how this family-owned business transitioned into a publicly listed global player over its 150-year history.”
Headquartered in Essen, Germany, Brenntag currently operates approximately 600 sites in over 70 countries. With more than 17,700 employees, the company serves thousands of customers with a wide 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.
The release of “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World” is a significant highlight in the series of celebrations marking Brenntag’s 150th anniversary. To celebrate its founding, the company will hold an official ceremony in Essen in October, along with global events for employees.
Additional Insights on “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World”:
Prof. Dr. Stephan Lindner, a Professor of Economic, Social, and Technical History at the University of the Bundeswehr in Munich, noted, “It’s remarkable that this book focuses on the distribution rather than the production of chemicals based on extensive research over the last 150 years. The description of the strategies Brenntag pursued in the post-war decades, both as part of a group and as an independent company, is compelling. The company also played a role in trade between East and West Germany and was involved in the ransoming of political prisoners from the GDR. Overall, this book, with its focus on chemical distribution, is highly recommended and breaks new ground in the study of corporate histories.”
Ralph Alberti, Managing Director of Verband Chemiehandel e.V. (VCH), commented, “Brenntag has been closely associated with VCH since 1903 as a founding member of the former ‘Verein der Drogen- und Chemikalien-Grosshändler’ (Association of Drug and Chemical Wholesalers), which evolved into VCH after World War II. This bond remains strong today, as representatives of Brenntag have supported VCH in various roles on the board and in working groups. We would like to extend our gratitude for 120 years of shared history and their ongoing constructive support during this time.
