Brenntag presents historical company study as it turns 150

Brenntag, the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, announces the publication of “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World” to mark the company's special anniversary. The book offers a thoroughly researched overview of the history of the company, which was founded in 1874 by Jewish entrepreneur Philipp Mühsam as an egg wholesaler in Berlin, as well as the history of chemical distribution, which has rarely been illuminated in economic history literature to date.

The book “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World” provides a comprehensive insight into the company's multifaceted history and sheds light on the so far rarely researched history of chemical distribution

The historians D. Stephanie Tilly and Prof. Dr Christopher Kopper have compiled a detailed history of the company. Based on a wide range of sources, which were identified and evaluated in a research project lasting around two years, the authors trace the impressive 150-year history of Brenntag to today's DAX40 company, which was characterized by constant development in changing political and economic circumstances.

“Looking back on our own company history offers the opportunity to reflect on the people and challenges that have shaped our company over the years. It was a matter close to my heart to have this history comprehensively reappraised for our anniversary, even the aspects where shadows weigh on it. A better understanding of the successes, setbacks and experiences of the past will help us to be successful in the future and to act responsibly. Brenntag has constantly changed and developed, and we continue to do so today in order to actively shape our markets as a global market leader,” says Dr Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO of Brenntag SE.

The period before and after the Second World War, the affiliation with the Stinnes Group, the rise of global chemical production and trade, and the internationalization of the business were particularly formative for Brenntag’s development.

“Brenntag’s unusual history goes back to the 19th century. A company that traded in grain, eggs and butter developed into the chemicals trading company Philipp Mühsam AG,” explains Prof. Dr Christopher Kopper, author and expert in economic and corporate history. “It was not until the ‘Aryanization’ by the industrialist Stinnes family in 1937 that the name was changed to ‘Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport AG’, or Brenntag for short.”

Dr Stephanie Tilly, economic and corporate historian, comments: “Brenntag's business scope grew in line with the chemicalization of the world. After the Second World War, the company became increasingly international, but was also active in trade between Western and Eastern Germany. Drawing on a wide range of sources, we show how the domestic market-oriented family business advanced to become a listed global player over the course of its 150-year existence.”

Headquartered in Essen, Germany, today Brenntag operates about 600 sites in more than 70 countries, and, with more than 17,700 employees, serves thousands of customers with a unique range of industrial and specialty chemicals, products and value-added services. The company has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2010 and in the DAX since 2021.

The publication of the company study ”150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World” is a highlight in a series of celebrations to mark Brenntag’s 150th anniversary. To mark its founding date, Brenntag will celebrate an official ceremony in Essen in October, in addition to worldwide events for employees.

The book is published by Siedler Verlag and is available in stores [ISBN: 978-3-8275-0194-3].

Additional voices on the book “150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World”:

Prof. Dr Stephan Lindner, Professor of Economic, Social and Technical History at the University of the Bundeswehr, Munich: “It is remarkable that this book deals with the distribution rather than the production of chemicals on the basis of extensive research over 150 years. The description of the strategies that Brenntag pursued in the post-war decades, whether as part of a group or as an independent company, is exciting to read. The company was also active in German-German trade and was involved in the ransoming of political prisoners of the GDR. Overall, with its focus on the distribution of chemicals, the book is highly recommended and breaks new ground in the study of company histories.”

Ralph Alberti, Managing Director of Verband Chemiehandel e.V. (VCH) (Association of Chemical Dealers): “The company has been particularly associated with VCH since 1903 as it is a founding member of the former ‘Verein der Drogen- und Chemikalien-Grosshändler’ (Association of Drug and Chemical Wholesalers), from which VCH emerged after the Second World War. This bond is still reflected today in the fact that representatives of Brenntag have supported or continue to support VCH in various functions, both on the board and in working groups. We would especially like to thank them for 120 years of shared history and their constructive support during this time.”

About Gesellschaft für Unternehmensgeschichte e.V.:

Gesellschaft für Unternehmensgeschichte (GUG) (Society for Corporate History, founded in 1976, is an internationally recognized scientific institution for the promotion of corporate history research. The GUG counts well-known companies among its members. The committees are made up of influential people from industry and science.