[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Johannes von Cossel has been the Managing Director of Additiv-Chemie Luers GmbH & Co. KG<\/a> (ACL for short), a subsidiary of the DS Group, for four years. The Delmenhorst-based chemical company specializes in the production of additives, package solutions, and specialty products for metalworking. In the interview, we discussed strategies for positioning in a specialized niche and the importance of sustainable products. <\/p>\n The chemical industry in Germany has recently faced various challenges. Among other things, the sector is suffering from high energy prices, which are negatively impacting production. Many companies have had to accept revenue losses and cut back on investments. Large companies like Evonik have significantly reduced their workforce. Despite these circumstances, Additiv-Chemie Luers successfully concluded the 2023 financial year. What factors contributed to this positive result? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The increased energy costs, amounting to about 200,000 to 250,000 euros in additional costs per year, are noticeable but are not comparable to the costs that large energy-intensive companies like BASF or Evonik have to bear. In addition to oil from DS and gas, we can also rely on cost-effective electricity from our own photovoltaic system. <\/p>\n We operate in a highly specialized market segment and are well aware of the influences and challenges. We face these challenges and focus on sales. We have successfully expanded our trading business. The products from our own production are particularly important for Additiv-Chemie Luers, as they are a significant revenue factor and guarantee employment in production. Therefore, we place great emphasis on their further development and distribution. <\/p>\n What strategies does Additiv-Chemie Luers pursue to successfully position itself in the specialized niche of the chemical industry?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Our strength lies in the specialty business. In contrast to the high-volume business in the energy sector, we specialize in smaller quantities with higher margins. A central element of our strategy is to take over distribution for other companies in Europe to generate additional revenue. A successful example of this is our partnership with a South African company. As a new distribution partner, we now distribute their product with an annual volume of over 200 tons in the European market. Our goal is to further expand this volume. <\/p>\n Furthermore, we are involved in development projects in cooperation with other companies. A current example is our defoamer project, which we started in 2018. We have been distributing the special defoamer in our market segment since the beginning of 2024. Defoamers are specialty products that are sold in smaller quantities and offer attractive margins. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||30px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ragenzglas-chemie.jpg” alt=”Test tubes with additives” title_text=”Test-Tube-Chemistry” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bildunterschrift” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]In the laboratory of Additiv-Chemie Luers, quality control is located …[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/acl-labor.jpg” alt=”Laboratory of ACC in Delmenhorst” title_text=”Acl-Laboratory” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bildunterschrift” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]… as well as the research and development department.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Additiv-Chemie Luers places great emphasis on sustainability. What concrete steps have you taken to make your products and processes more sustainable, and how do your customers respond to these initiatives? <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n We view sustainability as an integral part of every customer interaction. However, the discussion about sustainability ends with the question of what concrete measures and actions result from it. Many customers want to show that they are active in the area of sustainability, but the topic has not yet fully commercialized. <\/p>\n In petrochemistry, making products more sustainable is a complex challenge. One approach is using alternative synthetic raw materials like esters and vegetable oils instead of mineral oil. These alternatives are more environmentally friendly but also more expensive. The central question remains whether the market is ready to bear these additional costs \u2013 which is often not yet the case. Additionally, the definition of ‘sustainable’ varies greatly. For us, aspects such as biodegradability, solvent-free (VOC-free), product labeling, and mineral oil-free are paramount. <\/p>\n At our site, we are working intensively to make business processes more sustainable. This includes measures such as reducing paper consumption through increased digitalization, switching to green electricity and installing our own photovoltaic system, as well as optimizing our heating processes through technical improvements. We can also minimize steel consumption and thereby save CO2 by reducing the wall thickness of our barrels. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/zitat.svg” title_text=”Quote” admin_label=”Anf\u00fcrhungszeichen” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”80px” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Zitat” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.8em” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_tablet=”1.6em” text_font_size_phone=”1.6em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We consider sustainability as an integral part of our business<\/strong>. For us, aspects such as biodegradability, solvent-free, product labeling, and mineral oil-free are paramount. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/acl-lager.jpg” alt=”Barrels with chemicals from ACL” title_text=”Acl-Lager” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bildunterschrift” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]Barrels with chemicals waiting for pickup.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/acl-produktion.jpg” alt=”Production of additives” title_text=”Acl-Produktion” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bildunterschrift” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”14px” text_line_height=”1.2em” global_colors_info=”{}”]Insight into the production at the Delmenhorst site[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Are you planning any expansion, growth, or renovation measures?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In 2017, on DS’s advice, we bought the property next to and behind us. Now we have more than twice as much space available in Delmenhorst. We have submitted a BIMSCH application to the Trade Supervisory Office in Oldenburg to construct a warehouse here with potential production. A new, optimized truck circumnavigation of the buildings is also planned. <\/p>\n The expansion of storage areas is particularly important as our trading business has grown significantly in recent years and we need additional storage space. The necessary loan for these expansion plans has already been approved. We are currently in the approval phase and are waiting for the final consent from the Trade Supervisory Office. <\/p>\n This year, the DS Group expanded its chemical division by acquiring the Norwegian innovator Sparks AS. How do you evaluate this acquisition in the context of the DS Group and what potential do you see for future collaborations? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Sparks<\/a> is a long-standing trading partner of our subsidiary Esti Chem<\/a>. The company is led by two experienced colleagues who know the market and the peculiarities of the Scandinavian region, such as the climatic conditions, very well. Sparks currently focuses on supplying the Norwegian oil industry with environmentally friendly or biodegradable cleaning agents. A forward-looking project is the cleaning of oil platforms that need to be dismantled or decommissioned due to the decline in oil production. Esti Chem is already active in this area. <\/p>\n The Scandinavian market is characterized by a progressive attitude towards renewable raw materials. In collaboration with Sparks and Esti Chem, we see great potential for jointly developing new products and expanding into new sales territories. Furthermore, there is the possibility of further developing and marketing ‘Green Fuels’ such as HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil, biofuel from hydrogenated vegetable oil) together with the energy division of the DS Group. <\/p>\n We evaluate the acquisition of Sparks as very positive and see it as an excellent opportunity to further expand the DS Group’s business in the chemical sector and to benefit from the experiences and competencies of Sparks and Esti Chem.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”30px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ds-bremen.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/zitat.svg” title_text=”Quote” admin_label=”Anf\u00fcrhungszeichen” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”80px” module_alignment=”left” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Zitat” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”1.8em” text_line_height=”1.1em” text_font_size_tablet=”1.6em” text_font_size_phone=”1.6em” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In collaboration with Sparks and Esti Chem, we see great potential for developing new products and expanding into new sales territories. Furthermore, there is the possibility of further developing and marketing renewable products together with the energy division of the DS Group<\/strong>. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#D4D4D4″ divider_weight=”1px” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n