AMSTERDAM, the Netherlands - AkzoNobel has finalized the €153 million divestment of its global paper chemicals business to Kemira. The deal was first announced in July 2014.

"This is another important step in our strategy to focus on leading positions in bleaching chemicals, colloidal silica and expandable microspheres," said Niek Stapel, Managing Director Pulp and Performance Chemicals. "The deal includes an agreement for distribution of colloidal silica to the paper industry, and we are looking forward to future growth of this product line."

AkzoNobel continues to have a strong presence in the pulp industry as the leading global supplier of chemicals and customized solutions for bleaching pulp, marketed under the Eka brand.

The Pulp and Performance Chemicals portfolio also includes sustainable products and technologies used in a variety of other applications, marketed under brands such as Bindzil, Expancel, Kromasil and Levasil.