MULHEIM, Germany — Brenntag AG announced an offer to acquire Holland Chemical International N.V. (HCI), a major global chemical distributor, for approximately 288 million euros and the assumption of HCI’s debt of approximately 257 million euros.

The combined business would operate offices in Germany; Reading, PA; Houston; and Amsterdam, and Brenntag said the acquisition would make it the biggest chemical distributor worldwide and third-biggest distributor in North America. Brenntag, a subsidiary of Stinnes AG, said HCI is the fifth-largest chemical distributor worldwide.