The soap factory has developed into a modern chemical works with a broad range of products.
On the following pages of this internet presentation we would like to give you an impression of the historical development of our company
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In 1923, Peter Greven established the "soap and glycerine factory". At first main emphasis was put on the soda, laundry soap and washing powder production. With only a few members of staff Peter Greven already then laid the foundations for the positive developement of the company to the current market position.
In 1934 a lipolysis equipment was put into operation, in order to cover the increasing demand for fatty acids. From now on the company was more independent of raw material markets and, at the same time, the production programme could be extended by further products.
In 1945, after the second World War, the sons Heinz and Günther took over their father's business. Both already gained first experiences in their time as trainees before the war in different companies of industrial chemistry. In the following years they carried out the change from the soap factory to the manufacturer of fat chemical additives and derivates.
In 1956 the production of metal soaps was started, for which completely new technologies had to be developed. Due to the then starting market development, especially in the plastics industry, processing auxiliary products gained more and more in importance.
On 2nd november 1956, the subsidiary company "Chemische Fabrik Iversheim" was founded which specialized in the production of of dispenser dosable products for skin cleansing. Until today these products are offered on the market under the name "IVRAXO".
The Seventies were characterized by basic changes. Apart from a modern administration building new efficient production plants were installed, in order to come up to the increasing demand for metal soaps.
The installation of a modern high-pressure lipolysis system was also carried out in this period.
In the Eightees the production sector of fatty acid derivates was extended by ester.
The new building of a computer-aided high-bay warehouse and the use of a robot-controlled confectioning system led to an optimization of the total logistics.
The Ninetees were determined by innovative and directive changes. In order to reduce packing material a modern BigBag, container and silo trailer filing equipment was installed.
As one of the first worldwide the company GREVEN carried out the step from conventional batch saponification to a fully automatic contisaponification.
In 2000 GREVEN took over a manufacturing plant in Venlo (NL), its business is led by the subsidiary PETER GREVEN NEDERLAND. This manufacturing plant, which is situated near the German-Dutch border, exclusively produces vegetable based metal soaps.
In the same year the subsidiary "Chemische Fabrik Iversheim" was renamed in PETER GREVEN HAUTSCHUTZ.
While a lot of companies in the chemical market reduce their business due to the difficult market situation Peter Greven expands its business and aquired the stearate business of company Ceca (a subsidiary of Total-Atofina).
With this acquisition we enlarged our product portfolio with some specialities, we extended our customer base and strengthened our marked position as one of the leading producers of stearates in Europe.
In cooperation with IOI Oleochemical industries Peter Greven set up the Joint Venture Peter Greven Asia in Penang. Merging the strengths of this two market leaders the vision and aim of the Joint- Venture Peter Greven Asia is to attain a leading position in metallic soaps in Asia.
Those metallic soaps will be used as additives in many diversified applications, the biggest industry partners will be plastics, rubber, building protection and paper industry.
The main markets for the Joint Venture will be the Asian markets China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, but also Middle East and the U.S..
After 85 years the whole Peter Greven Group has more than 250 employees. To offer our customers also in the future innovative and high-quality products we invest in new technologies, products and in the training of our employees.
