Cassella

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Cassella products include dyes; auxiliary materials for the textile, paper, and leather industries; raw materials for paints; synthetic resins for laminated plastic sheeting; and pharmaceuticals. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. ICI’s constituent companies in 1926 produced chemicals, dyes , explosives , fertilizers , fibres , nonferrous metals , and paints , and the group went on to produce a wider range of chemicals, paints, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres (especially polyesters and nylon ), and plastics . In 1993 ICI split off its drug, pesticide, and specialty chemical concerns into a new corporation named Zeneca Group PLC (which merged in 1999 with the Swedish company Astra AB to become AstraZeneca). The parent company continued to produce industrial polymers and other chemicals, paints, and explosives. In 1997 ICI bought the specialty chemicals business of Unilever . However, that acquisition placed the company about four billion pounds in debt. ICI then sold off much of its business until it was left with the adhesive and starch company National Starch and the paint brand Dulux. The Dutch company AkzoNobel bought ICI in 2008, sold National Starch to the German company Henkel, and absorbed the remainder of the company into its own operations. This article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen .