Imperial Chemical Industries

Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was a British chemical company and one of the largest manufacturing businesses in the world. It was formed in 1926 from the merger of four leading British chemical companies. It produced a wide range of products, including paints, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals. Until it was acquired by AkzoNobel in 2008, ICI was an independent company listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

History

Imperial Chemical Industries was founded in 1926 through the merger of four companies: Brunner Mond, Nobel Explosives, the United Alkali Company, and British Dyestuffs Corporation. The merger was intended to create a British chemical company that could compete with international giants like DuPont and IG Farben.

In the following decades, ICI expanded its operations globally, establishing plants in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and the United States. It also diversified its product range, moving into pharmaceuticals, paints, and agrochemicals.

Products

ICI's product range was diverse, reflecting its origins as a merger of several different chemical companies. It produced industrial chemicals, paints, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and agrochemicals.

Pharmaceuticals

ICI's pharmaceutical division, later spun off as Zeneca, developed several important drugs, including tamoxifen for breast cancer and tenormin for hypertension.

Paints

ICI's paints division, known as Dulux, is one of the world's leading paint brands. It produces a wide range of paints for both professional and DIY use.

Agrochemicals

ICI's agrochemicals division produced a range of products for use in agriculture, including pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.

Acquisition by AkzoNobel

In 2008, ICI was acquired by Dutch company AkzoNobel, one of the world's leading paint and coatings companies. The acquisition marked the end of ICI as an independent company.

Legacy

Despite its acquisition, the ICI brand remains strong, particularly in the paints sector. The company's legacy also lives on in the many products it developed and the industries it helped to shape.