Brenntag is celebrating its 150th anniversary by commissioning a detailed historical review of its journey in collaboration with renowned historians and the Society for Corporate History.
Brenntag has released "150 Years of Brenntag – From Berlin out into the World" to commemorate its special anniversary. The book provides a thoroughly researched account of the company's history, tracing its origins back to 1874 when it was founded by Jewish entrepreneur Philipp Mühsam as an egg wholesaler in Berlin. It also sheds light on the broader history of chemical distribution, a topic that has been largely overlooked in economic history literature until now.
“Looking back on our own company history offers the opportunity to reflect on the people and challenges that have shaped our company over the years. It was a matter close to my heart to have this history comprehensively reappraised for our anniversary, even the aspects where shadows weigh on it. A better understanding of the successes, setbacks and experiences of the past will help us to be successful in the future and to act responsibly. Brenntag has constantly changed and developed, and we continue to do so today in order to actively shape our markets as a global market leader,” has stated Christian Kohlpaintner, CEO of Brenntag SE.
“Brenntag’s unusual history goes back to the 19th century. A company that traded in grain, eggs and butter developed into the chemicals trading company Philipp Mühsam AG. It was not until the ‘Aryanization’ by the industrialist Stinnes family in 1937 that the name was changed to ‘Brennstoff-, Chemikalien- und Transport AG’, or Brenntag for short,” has explained Christopher Kopper, author and expert in economic and corporate history.
“Brenntag's business scope grew in line with the chemicalization of the world. After the Second World War, the company became increasingly international, but was also active in trade between Western and Eastern Germany. Drawing on a wide range of sources, we show how the domestic market-oriented family business advanced to become a listed global player over the course of its 150-year existence,” has concluded Stephanie Tilly, economic and corporate historian.