Univar Solutions

Corporate brand

Unclaimed Request correction

Global distributor of chemicals, ingredients, and related technical and value-added services.

Last updated August 27, 2026

AI crawler reads

No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.

Overview

Univar Solutions is a United States-based global chemical and ingredients distributor. The company supplies industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, food and pharmaceutical ingredients, personal-care materials, coatings inputs, energy-related products, and other formulated or commodity materials. Its role is generally broader than that of a conventional wholesaler: it combines sourcing, storage, logistics, regulatory support, product stewardship, formulation assistance, technical advice, and waste-management services for industrial and commercial customers. The business began in Seattle in 1924 as Van Waters & Rogers, founded by George Van Waters and Nat Rogers. The original firm traded naval supplies, paints, raw materials, and cotton linters. Its entry into laundry supplies created an early path into chemicals, and the company expanded across the western United States during the 1930s and 1940s. Acquisitions and new facilities took it into additional markets, including California, Texas, Western Canada, and other parts of North America. Van Waters & Rogers went public in 1956 and became VWR United after a merger with United Pacific Corporation in the 1960s. The company adopted the Univar name in 1974. During the 1980s it developed into one of North America's largest chemical distributors, supported by acquisitions and a coast-to-coast distribution network. It also introduced ChemCare, a waste-management and product-stewardship service intended to help customers respond to increasingly stringent environmental and regulatory requirements. The company's ownership and international structure changed several times. Royal Pakhoed provided financial backing for the acquisition of McKesson Chemical, and the two businesses created a large North American distribution platform. Univar subsequently expanded into Europe through acquisitions. Royal Pakhoed acquired Univar in 1996, and the subsequent combination of Royal Pakhoed and Royal Van Ommeren created Royal Vopak in 1999. Univar separated from Royal Vopak as an independent company in 2002. Further expansion followed under private-equity ownership. Univar acquired CHEMCENTRAL in 2007, Basic Chemical Solutions in 2010, the Quaron distribution business in Belgium and the Netherlands in 2011, and other regional operations. It moved its corporate headquarters to Downers Grove, Illinois, in 2013 and later returned to public-market ownership through an initial public offering in 2015. The acquisition of Nexeo Solutions was completed in 2019, after which the company adopted the Univar Solutions name. That transaction strengthened its position in chemical distribution and related materials markets. Univar Solutions serves industries whose demand is tied to population and manufacturing activity, including food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, coatings, construction, agriculture, industrial manufacturing, and energy. The company employs technical specialists, scientists, and other subject-matter experts to help customers select materials, develop formulations, manage compliance, and improve supply continuity. Its service model is therefore based on combining a broad product portfolio with local inventory, transportation capabilities, technical knowledge, and regulatory support. In 2022, Brenntag announced an intention to acquire Univar, but the plan was abandoned in early 2023 after opposition from some Brenntag shareholders. Univar then agreed to be acquired by Apollo Global Management for an enterprise value reported at approximately $8.1 billion. The transaction, which included minority participation by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, closed in August 2023 and returned Univar Solutions to private ownership. The company remains headquartered in Illinois and continues to operate an international chemical and ingredients distribution network.

History

Univar Solutions traces its history to August 8, 1924, when George Van Waters and Nat Rogers established Van Waters & Rogers in Seattle, Washington. The company initially traded naval supplies, paint, raw materials, and cotton linters. Its later entry into laundry supplies connected the business to chemical distribution, which became its defining activity. During the 1930s, the company expanded its facilities and opened or developed operations in Portland, Spokane, and Los Angeles. An industrial chemicals division led by Glen McElvain helped broaden the product range and supported acquisitions of local chemical businesses. Sales increased substantially during the 1940s, while the company extended its reach into San Francisco and Texas. By the early postwar period, it had become a significant regional distributor rather than a small Seattle trading firm. Van Waters & Rogers acquired Industrial Materials of Vancouver and Braun-Knecht-Heimann of San Francisco in 1950. It completed its first public stock offering in 1956 and, by the end of that decade, operated across the western United States, Texas, and Western Canada. In the 1960s, its headquarters briefly moved to San Francisco. A merger with United Pacific Corporation led to the VWR United name in 1966, followed by a New York Stock Exchange listing in 1969. Nat Rogers retired from the board in 1970, and the company adopted the Univar name in 1974. Its strategy increasingly emphasized national scale through acquisitions. The purchase of McArthur Chemical strengthened Canadian distribution and helped create a North American platform. In the 1980s, Univar became one of the continent's leading chemical distributors. During the same period, regulatory and environmental concerns encouraged the company to invest in product stewardship and waste management, including its ChemCare service. Royal Pakhoed supported Univar's acquisition of McKesson Chemical. The combination created a distribution network spanning more than 100 locations in the United States and Canada. Univar also entered Europe through the acquisition of several chemical distribution businesses, forming Univar Europe. Royal Pakhoed acquired Univar in 1996 and later combined with Royal Van Ommeren in 1999 to form Royal Vopak. Univar separated from Royal Vopak in 2002 and resumed operation as an independent global chemical distributor. It acquired CHEMCENTRAL in 2007, becoming privately held under ownership primarily associated with funds managed or advised by CVC Capital Partners. Clayton, Dubilier & Rice later acquired a substantial ownership interest. Additional acquisitions included Basic Chemical Solutions in the United States and the Quaron distribution business in Belgium and the Netherlands. The company moved its corporate headquarters from Redmond, Washington, to Downers Grove, Illinois, in 2013. It filed for an initial public offering in 2014 and subsequently became a public company. Univar joined the Fortune 500 in 2016. Its scale continued to grow through the acquisition of Nexeo Solutions, completed in March 2019. The company rebranded as Univar Solutions on March 1, 2019, and later sold its North American Environmental Sciences division. Univar Solutions expanded its specialty-chemicals presence through the acquisition of Turkish distributor Kale Kimya and developed additional food-ingredient distribution relationships. In 2022, Brenntag announced plans to acquire the company, but those plans were withdrawn in early 2023 following shareholder criticism. In March 2023, Univar agreed to a take-private transaction led by Apollo Global Management. The transaction included minority investment from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and closed in August 2023. Univar Solutions subsequently continued as a privately owned distributor headquartered in Illinois, with operations and facilities in North America and international markets.

2023
Returned to private ownership
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
An Apollo-led investor group completed the acquisition of Univar Solutions, with minority participation from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.
2019
Nexeo Solutions acquisition and rebrand
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Univar completed its acquisition of Nexeo Solutions and adopted the Univar Solutions name.
2013
Headquarters moved to Downers Grove
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Univar relocated its corporate headquarters from Redmond, Washington, to Downers Grove, Illinois.
2007
CHEMCENTRAL acquired
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expanded Univar's position in chemical distribution and returned it to private ownership.
2002
Separated from Royal Vopak
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Univar became an independent company after separating from Royal Vopak.
1996
Acquired by Royal Pakhoed
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Royal Pakhoed acquired Univar, beginning a period of ownership that later led to Royal Vopak.
1974
Univar name adopted
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
The company adopted the Univar name as it pursued broader national distribution.
1969
New York Stock Exchange listing
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
The company became listed on the New York Stock Exchange under its then-current corporate structure.
1956
First public stock offering
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Van Waters & Rogers completed its first public stock offering.
1924
Van Waters & Rogers founded
[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
George Van Waters and Nat Rogers established the original Seattle trading and distribution business.

Products and positioning

Chemical and ingredients distribution supported by technical services, supply-chain management, regulatory expertise, and product stewardship.

Industrial chemicals
Commodity chemicals
Univar Solutions distributes high-volume chemical materials used in manufacturing, processing, cleaning, water treatment, agriculture, construction, and other industrial applications. Its contribution includes supplier access, bulk and packaged storage, transportation, inventory planning, and compliance support. Commodity distribution is a core scale-driven activity, with the company connecting producers to regional and national industrial customers.
Specialty chemicals
Specialty chemicals
The specialty-chemicals portfolio serves customers that need materials with defined performance characteristics, formulation support, or application-specific technical guidance. Specialists and scientists help customers evaluate materials, address regulatory requirements, and improve formulations. The business covers applications across coatings, adhesives, personal care, pharmaceuticals, industrial manufacturing, agriculture, and related markets.
Food ingredients
Food and nutrition ingredients
Univar Solutions distributes ingredients and related materials for food, beverage, nutrition, and dairy applications. Services may include sourcing, storage, logistics, documentation, and technical assistance for formulation and product development. The company has also acted as an authorized distributor for selected food-ingredient and dairy-product suppliers.
Life-science and consumer ingredients
Pharmaceutical and personal-care ingredients
The company supplies ingredients and chemical inputs used by pharmaceutical, personal-care, and consumer-product manufacturers. Customers receive access to materials, technical information, regulatory documentation, and supply-chain services. These markets fit Univar's population-linked strategy because demand is connected to healthcare, hygiene, beauty, and everyday consumer goods.
Waste management and product stewardship
ChemCare
ChemCare is a waste-management and product-stewardship service associated with Univar's response to environmental regulation and customer demand for compliant chemical handling. The offering is designed to support the management of chemical waste and related responsibilities, complementing the company's distribution, logistics, and regulatory capabilities.

Controversies

2025
Retirement-plan management class action settlement
Univar Solutions USA reportedly reached a $1.1 million settlement in a class action concerning alleged mismanagement of a $978 million retirement plan during 2016–2024. The settlement reflects allegations and does not by itself establish liability.
Source
2019
Antidumping-duty settlement involving Chinese saccharin
Univar USA agreed to pay $62.5 million to resolve allegations by the United States Department of Justice that the company had evaded antidumping duties on 36 shipments of Chinese saccharin between 2007 and 2012.
Source

2025
Sell Tonawanda facilities under sale-leasebackStrategy
Background
Univar Solutions owned facilities in Tonawanda while continuing to use them for operations.
Action taken
The company sold the properties to Fortress Investment Group for a reported $10.84 million and continued occupying them through a sale-leaseback agreement.
Aftermath
The transaction monetized the properties while allowing Univar to retain operational use of the facilities.
Property sale value. $10.84 million (2025)
Source
2023
Take-private transaction led by ApolloM&A
Background
After the proposed Brenntag combination was abandoned, Univar agreed to be acquired by funds controlled by Apollo Global Management.
Action taken
The Apollo-led group acquired Univar for a reported total enterprise value of $8.1 billion. The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority participated as a minority investor, and the transaction closed in August 2023.
Aftermath
Univar Solutions returned to private ownership and continued operating as an international chemical and ingredients distributor.
Total enterprise value. $8.1 billion (Transaction announced and completed in 2023)
Source
2022
Evaluate proposed Brenntag acquisitionM&A
Background
Brenntag announced an intention to acquire Univar as part of a potential combination involving two major chemical distributors.
Action taken
The proposed transaction was abandoned in early 2023 after criticism from some Brenntag shareholders.
Aftermath
Univar remained independent until agreeing to a separate Apollo-led take-private transaction.
- Brenntag — Brenntag abandoned its proposed acquisition after shareholder criticism.
Source
2019
Acquire Nexeo Solutions and rebrandM&A
Background
Nexeo Solutions was a long-standing competitor in chemical distribution and had previously operated as a division of Ashland before being spun off.
Action taken
Univar completed the acquisition in March 2019 and changed its corporate brand to Univar Solutions on March 1.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened the combined distribution platform and strengthened the company's position in chemicals and related materials.
Source

Recent events

2025
Univar sells Tonawanda facilities in sale-leaseback transaction[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
Other
Univar Solutions sold facilities in Tonawanda to Fortress Investment Group and continued to occupy the properties under a sale-leaseback arrangement.
2023
Univar Solutions completes acquisition by Apollo-led investor group[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Univar Solutions was taken private in a transaction led by funds controlled by Apollo Global Management, with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority participating as a minority investor.
2023
Brenntag abandons proposed Univar acquisition[1]Univar Solutionsen.wikipedia.org
M&A
A proposed acquisition of Univar by Brenntag was abandoned after criticism from some Brenntag shareholders.

Sources9 sources

Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/univar-solutions · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled