Sulzer to Acquire Wärtsilä’s VIEC Business in Norway

Swiss manufacturing company Sulzer has signed a binding agreement to acquire Wärtsilä’s Vessel Internal Electrostatic Coalescer (VIEC) business.

This VIEC business is based in Asker in Norway.

VIEC has developed a patented technology to separate oil from water. The technology can help in reducing operational costs largely due to its unique in-vessel design.

The technology enhances oil and water quality and is equally effective for offshore and onshore installations.

In the last 15 years, this technology was delivered to more than 40 clients.

With this acquisition, Sulzer improves its Chemtech upstream product portfolio for advanced oil and water segregation technical applications.

The acquired technology will complement and enrich its current range and assist to improve its business in the upstream market.

Chemtech division president Torsten Wintergerste said: “We are very excited to welcome VIEC’s team of experienced professionals and their unique technology to the Sulzer family.

“In-vessel coalescers further complement our product portfolio in the upstream segment, which will benefit our customers worldwide.”

Chemtech now plans to deliver the full product and application portfolio to its international customers.

Headquartered in Winterthur in Switzerland, Sulzer focuses in providing pumping solutions, rotating equipment maintenance and services with an employee strength of about 14,000 people. It provides its sustainable solutions to the oil and gas, power and water industries.

In 2015, it reportedly achieved sales of approximately $2.92bn.

Source: Hydrocarbons Technology