Editing Imperial Chemical Industries

{{Short description|Former British chemicals, paints and pharmaceuticals company}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Imperial Chemical Industries plc
| logo = File:Imperial Chemical Industries (logo).svg
| logo_caption = Logo designed by [[Design Research Unit]]
| type = [[Public limited company|Public]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1926|df=yes}}
| defunct = {{End date and age|2008|df=yes}}
| location = [[London]], England, UK
| key_people = [[Alfred Mond]] (first CEO)<br>[[Paul Chambers (industrialist)|Sir Paul Chambers]]<br>[[Sir John Harvey-Jones]]<br>Dr John McAdam CBE (last CEO)
| industry = [[Chemical industry|Chemicals]]
| products = General chemicals, plastics, paints, pharmaceuticals & speciality chemicals
| fate = Acquired by [[AkzoNobel]]
| revenue = £4.85&nbsp;billion (2006)
| operating_income = £502&nbsp;million (2006)
| net_income = £295&nbsp;million (2006)
| num_employees = 29,130 (2006)
}}

'''Imperial Chemical Industries''' ('''ICI''') was a British [[Chemical industry|chemical]] company. It was, for much of its history, the largest manufacturer in Britain.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article4276592.ece |location=London |work=The Times |first1=David |last1=Smith |first2=Dominic |last2=O'Connell |first3=Iain |last3=Dey |first4=James |last4=Ashton |first5=Matthew |last5=Goodman |first6=Teena |last6=Lyons |first7=William |last7=Kay |title=Falling into the abyss |date=6 July 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120140310/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article4276592.ece |archive-date=20 November 2008 }}</ref> Its headquarters were at [[Millbank]] in [[London]]. ICI was listed on the [[London Stock Exchange]] and was a constituent of the [[FT 30]] and later the [[FTSE 100 Index|FTSE 100]] indices.

ICI was formed in 1926 as a result of the [[merger]] of four of Britain's leading chemical companies. From the onset, it was involved in the production of various chemicals, explosives, [[fertiliser]]s, [[insecticide]]s, [[dyestuff]]s, [[non-ferrous]] metals, and paints; the firm soon become involved in [[plastic]]s and a variety of speciality products, including food ingredients, [[polymer]]s, electronic materials, fragrances and flavourings. During the [[Second World War]], ICI's subsidiary [[Nobel Enterprises|ICI Nobel]] produced munitions for Britain's war effort; the wider company was also involved with Britain's [[nuclear weapon]]s programme codenamed [[Tube Alloys]]. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, ICI greatly expanded its activities in the [[pharmaceutic]] sector; cumulating in the formation of a dedicated subsidiary, ''ICI Pharmaceuticals'', in 1957.

During 1960, ICI's first outsider to serve as chairman, [[Paul Chambers (industrialist)|Paul Chambers]], was appointed. Chambers reorganised the company, but fell out of favour following an unsuccessful takeover bid of rival firm [[Courtaulds]]. Between 1968 and 1971, Peter Allen was chairman of ICI, during which time [[Viyella]] was purchased, the subsidiary [[Cleveland Potash Ltd]] was created, and profits dipped. Major moves in the 1970s included the acquisition of the American competitor Atlas Chemical Industries Inc. and the divestment of [[Imperial Metal Industries]]. By the late 1980s, ICI which had continued to acquire entities such as the Beatrice Chemical Division and Glidden Coatings & Resins, increasing competition and rising internal complexity were driving ICI towards major restructuring plans, including a [[demerger]].<ref name=harvard/>

Considerable changes at ICI came about during the 1990s, particularly in the aftermath of an unsuccessful acquisition attempt in 1991 by [[Heidelberg Materials UK|Hanson]] of the firm in what would have been the biggest takeover in British history. That same year, ICI sold its agricultural and merchandising operations of BritAg and Scottish Agricultural Industries to [[Norsk Hydro]]; it sold its [[nylon]] business to [[DuPont]] one year later. In 1993, the firm also de-merged its pharmaceutical bio-science businesses as [[Zeneca]]. During 1997, ICI's Australian subsidiary, [[Orica|ICI Australia]], was sold in exchange for £1&nbsp;billion. During 2008, ICI was acquired by [[AkzoNobel]] for £8&nbsp;billion;<ref name="mergerdone">{{cite news |title=Akzo Nobel ICI merger completed |date=2 January 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7168348.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=24 February 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520055113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7168348.stm |archive-date=20 May 2009 }}</ref> shortly thereafter, portions of ICI were sold off to [[Henkel]] while its remaining operations were integrated within AkzoNobel's existing organisation.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Akzo Nobel to Focus on Fast and Effective Integration in 2008 |date=7 January 2008 |url=https://www.akzonobel.com/news/pressreleases/2008/akzo_nobel_to_focus_on_fast_and_effective_integration_in_2008.aspx |publisher=[[Akzo Nobel|Akzo Nobel U.K.]] |access-date=13 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010311/https://www.akzonobel.com/news/pressreleases/2008/akzo_nobel_to_focus_on_fast_and_effective_integration_in_2008.aspx |archive-date=5 March 2016  }}</ref>

== History ==

=== Development of the business (1926–1944) ===

[[File:Catalyst - ICI magazine volumes 1.jpg|thumb|1930s volumes of ''ICI'' magazine]]

The company was founded in December 1926 from the merger of four companies: [[Brunner Mond]], [[Nobel Enterprises|Nobel Explosives]], the [[United Alkali Company]], and [[British Dyestuffs Corporation]].<ref name=history>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ici.com/History |title=ICI: History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017121139/http://www.ici.com/History |archive-date=17 October 2008 }}</ref> ICI established its [[Imperial Chemical House|head office]] at Millbank in London in 1928.<ref name=history/> Competing with [[DuPont]] and [[IG Farben]], the new company produced [[Chemical industry|chemicals]], explosives, [[fertiliser]]s, [[insecticide]]s, [[dyestuff]]s, [[non-ferrous]] metals, and paints.<ref name=history/> In its first year, [[revenue|turnover]] was £27&nbsp;million.<ref name=history/>

During the 1920s and 1930s, the company played a key role in the development of new chemical products, including the dyestuff [[phthalocyanine]] (1929), the acrylic plastic [[polymethyl methacrylate|Perspex]] (1932),<ref name=history/> [[Dulux]] paints (1932, co-developed with DuPont),<ref name=history/> [[polyethylene]] (1937),<ref name=history/> and [[polyethylene terephthalate]] fibre known as [[Terylene]] (1941).<ref name=history/> In 1940, ICI started [[British Nylon Spinners]] as a joint venture with [[Courtaulds]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.akzonobel.com/system/images/AkzoNobel_Historybook_LoRes_tcm9-8568.pdf |title=Tomorrow's Answers Today – The History of AkzoNobel since 1646 |publisher=Akzo Nobel International |page=235 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117134913/https://www.akzonobel.com/system/images/AkzoNobel_Historybook_LoRes_tcm9-8568.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2015  |access-date=13 November 2015 }}</ref><ref>The Times, 3 January 1940, p. 12.</ref>

ICI also owned the [[Sunbeam Cycles|Sunbeam motorcycle]] business, which had come with Nobel Industries, and continued to build motorcycles until 1937.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.classicglory.com/sunbeam.htm |title=Why the BSA badge? A brief history |website=Classicglory.com |date=6 May 1916 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516141358/http://www.classicglory.com/sunbeam.htm |archive-date=16 May 2012 }}</ref>

During the [[Second World War]], ICI was a major participant in Britain's war economy; its subsidiary [[Nobel Enterprises|ICI Nobel]] was involved in the production of munitions.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.linnean.org/news/2020/07/08/metal-and-memories-of-world-war-2 |title = Metal and memories of World War 2 |first = Glenn |last = Benson |publisher = The Linnean Societ |date = 8 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.solwaymilitarytrail.co.uk/trail-attractions/edingham-munitions-works/ |title = Edingham Munitions Works |website = solwaymilitarytrail.co.uk |access-date = 14 November 2024}}</ref> The company was involved with the United Kingdom's nuclear weapons programme codenamed [[Tube Alloys]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.atomicarchive.com/History/british/ |title=British Mission – History of the Atomic Age |website=atomicarchive.com |access-date=29 April 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908001924/http://www.atomicarchive.com/History/british/ |archive-date=8 September 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Gowing|1964|p=52}}

=== Postwar innovation (1945–1990) ===

[[File:ICI UK Works Map May 1955.png|thumb|Map showing Imperial Chemical Industries sales regions, offices and factories in the United Kingdom in May 1955]]
In the 1940s and 1950s, the company established its [[pharmaceutical]] business and developed a number of key products, including [[Proguanil|Paludrine]] (1940s, an anti-[[malaria]]l drug),<ref name=history/> [[halothane]] (1951, an [[Inhalational anesthetic|inhalational anaesthetic]] agent), [[propofol]] (1977, an [[General anesthetic|intravenous anaesthetic]] agent),<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Baker |first1=Max T. |last2=Naguib |first2=Mohamed |date=1 October 2005 |title=Propofol: The Challenges of Formulation |url=https://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1926210 |journal=Anesthesiology: The Journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists |language=en |volume=103|issue=4 |pages=860–876|doi=10.1097/00000542-200510000-00026|pmid=16192780|s2cid=20332274 |issn=0003-3022 |doi-access=free |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=25 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725191038/https://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/article.aspx?articleid=1926210 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Inderal]] (1965, a [[beta-blocker]]),<ref name=history/> [[tamoxifen]] (1978, a frequently used drug for breast cancer),<ref name="isbn0-471-89979-8">Sneader 2005, {{page needed|date=February 2025}}.</ref> and [[PEEK]] (1979, a high performance [[thermoplastic]]).<ref name=history/>

During the 1950s, ICI developed a material as [[Crimplene]], a thick [[polyester]] yarn that was used to make a fabric of the same name.<ref>Shishoo 2005, p. 49.</ref> The resulting cloth is heavy and wrinkle-resistant, and retains its shape well. The California-based fashion designer [[Edith Flagg]] was the first to import this fabric from Britain to the United States.<ref name=latimes65>{{cite news |first=Julie |last=Byrne |date=14 October 1965 |title=Clotheshorse in the Jet Age |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-clotheshorse-in-th/128225670/ |pages=73, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-clotheshorse-in-th/128225795/ 89] |access-date=14 July 2023 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

During 1960, [[Paul Chambers (industrialist)|Paul Chambers]] became the first chairman appointed from outside the company.<ref name="ODNB Chambers">{{Cite ODNB |first1=J. P. |last1=Strudwick |last2=Mark Pottle |editor1-first=Mark |editor1-last=Pottle |title=Chambers, Sir (Stanley) Paul (1904–1981) |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/30916 |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/30916 |access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>
Chambers employed the consultancy firm [[McKinsey & Company|McKinsey]] to help with reorganising the company.<ref name="ODNB Chambers"/> Export sales doubled during his eight-year tenure export, however, Chambers' reputation was severely damaged by a failed takeover bid for [[Courtaulds]] in 1961–1962.<ref name="ODNB Chambers"/><ref>{{cite news |periodical=Globe and Mail |location=Toronto, Canada |date=17 March 1962 |page=29 |title=God Thanked by Courtaulds For ICI Flop}}</ref>

On 1 August 1962, ICI's operations in [[Burma]] were [[nationalisation|nationalised]] following a [[Burmese Way to Socialism|military coup in the country]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=The State of Myanmar |url=https://archive.org/details/stateinmyanmar0000tayl |url-access=registration |first=Robert |last=Taylor |year=2009 |page=[https://archive.org/details/stateinmyanmar0000tayl/page/297 297] |publisher=University of Hawaii Press |isbn=9780824833626 }}</ref>

In 1964, ICI acquired British Nylon Spinners (BNS), the company it had jointly set up in 1940 with Courtaulds. ICI surrendered its 37.5 per cent holding in Courtaulds and paid Courtaulds £2&nbsp;million a year for five years, "to take account of the future development expenditure of Courtaulds in the nylon field." In return, Courtaulds transferred to ICI their 50 per cent holding in BNS.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Keesing's Record of World Events (formerly Keesing's Contemporary Archives) |volume=10 |date=July 1964 |location=United Kingdom |page=20162}}</ref>

Early pesticide development under ICI Plant Protection Division, with its plant at [[Yalding]], Kent, research station at [[Jealott's Hill]] and HQ at [[Fernhurst Research Station]] included [[paraquat]] (1962, a [[herbicide]]),<ref name=history/> the insecticides [[pirimiphos-methyl]] in 1967 and [[pirimicarb]] in 1970, [[brodifacoum]] (a [[rodenticide]]) was developed in 1974; in the late 1970s, ICI was involved in the early development of synthetic [[pyrethroid]] insecticides such as [[lambda-cyhalothrin]].<ref>{{cite patent |country=GB |number=2085000 |status=withdrawn |title=An improved process for the preparation of certain cyclopropane pyrethroid intermediates having a high cis-content |pubdate=1982-04-21 |fdate= |pridate=1980-10-08 |inventor= |invent1=Crosby, John |assign1=ICI plc}}</ref>

Peter Allen was appointed chairman between 1968 and 1971.<ref name="ODNB Allen">{{Cite ODNB |first=Martin |last=Adeney |title=Allen, Sir Peter Christopher (1905–1993)' |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/51414 |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/51414  |access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref> He presided over the purchase of [[Viyella]].<ref name="ODNB Allen"/> Profits shrank under his tenure.<ref name="ODNB Allen"/> During his tenure, ICI created the wholly owned subsidiary [[Cleveland Potash Ltd]], for the construction of [[Boulby Mine]] in Redcar and Cleveland, North Yorkshire. The first shaft was dug in 1968, with full production from 1976. ICI jointly owned the mine with Anglo American, and then with De Beers, before complete ownership was transferred to [[Israel Chemicals|Israel Chemicals Ltd]] in 2002.<ref name="DPMG">[http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/boulby/ "Boulby, United Kingdom"], Mining-technology.com, Progressive Digital Media Group PLC. Retrieved 11 November 2014</ref>
[[File:Williams FW10 front-left 2017 Williams Conference Centre.jpg|thumb|ICI sponsored [[Williams Racing]] from 1983 to 1990.]]
Between 1971 and 1975, Jack Callard held the position of chairman at the firm.<ref name="ODNB Callard">{{Cite ODNB |first=Martin |last=Adeney |title=Callard, Sir (Eric) John (1913–1998) |year=2004 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/70879 |url=http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/70879 |access-date=24 August 2014}}</ref> Amid Callard's tenure, company profits almost doubled between 1972 and 1974 while ICI became Britain's largest exporter.<ref name="ODNB Callard"/> In 1971, the company acquired Atlas Chemical Industries Inc., a major American competitor.<ref name=history/><ref>Guston 2010, p. 173.</ref> In 1977, [[Imperial Metal Industries]] was divested as an independent quoted company.<ref name="Owen347">Owen 2000, p. 347.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imiplc.com/who-we-are/engineering-heritage?page=2 |title = Our Engineering Heritage |website = imiplc.com |access-date = 14 November 2024}}</ref>

Between 1982 and 1987, the company was headed by the charismatic [[John Harvey-Jones]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2008/01/12/from-bullying-to-the-top-of-industry-91466-20342758/ |title=From bullying to the top of industry |work=icWales |date=12 January 2008 |access-date=15 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118035703/http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/business-in-wales/business-news/2008/01/12/from-bullying-to-the-top-of-industry-91466-20342758/ |archive-date=18 January 2008 }}</ref> In 1985, ICI acquired the Beatrice Chemical Division; during the following year, it also bought Glidden Coatings & Resins, a leading [[paint]]s business.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DC113FF93AA35750C0A961948260 |title=New Chairman of ICI praises planned agenda |work=The New York Times |date=9 March 1987 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218161756/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE3DC113FF93AA35750C0A961948260 |archive-date=18 February 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.joc.com/article/ici-agrees-to-acquire-glidden-from-hanson-5626159 |title = ICI AGREES TO ACQUIRE GLIDDEN FROM HANSON |publisher = Journal of Commerce |date = 17 August 1986}}</ref>

=== Reorganisation of the business (1991–2007) ===
By the early 1990s, plans were carried out to demerge the company, as a result of increasing competition and internal complexity that caused heavy retrenchment and slowing innovation.<ref name=harvard>{{Cite journal| last1 = Owen| first1 = Geoffrey| last2 = Harrison| first2 = Trevor| title = Why ICI Chose to Demerge| journal = Harvard Business Review| access-date = 6 November 2016| date = 1 March 1995| url = https://hbr.org/1995/03/why-ici-chose-to-demerge| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161107011051/https://hbr.org/1995/03/why-ici-chose-to-demerge| archive-date = 7 November 2016| df = dmy-all}}</ref> In 1991, ICI sold the agricultural and merchandising operations of [[BritAg]] and [[Scottish Agricultural Industries]] to [[Norsk Hydro]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.alacrastore.com/storecontent/Thomson_M&A/Hydro_Fertilizers_Norsk_Hydro_acquires_Britag_Industries_Ltd_ICI_PLC_from_Akzo_Nobel_NV-211311040 |title=Norsk Hydro acquires Britag Industries |publisher=Alacrastore.com |date=5 September 1991 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001002431/https://www.alacrastore.com/ |archive-date=1 October 2012 }}</ref> It also divested its [[soda ash]] products arm to [[Brunner Mond]], ending an association with the trade that had existed since the company's inception, one that had been inherited from the original Brunner, Mond & Co. Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ici.com/History |title=ICI: History |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081017121139/http://www.ici.com/History |archive-date=17 October 2008 }}</ref>

During mid 1991, ICI was subject to an attempted acquisition [[Heidelberg Materials UK|Hanson]]; by this point, ICI was commonly being viewed by investors as having been in decline and thus its valuation was depressed, making it more vulnerable to such takeover attempt.<ref name=obituary/><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/aug/13/5 |title = The rise and fall of ICI |work = The Guardian |first = Graeme |last = Wearden |date = 13 August 2007}}</ref> Hanson had acquired a 2.8 per cent stake in the company as part of its [[hostile takeover]] attempt, which ICI's management team chose to oppose.<ref>{{cite news |last=Prokesch |first=Steven |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE5DC1E3DF93BA25756C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |title=Often-ravenous Hanson takes a taste of ICI |work=The New York Times |date=18 May 1991 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218155044/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE5DC1E3DF93BA25756C0A967958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all |archive-date=18 February 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.csmonitor.com/1991/0604/04092.html |title = Britain's ICI, Hanson Gird for Buyout War |first = Alexander |last = MacLeod |publisher = The Christian Science Monitor |date = 4 June 1991}}</ref> The envisioned acquisition became hotly contested and controversial, partially as it would have been the biggest takeover in British history at that point.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2167568/ |title = ICI: Hanson's Choice |website = imdb.com |date = 29 July 1991}}</ref> In October 1991, Hanson opted to not proceed with the deal.<ref name=obituary>{{cite web |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article502120.ece?token=null&offset=0&page=1 |title=Obituary: Lord Hanson |work=The Times}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref name=harvard/>

In 1992, the company sold its nylon business to [[DuPont]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Capitalism |url=http://capitalism.columbia.edu/files/ccs/Geoffrey%20Owen.pdf |publisher=Columbia University |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221002117/http://capitalism.columbia.edu/files/ccs/Geoffrey%20Owen.pdf |archive-date=21 December 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/04/23/DuPont-and-Imperial-Chemical-Industries-to-acquire-businesses/7704704001600/ |title = DuPont and Imperial Chemical Industries to acquire businesses |website = upi.com |date = 23 April 1992}}</ref> During 1993, the company de-merged its pharmaceutical bio-science businesses: pharmaceuticals, [[agrochemicals]], specialities, [[seed]]s and [[Biology|biological]] products were all transferred into a new and independent company called [[Zeneca]].<ref name=harvard /> Zeneca subsequently merged with [[Astra AB]] to form [[AstraZeneca]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Ipsen |first=Erik |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/1993/02/25/ici_.php |title=Will bad timing spoil ICI's plan to split in two? |work=International Herald Tribune |date=25 February 1993 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217064643/http://www.iht.com/articles/1993/02/25/ici_.php |archive-date=17 February 2009}}</ref>

In 1994, Charles Miller Smith was appointed CEO of ICI, one of the few times that an external figure had been appointed to lead the firm, Miller-Smith having previously been a director at [[Unilever]]. Shortly afterwards, the company acquired a number of former Unilever businesses in an attempt to move away from its historical reliance on [[commodity]] chemicals. During 1995, ICI acquired the American paint companies ''Devoe Paints'',<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.pcimag.com/articles/83725-company-news-ici-paints-of-north-america |title = ICI Paints of North America |publisher = PCI Magazine |access-date = 5 October 2021 |archive-date = 5 October 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211005130626/https://www.pcimag.com/articles/83725-company-news-ici-paints-of-north-america |url-status = live}}</ref> ''Fuller-O'Brien Paints''<ref>{{cite news |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/04/business/international-briefs-fuller-o-brien-is-sold.html |title = INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS; Fuller-O'Brien Is Sold - The New York Times |website = [[The New York Times]] |date = 4 July 1995}}</ref> and ''Grow Group''.<ref>{{Cite news |issn = 0362-4331 |title = Imperial Acquires Grow Group As It Outbids Sherwin-Williams |work = The New York Times |access-date = 30 August 2018 |date = 23 May 1995 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/23/business/imperial-acquires-grow-group-as-it-outbids-sherwin-williams.html |archive-date = 12 March 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220312204209/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/05/23/business/imperial-acquires-grow-group-as-it-outbids-sherwin-williams.html |url-status = live}}</ref> In 1997, ICI acquired National Starch & Chemical, [[Quest International]], Unichema, and Crosfield, the [[speciality chemicals]] businesses of [[Unilever]] in exchange for $8&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-08-fi-56568-story.html |title = Unilever to Sell Chemical Businesses for $8 Billion |work = Los Angeles Times |date = 8 May 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19716641.html |title=National Starch sold to ICI |date=1 June 1997 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022221221/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-19716641.html |archive-date=22 October 2012 }}</ref> This step was part of a strategy to move away from cyclical bulk chemicals and to progress up the value chain to become a higher growth, higher margin business.<ref name=history/> Later that same year, it went on to buy [[Rutz & Huber]], a Swiss paints business.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n9647314 |title=ICI buys Swiss Paints Group |website = findarticles.com}}{{Dead link |date=September 2010}}</ref>

Having taken on some £4&nbsp;billion of debt to finance these acquisitions, the company was soon compelled to sell off its commodity chemicals businesses:
* Disposals of bulk chemicals businesses at that time included the sale of its Australian subsidiary, [[Orica|ICI Australia]], for £1&nbsp;billion in 1997,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E4DD1439F93AA35756C0A961958260 |title=ICI Australia shares drop sharply |work=The New York Times |date=9 May 1997 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218152519/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E07E4DD1439F93AA35756C0A961958260 |archive-date=18 February 2009  }}</ref> and of its [[polyester]] chemicals business to [[DuPont]] for $3&nbsp;billion also in 1997.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB868834167313161000 |title=DuPont to Pay $3 Billion To Purchase ICI Units |publisher = Wall Street Journal |first1 = Robert |last1 = Tomsho |first2 = Robert |last2 = Frank |date = 14 July 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-15-fi-12913-story.html |title = DuPont to Buy Two Units From British Firm |work = Los Angeles Times |date = 15 July 1997}}</ref>
* In 1998, it bought [[Acheson Industries|Acheson Industries Inc.]], an electronic chemicals business.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/9186096-1.html |title=ICI buys Acheson for $560&nbsp;million in move to strengthen specialties |publisher=Allbusiness.com |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106210744/http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/company-structures/9186096-1.html |archive-date=6 January 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.icis.com/Articles/1998/04/06/57532/ici+sells+crosfield+and+buys+acheson+in+portfolio+reshuffle.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130914180505/http://www.icis.com/Articles/1998/04/06/57532/ici+sells+crosfield+and+buys+acheson+in+portfolio+reshuffle.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 September 2013 |title=ICI sells Crosfield and buys Acheson in portfolio reshuffle |access-date=14 September 2013 |website = icis.com}}</ref>
* In 2000, ICI sold its diisocyanate, advanced materials, and speciality chemicals businesses on [[Teesside]] and worldwide (including plants at [[Rozenburg]] in the Netherlands, and South Africa, [[Malaysia]] and [[Taiwan]]), and Tioxide, its [[titanium dioxide]] subsidiary, to [[Huntsman Corporation]] for £1.7&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.adhesivesandsealants.com/doc/huntsman-to-acquire-four-major-businesses-fro-0001 |title = HUNTSMAN TO ACQUIRE FOUR MAJOR BUSINESSES FROM IMPERIAL CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES (ICI) |website = adhesivesandsealants.com |date = 29 October 1999}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Milner |first=Mark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/apr/15/11 |title=Bayer and ICI sell-offs to boost balance sheets |work=The Guardian |date=15 April 1999 |access-date=27 September 2010 |location=London, UK |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507184655/http://www.theguardian.com/business/1999/apr/15/11 |archive-date=7 May 2014 }}</ref> It also sold the last of its industrial chemicals businesses to [[Ineos]] for £325&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7123635.ici-325m-industrial-chemicals-sell-off/ |title = ICI in £325m industrial chemicals sell-off |website = thenorthernecho.co.uk |date = 6 December 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230132155/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7123635.ici-325m-industrial-chemicals-sell-off/ |archive-date=30 December 2021 }}</ref>
* In 2002, the ICI wholly transferred ownership of [[Boulby Mine]] to Israel Chemicals Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icl-uk.uk/history-2/ |title=History |website=The World's Only Polyhalite Mine {{!}} ICL Boulby |language=en-GB |access-date=27 August 2019 |archive-date=27 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827220132/http://www.icl-uk.uk/history-2/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
* In 2006, the Company sold Quest International, its [[Flavoring|flavour]]s and fragrances business, to [[Givaudan]], for £1.2&nbsp;billion<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6171816.stm |title=ICI sells flavours business Quest |work=BBC News |date=22 November 2006 |access-date=27 November 2010}}</ref> and Uniqema, its oleochemical business, to [[Croda International]], for £410&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marriner |first=Cosima |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2942240/ICI-to-slash-debts-with-andpound410m-Uniqema-sale.html |title=ICI to slash debts with £410m Uniqema sale |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=30 June 2006 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218154021/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/2942240/ICI-to-slash-debts-with-andpound410m-Uniqema-sale.html |archive-date=18 February 2009  }}</ref>

Having sold much of its historically profitable commodities businesses, and many of the new speciality businesses which it had failed to integrate, the company consisted mainly of the Dulux paints business, which found itself the subject of a takeover by AkzoNobel in 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2017/may/08/dulux-akzo-nobel-bid-us-ppg-centrica|title=Dulux owner Akzo Nobel has shown its colours by rebuffing takeover bids | first=Nils |last=Pratley | newspaper=The Guardian|date=9 May 2017|access-date=9 May 2025}}</ref>

=== Takeover by AkzoNobel ===

[[File:Syngenta Chemical Plant - geograph.org.uk - 95239.jpg|thumb|right|A former ICI plant in [[Huddersfield]], West Yorkshire, now owned by [[Syngenta]].]]

In June 2007, the Dutch firm [[AkzoNobel]] (owner of Crown Berger paints) bid £7.2&nbsp;billion (€10.66&nbsp;billion or $14.5&nbsp;billion) for ICI. An area of concern about a potential deal was ICI's British [[pension fund]], which had a deficit of almost £700 million and future liabilities of more than £9 billion at the time.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dutch poised to clinch £8bn ICI takeover |date=5 August 2007 |work=The Times |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article2198016.ece |access-date=5 January 2008 |location=London |first=Louise |last=Armitstead |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612091313/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article2198016.ece |archive-date=12 June 2011 }}</ref> Regulatory issues in the UK and other markets where [[Dulux]] and Crown Paints brands each have significant market share were also a cause for concern for the boards of ICI and AkzoNobel. In the UK, any combined operation without [[divestment]]s would have seen AkzoNobel have a 54 per cent market share in the paint market.<ref name='bbcnews'>{{cite news |title=ICI snubs second offer from Akzo |date=30 July 2007 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6921779.stm |access-date=30 July 2007}}</ref> The initial bid was rejected by the ICI board and the majority of shareholders.<ref>{{cite news |title=ICI rejects £7.2bn bid approach |date=18 June 2007 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6762607.stm |access-date=5 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202154935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6762607.stm |archive-date=2 February 2008 }}</ref> However, a subsequent bid for £8&nbsp;billion (€11.82&nbsp;billion) was accepted by ICI in August 2007, pending approval by [[Regulatory agency|regulator]]s.<ref name='bbcnews2'>{{cite news |title=ICI agrees to be bought by Akzo |date=13 August 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6943609.stm |work=BBC News |access-date=13 August 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217003254/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6943609.stm |archive-date=17 February 2009 }}</ref>

On 2 January 2008, completion of the takeover of ICI plc by AkzoNobel was announced.<ref name="mergerdone"/> Shareholders of ICI received either £6.70 in cash or AkzoNobel loan notes to the value of £6.70 per one nominal ICI share. The adhesives business of ICI was transferred to [[Henkel]] as a result of the deal,<ref>{{cite news |title=Henkel to pay $5.5 bln for ICI units: Akzo |date=6 August 2007 |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/partiesNews/idUKWLB020220070806 |access-date=5 January 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080108215846/http://uk.reuters.com/article/partiesNews/idUKWLB020220070806 |archive-date=8 January 2008 }}</ref> while AkzoNobel agreed to sell its Crown Paints subsidiary to satisfy the concerns of the [[European Commissioner for Competition]].<ref name='bbcnews3'>{{cite news |title=Akzo Nobel to sell Crown paints |date=14 December 2007 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7143950.stm |access-date=5 January 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216120801/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7143950.stm |archive-date=16 December 2007 }}</ref> The areas of concern regarding ICI's British pension scheme were addressed by ICI and AkzoNobel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.icipensionfund.org.uk/ |title=ICI Pension Fund Web Site |publisher=Icipensionfund.org.uk |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905151237/http://www.icipensionfund.org.uk/ |archive-date=5 September 2012 }}</ref>

== Operations ==

ICI operated a number of chemical sites around the world.
In the UK, the main plants were as follows:
* [[Billingham Manufacturing Plant]] (in [[Stockton-on-Tees]]) and [[Wilton, Redcar and Cleveland|Wilton]] (in present-day [[Redcar and Cleveland]]): ICI used the Billingham site to manufacture [[fertiliser]]s in the 1920s and went on to produce plastics at Billingham in 1934. During [[World War II]] it manufactured [[Synthonia]], a [[Organic compound#Synthetic compounds|synthetic]] [[ammonia]] for explosives.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/chemical-industry/background.shtml |title=The white heat of new technology |publisher=BBC |date=14 September 1949 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121113175929/http://www.bbc.co.uk/nationonfilm/topics/chemical-industry/background.shtml |archive-date=13 November 2012  }}</ref> The Wilton R&D site was built to support the plastics division with R&D and chemical engineering facilities. The ICI Billingham Division was split into the ICI Heavy Organic Chemicals Division and ICI Agricultural Division in the 1960s. From 1971 to 1988 ICI Physics and Radioisotopes Section (later known as Tracerco) operated a small [[General Atomics]] [[TRIGA]] Mark I [[nuclear reactor]] at its Billingham factory for the production of radioisotopes used in the manufacture of flow and level instruments, among other products.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/billingham/History_of_Billingham.asp |title=History of Billingham |publisher=Thisisstockton.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229124955/http://www.thisisstockton.co.uk/billingham/History_of_Billingham.asp |archive-date=29 February 2012  }}</ref> The Agricultural Division was noted for the development of the world's largest bioreactor at the time – the 1.5 million litre Pruteen Reactor, used for the cultivation of animal feed. Engineering models of components and the builder's model of the complete plant are now in the collection of the [[Science Museum, London|Science Museum]] [https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co61257/models-of-the-ici-pruteen-plant-at-billingham-and-model-of-the-site-model-representations-pruteen-manufacturing-plants-proteins London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119145302/https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co61257/models-of-the-ici-pruteen-plant-at-billingham-and-model-of-the-site-model-representations-pruteen-manufacturing-plants-proteins |date=19 November 2021 }}. Pruteen had limited economic success but was followed by the much more successful development of [[Quorn]].
* [[Blackley]] (in [[Manchester]]) and Huddersfield: ICI used the sites to manufacture [[dyestuff]]s. The dye business, known as the ICI Dyestuffs Division in the 1960s, went through several reorganisations. Huddersfield was tied in with Wilton with the production of nitrobenzene and nitrotoluene. Huddersfield also produced insecticides. (Syngenta still manufacture insecticides at Huddersfield). Proxel [[Biocide]] was made at Huddersfield from the 80s onwards. Additives also made at Huddersield.  Huddersfield became Zeneca then AstraZeneca, in 2004 Huddersfield was Syngenta, Avecia, Arch and Lubrizol running what were all ICI plants at one time.    Through the years it was combined with other [[speciality chemicals]] businesses and became Organics Division. Then became ICI Colours and Fine Chemicals and then ICI Specialties.<ref>{{cite web |work=ColorantsHistory.Org |url=http://www.colorantshistory.org/BritishDyestuffs.html |title=British Dyestuffs Corporation and ICI |date=17 March 2006 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229171829/http://www.colorantshistory.org/BritishDyestuffs.html |archive-date=29 February 2012  }}</ref>
* [[Buxton]] (in [[Derbyshire]]): ICI Lime Division was formed in 1927 with the acquisition of [[Buxton lime industry|Buxton Lime Firms]]. Quarrying started at [[Tunstead Quarry|Tunstead]] in 1929 and it became the largest limestone quarry in the UK. In 1992 ICI sold its Lime Division to [[Anglo American plc|Anglo American]] as part of its UK [[Tarmac Group|Tarmac]] operation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History • Buxton Lime |url=https://buxtonlime.com/about/history/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Buxton Lime |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=BLF Buxton Lime Firms |url=http://www.derbyshireheritage.co.uk/Menu/Archaeology/Limekilns/Buxton-Lime-Firms.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404174506/https://www.derbyshireheritage.co.uk/Menu/Archaeology/Limekilns/Buxton-Lime-Firms.php |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=22 February 2020 |website=www.derbyshireheritage.co.uk}}</ref>
* [[Runcorn]] (in [[Cheshire]]): ICI operated a number of separate sites within the Runcorn area, including the Castner-Kellner site, where ICI manufactured [[chlorine]] and [[sodium hydroxide]] (caustic soda).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/248210.stm |title=ICI cuts 1,000 jobs |work=BBC News |date=4 January 1999 |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021202193837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/the_company_file/248210.stm |archive-date=2 December 2002  }}</ref> Adjacent to the Castner-Kellner site was Rocksavage works, where a variety of chemicals based on chlorine products were manufactured, including Chloromethanes, Arklone dry cleaning fluid, Trichloethylene degreasing fluid and the Arcton range of CFCs. Also on that site were PVC manufacture and HF (Hydrogen fluoride) manufacture. At Runcorn Heath Research Laboratories, technical support, research and development for Mond Division products was carried out, and the support sections included chemical plan design and engineering sections.  Just to the north of Runcorn, on an island between the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey could be found the Wigg Works, which had been erected originally for producing poison gas in wartime. In Widnes could also be found several factories producing weedkillers and other products. For many years it was known as ICI Mond Division but later became part of the ICI Chemicals and Polymers Division. The Runcorn site was also responsible for the development of the HiGEE and Spinning Disc Reactor concepts. These were originated by Professor Colin Ramshaw and led to the concept of [[Micro process engineering|Process Intensification]]; research into these novel technologies is now being pursued by the Process Intensification Group at [[Newcastle University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ccdcindia.com/index2.php?act=service&sub=1 |title=Process Intensification |publisher=Ccdcindia.com |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220011843/http://www.ccdcindia.com/index2.php?act=service&sub=1 |archive-date=20 February 2012  }}</ref>
* Winnington and Wallerscote (in [[Northwich]], Cheshire): It was here that ICI manufactured [[sodium carbonate]] (soda ash) and its various by-products such as [[sodium bicarbonate]] (bicarbonate of soda), and [[sodium sesquicarbonate]]. The Winnington site, built in 1873 by the entrepreneurs [[John Tomlinson Brunner]] and [[Ludwig Mond]], was also the base for the former company Brunner, Mond & Co. Ltd. and, after the merger which created ICI, the powerful and influential Alkali Division. It was at the [[Winnington Laboratory|laboratories]] on this site that [[polythene]] was discovered by accident in 1933 during experiments into high pressure reactions.<ref>Dick 1973, {{page needed|date=February 2025}}.</ref> Wallerscote was built in 1926, its construction delayed by the First World War, and became one of the largest factories devoted to a single product (soda ash) in the world.<ref>{{Cite book |title=ICI Magazine, ''Kynoch Press'' |year=1963}}</ref> However, the decreasing importance of the soda ash trade to ICI in favour of newer products such as paints and plastics, meant that in 1984 the Wallerscote site was closed, and thereafter mostly demolished. The laboratory where polythene was discovered was sold off and the building became home to a variety of businesses including a go-kart track and paintballing, and the Winnington Works were divested to the newly formed company, [[Brunner Mond]], during 1991. It was again sold in 2006, to Tata (an Indian-based company) and in 2011 was rebranded as Tata Chemicals Europe. The Winnington plant closed in February 2014, with the last shift on 2 February bringing to a close 140 years of soda ash production in this Northwich site.{{citation needed |date=April 2014}}
* [[Ardeer, Scotland|Ardeer]] (in [[Stevenston]], Ayrshire): ICI Nobel used the site to manufacture [[dynamite]] and other explosives and [[nitrocellulose]]-based products. For a time, the site also produced nylon and [[nitric acid]]. [[Nobel Enterprises]] was sold in 2002 to [[Inabata & Co., Ltd.|Inabata]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-977112/Japanese-firm-buys-ICI-s.html |title=Japanese firm buys ICI's nitrocellulose business |work=Chemical Week |date=22 January 2003}}</ref>
*[[Penrhyndeudraeth]] ([[Gwynedd]], North Wales): [[Gwaith Powdwr|Cooke's Works]], part of ICI's Nobel's Explosives Company division produced [[nitroglycerin]]e-based explosives up until the site's closure in 1995. 
* [[Slough]] (in [[Berkshire]]): Headquarters of ICI Paints Division.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-11517-review-sparks-fears-for-future-of-ici-paints-site/ |title=Review sparks fears for future of ICI Paints site |work=Maidenhead Advertiser |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722114056/http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/news/article-11517-review-sparks-fears-for-future-of-ici-paints-site/ |archive-date=22 July 2011 }}</ref>
* Stowmarket : Plant Manufacturing White, and off white Paints
* Prudhoe - Plant Manufacturing Hammerite Paints
* Birmingham: Plant Manufacturing Packaging Coatings for food and beverage cans
* [[Welwyn Garden City]] (in [[Hertfordshire]]): Headquarters of ICI Plastics Division until the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geton-thenet.co.uk/index.php/Hertfordshire-Towns/Welwyn-Garden-City-a-town-in-Hertfordshire.html |title=Welwyn Garden City, a town in Hertfordshire |publisher=Geton-thenet.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226205628/http://geton-thenet.co.uk/index.php/Hertfordshire-Towns/Welwyn-Garden-City-a-town-in-Hertfordshire.html |archive-date=26 February 2012  }}</ref>

=== Argentina ===
An ICI subsidiary called Duperial operated in Argentine from 1928 to 1995, when it was renamed ICI.

Established in the city of [[San Lorenzo, Santa Fe]],
it operates an integrated production site with commercial offices in [[Buenos Aires]]. Since 2009 it has made [[sulphuric acid]] with ISO certification under the company name Akzo Nobel Functional Chemicals S.A.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

It also had an operation at [[Palmira, Mendoza]],  for its Wine Chemicals Division, that manufactured [[tartaric acid]], wine alcohol and [[grapeseed oil]] from natural raw material coming from the wine industry in the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan. This operation held 10% world market share for tartaric acid. It was sold in 2008 and currently operates as Derivados Vínicos S.A. (DERVINSA).<ref>{{Cite web|title=DERVINSA – DERIVADOS VÍNICOS S.A.|url=http://dervinsa.com.ar/english/about-us.php|access-date=19 October 2020|website=dervinsa.com.ar|archive-date=19 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019164251/http://dervinsa.com.ar/english/about-us.php|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Australia ===
The subsidiary ICI Australia Ltd established the [[Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary|Dry Creek Saltfields]] at [[Dry Creek, South Australia|Dry Creek]] north of [[Adelaide]], South Australia, in 1940, with an associated [[soda ash]] plant at nearby [[Osborne, South Australia|Osborne]]. In 1989, these operations were sold to [[Penrice Soda Products]].<ref>{{citation |last=Hough |first=J.K. |url=http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/93803/mj50_salt_production.pdf |title=Salt production in South Australia |work=MESA Journal |volume=50 |date=September 2008 |access-date=8 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924073548/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/93803/mj50_salt_production.pdf |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref>

An ICI plant was built at [[Botany Bay]] in [[New South Wales]] in the 1940s and was part of the [[Orica]] demerger in 1997.<ref name=SMH>{{cite web |issn=0312-6315 |first1=Jano |last1=Gibson |first2=John |last2=Huxley |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Botany-pollution-fears-grow/2005/03/31/1111862533886.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |title=Botany pollution fears grow |date=1 April 2005 |access-date=24 July 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106140837/http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Botany-pollution-fears-grow/2005/03/31/1111862533886.html |archive-date=6 November 2012 }}</ref> This plant once manufactured paints, plastics and industrial chemicals such as [[solvent]]s. It had been detirmined to be the source of the [[Botany Bay Groundwater Plume]] contamination of a local [[aquifer]].<ref name=SMH/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/tarabrown/259409/a-deadly-legacy |work=[[60 minutes]] |title=Transcript for A deadly legacy |date=2006 |access-date=24 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100324115502/http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/tarabrown/259409/a-deadly-legacy |archive-date=24 March 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Bangladesh ===
In 1968 a subsidiary of Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was established in then-[[East Pakistan]].
After [[Bangladesh]] gained independence in 1971, the company was incorporated on 24 January 1973<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bangladeshdir.com/business-finance/companies/aci-limited/ |title=ACI Limited |access-date=1 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101064037/http://www.bangladeshdir.com/business-finance/companies/aci-limited/ |archive-date=1 January 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as ICI Bangladesh Manufacturers Limited and also as Public Limited Company. The company divested its investment in Bangladesh and was renamed as [[ACI Limited|Advanced Chemical Industries Limited]] (ACI Limited) on 5 May 1992. The company sold its insect control, air care and toilet care brands to [[S. C. Johnson & Son|SC Johnson & Son]] in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/business/aci-sells-household-brands-us-firm-tk-25054cr-79282|title=ACI sells household brands to US firm for Tk 250.54cr|date=26 April 2015|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030000448/http://www.thedailystar.net/business/aci-sells-household-brands-us-firm-tk-25054cr-79282|url-status=live}}</ref> Currently Advanced Chemical Industries (ACI) Limited is one of the largest conglomerates in Bangladesh with a multinational heritage operating across the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/business/commercial-papers-set-become-hot-cakes-aci-73995|title=Commercial papers set to become hot cakes: ACI|date=27 March 2015|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=29 October 2016|archive-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030000707/http://www.thedailystar.net/business/commercial-papers-set-become-hot-cakes-aci-73995|url-status=live}}</ref> The company operates through three reporting divisions: Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Brands and Agribusiness.<ref>{{cite news |title=A night for corporate stars |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2012/thedailystar_dhl_business_awards/02/DHL%20Business%20Award.htm |work=Bangladesh Business Awards |publisher=The Daily Star |access-date=2 January 2013 |archive-date=22 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822233642/http://archive.thedailystar.net/suppliments/2012/thedailystar_dhl_business_awards/02/DHL%20Business%20Award.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Sri Lanka ===
ICI maintained offices in Colombo importing and supplying chemicals for manufacturers in Ceylon. In 1964, following import restrictions that allowed only locally owned subsidiaries of multinational companies to gain import licenses, [[CIC Holdings|Chemical Industries (Colombo) Limited]] was formed as an ICI subsidiary with 49% ICI ownership and remaining held public.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sirimanna |first1=Bandula |title=CIC looks for new name |url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/090802/FinancialTimes/ft300.html |access-date=20 January 2022 |work=[[Daily FT]] |publisher=[[Wijeya Newspapers]] |date=2 August 2009}}</ref>

=== New Zealand ===
The subsidiary ICI New Zealand provided substantial quantities of chemical products – including swimming pool chemicals, commercial healthcare products, herbicides and pesticides for use within [[New Zealand]] and the neighbouring [[Pacific Islands]].

A [[Structure fire|fire]] at the ICI New Zealand store in [[Mount Wellington, New Zealand|Mount Wellington]], [[Auckland]], on 21 December 1984, killed an ICI employee and caused major health concerns. Over 200 firefighters were exposed to toxic smoke and effluents during the firefighting efforts. Six firefighters retired for medical reasons as a result of the fire. This incident was a major event in the history of the [[New Zealand Fire Service]] and subject to a formal investigation, led by future [[Chief Justice of New Zealand|Chief Justice]] [[Sian Elias]]. The fire was a trigger for major reforms of the service; direct consequences included improved protective clothing for firefighters, a standard safety protocol for major incidents, the introduction of dedicated fireground safety officers, and changes to occupational health regulations.<ref name=NZFIRE>{{cite web |first1=Sian |last1=Elias |first2=D R |last2=Bandaranayake |first3=I R |last3=Edwards |first4=W I |last4=Glass |url=http://www.moh.govt.nz/notebook/nbbooks.nsf/0/6783D47AF1CAD2D14C2565D7000DE2F7/$file/The+health+consequences+of+the+ICI+fire.pdf |work=New Zealand Ministry of Health |title=The Health Consequences of the ICI Fire |date=1 January 1990 |access-date=20 October 2018 |archive-date=21 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181021151615/http://www.moh.govt.nz/notebook/nbbooks.nsf/0/6783D47AF1CAD2D14C2565D7000DE2F7/$file/The+health+consequences+of+the+ICI+fire.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url = https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/144078339703300308?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.429 |title = Accounting for the ICI fire: partial connections between lay and expert knowledge |first1 = Kevin |last1 = Dew |first2 = Mike |last2 = Lloyd |volume = 33 |issue = 3 |journal = The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Sociology |date = 1997 |pages = 394–402|doi = 10.1177/144078339703300308 }}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Companies}}
* [[Imperial Chemical House]]
* [[IMI plc]] (formerly Imperial Metal Industries)
* [[Pharmaceutical industry in the United Kingdom]]

== References ==
===Citations===
{{Reflist|33em}}

===Bibliography===
* {{Cite book |title=A Hundred Years of Alkali in Cheshire |first=W.F.L. |last=Dick |location=Birmingham, UK |year=1973}}
* {{cite book |first=Geoffrey |last=Owen |title=From Empire to Europe: The Decline and Revival of British Industry Since the Second World War |year=2000 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=978-0-00-638750-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Gowing |first=Margaret |author-link=Margaret Gowing |title=Britain and Atomic Energy 1939–1945 |publisher=Macmillan |year=1964 |location=London, UK |oclc=3195209 }}
* {{Cite book |last=Guston |first=David H. |title=Encyclopedia of Nanoscience and Society, Volume II |publisher=SAGE Publications |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-4522-6617-6 |location=Thousand Oaks, California |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Sneader |first=Walter |title=Drug discovery: a history |publisher=Wiley |year=2005 |isbn=0-471-89979-8}}
* {{cite book |last1=Shishoo |first1=Roshan |title=Textiles in Sport |date=29 August 2005 |publisher=Elsevier |isbn=1845690885 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jaCjAgAAQBAJ}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book |last = Reader |first = W. J.  |year = 1970 |title = Imperial Chemical Industries: A History, vol. I: The Forerunners, 1870–1926 |location = Oxford, UK |publisher = Oxford University Press |isbn = 9780192159373}}
* {{cite book |last = Reader |first = W. J.  |year = 1975 |title = Imperial Chemical Industries: A History, vol. 2: The First Quarter-Century, 1926-1952 |location = Oxford, UK |publisher = Oxford University Press |isbn = 9780192159441}}
* {{cite book |last = Leslie |first = Esther |year = 2023 |title = The Rise and Fall of Imperial Chemical Industries: Synthetics, Sensism and the Environment |location = London, UK |publisher = Palgrave |isbn = 978-3031374319}}

{{Imperial Chemical Industries Chairman}}
{{FT 30 constituents}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Imperial Chemical Industries| ]]
[[Category:AstraZeneca]]
[[Category:British companies established in 1926]]
[[Category:British companies disestablished in 2008]]
[[Category:Chemical companies established in 1926]]
[[Category:Former defence companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Paint and coatings companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:1926 establishments in England]]
[[Category:2008 mergers and acquisitions]]