MIDLAND, Mich. – ELEMICA is the new name of the online business-to-business (B2B) chemicals e-marketplace that was recently announced by leading chemical companies and distributors. The name is derived from the words “element” (matter in its purest form), “elementary” (basic, fundamental, essential) and “lemma” (a founding premise).

ELEMICA was announced in mid-May by ATOFINA, BASF, Bayer, BP Amoco, Dow, DuPont, Mitsui Chemicals, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Rhodia, Rohm and Haas, Sumitomo Chemical, and Van Waters & Rogers. In June, Ashland Distribution Co., CHEMCENTRAL, Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Celanese and Shell Chemical Co. announced that they agreed in principle to participate in the marketplace. In addition, Air Products and Degussa-Huls have also agreed in principle to participate.

An interim Web site has been created to serve as an informational storefront for the company until the transactional business site is established at the end of the year. The site, www.elemica.com, contains information about the company, current news, information about the participants and contact information. Korn/Ferry International, an executive search firm, has also been appointed to recruit top management for the company.