PHILADELPHIA – Following the merger of TotalFina and Elf Aquitaine, it was announced in February that the chemical operation of the company would be renamed ATOFINA. Elf Atochem North America is now ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc., and Fina Oil & Chemical Co. becomes ATOFINA Petrochemicals, Inc.

ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc., which employs 4,000 people, will keep its headquarters in Philadelphia. ATOFINA Petrochemicals will move its headquarters from Dallas to Houston.

“We are confident that the creation of the new ATOFINA Group will open up growth prospects for our company and will allow us to better meet the challenges of the competitive chemical industry,” said Bernard Azoulay, president and chief executive officer of ATOFINA Chemicals, Inc.

ATOFINA, whose worldwide headquarters are located in Paris, is the fifth largest chemical company in the world, with sales of $17 billion. The company employs over 70,000 people worldwide.