Who owns the National Starch and Chemical Company?

After Akzo Nobel moved to acquire ICI there has been speculation and confusion regarding which bits of ICI were kept by Akzo and which went to Henkel. It is now pleasing to see that the National Starch web site has moved to clarify the situation (somewhat).

The situation is:

• National Starch & Chemical Company's organisation is in transition
• On January 2, 2008, Akzo Nobel N.V. became the new owner of National Starch and Chemical Company as part of its acquisition of ICI
• The businesses of National Starch are in the process of being integrated or sold.
  
• AkzoNobel has retained the businesses previously grouped under SPG.
  
• Elotex is now part of Functional Chemicals and Personal Care
• Alco Chemical is now part of Surface Chemistry
• AkzoNobel has announced that it intends to divest National Starch's Natural Polymers Group sometime in 2008 --> this includes the group handling products sold to the paper industry and re-branded as National Starch with a new green and yellow logo.
  
• On April 3, 2008, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA acquired National's Adhesives and Electronic Materials Groups