Despite challenging economic conditions, the BÜFA Group – a Germany-based family business in the chemical industry since 1883 – kept its position in 2023 and remains focused on a sustainable circular economy. In particular, the company works with innovative, international partners in water-related solutions, since water is an essential resource. 

For instance, the company has been investing in Dutch start-up Ferr-Tech since late 2022. With the product FerSol®, wastewater generated in industrial processes can be cleaned efficiently and in an environmentally friendly manner. In that same year, the company acquired a partner specializing in the sustainable recycling of water and anhydrous chemicals – Sweden-based MacSerien – with products used in car cleaning, water treatment, catering and various industries. The German company also installed a vacuum distillation system from H2O this year in order to operate its own production in a climate-neutral manner.

The year 2023 presented a difficult economic environment in Germany: overall demand has remained declining, accompanied by continued high energy costs and characterized by high core inflation. However, Felix Thalmann – the company’s CEO – stated that “especially in this difficult environment, it is important to consistently continue on our path and rely on sustainability and innovations in order to position BÜFA for the future.”