Over 200 years on behalf of our customers

Our history as a chemical manufacturer stretches back more than 200 years. Towards the end of the 18th century, the chemist Carl Samuel Hermann founded the company “Hermania” to manufacture potassium and magnesium salts as well as hydrochloric acid and, in doing so, he laid the foundation for our Schönebeck (Elbe River) site.

Since 1957, we have been active as a reliable production service provider and strategic partner for the chemical industry. Our range of services has continuously expanded and now ranges from synthesis, through formulation to packaging solid, liquid and pasty chemical substances.

1957 

Sideco Pharma GmbH was founded in Lübeck working as a contract production service for the pharmaceutical industry. 

1972–1983 

Further production companies are founded in Lübeck and Baar-Ebenhausen, among other places, and facilitate entry into the formulation and packaging of pesticides. 

1984 

Dr. Schirm GmbH was founded as a holding company for the existing five manufacturing companies and later became Dr. Schirm AG. 

1992 

LEHNKERING Montan AG (now Imperial Chemical Logistics GmbH) purchases the company from the owner, Dr. Günther Schirm. 

Dr. Schirm AG takes over the former VEB Fahlberg-List’s production site in Schönebeck near Magdeburg and enters the production service business of synthesis. 

1990er Jahre

Systematic expansion and modernisation of the production facilities at all locations. Synergies between the sites are used. Full service packages can now be offered.

2000 

Dr. Schirm AG acquires the company Ennis Agri Tech from Texas and is now also represented on the North American market as Schirm USA, Inc.

2001 

The previously independently managed subsidiaries all join Dr. Schirm AG.

2002 

A new multi-purpose synthesis plant goes into operation in Schönebeck. 

2005 

The company changes its legal structure and now trades as Schirm GmbH. 

2008 

LEHNKERING purchases the Wolfenbüttel production site from Bayer CropScience. Schirm GmbH operationally leads the areas of formulation and packaging operatively. 

2011 

The South African company IMPERIAL Holdings Ltd. aquires LEHNKERING Holding GmbH. As a LEHNKERING Group company, Schirm GmbH becomes part of a large international network.

2013 

A new extrusion plant for highly active substances goes into operation in Wolfenbüttel.

2014 

Beauty Care formulation and packaging capacities in Baar-Ebenhausen are doubled at the end of the year. Large-scale filling of sachets is possible from now on.

2015

A new centre for formulating and packaging fungicidal emulsion concentrate is opened in Schönebeck. The centre expands current site capacities and has a high-performance filler and packaging robot, among other things.

The site infrastructure is also extended through a further high-rack storage area for hazardous substances.

2016

All sites are successfully certified according to DIN EN ISO 50001 for the first time. Furthermore, production of the Beauty Care lines at the Baar-Ebenhausen site is certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 22716 (cosmetics GMP).

2017

The year also features production capacity expansions: 

Wolfenbüttel extended its portfolio with a pastillation plant for the Home Care segment. Capacities in Ennis are also expanded - an additional production supply depot as well as a new herbicide EC formulation and packaging facility are built.

2018

On 30/01/2018, the South African chemical corporation, AECI, acquires Schirm GmbH. The Wolfenbüttel production site also trades under the name Schirm GmbH.  The sale offers an ideal addition to all our current business activities and core competencies.

The existing multi-purpose synthesis plant is extended with a pastillation facility as well as a new, third multi-purpose synthesis plant is put into operation.