Company story - Refractories Window(Refwin)

Driving growth through new markets, reliable supply chains, and integrated services

Originally founded in 1915 as the Possehl Erzkontor Group, CREMER ERZKONTOR – as it is known today – has been part of the Peter Cremer holding company since 2014. Headquartered in Lübeck, Germany, the company has grown into a globally active raw materials and chemicals specialist with offices on five continents and a sales focus spanning Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

While rooted in a long tradition of reliable international trade, CREMER ERZKONTOR today is far more than a trading house. Guided by its “Beyond Trading” mission, the company provides integrated solutions across sourcing, logistics, processing, recycling, and digital services. This evolution is driven by its Strategy 2029, based on four pillars: diversification, verticalization, sustainability, and digitalization.

By deepening control of its supply chains, entering new markets, advancing circular economy solu-tions, and building digital capabilities, CREMER ERZKONTOR is shaping the future of raw materials distribution — with a focus on long-term value creation for customers, partners, and the industries it serves.

This strategic direction is already taking shape through several major projects and partnerships that are currently being implemented across the globe. These include the establishment of new struc-tures in key growth markets, long-term partnerships to secure critical materials, and deeper collaboration across business units of the wider CREMER Group. The following examples highlight how CREMER ERZKONTOR’s Strategy 2029 is being put into action.

A Strategic Milestone: CREMER ERZKONTOR Partners with The Alumina Company in the UAE

As part of its “Beyond Trading” strategy, CREMER ERZKONTOR has entered a long-term exclusive partnership with The Alumina Industrial Company (TAC), a greenfield alumina producer based near Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This agreement solidifies CREMER ERZKONTOR’s leadership in the field of processed industrial minerals, marking a significant step toward securing the availability, consistency, and high quality of critical refractory raw materials for global customers.

“This partnership is an important step in our strategy to diversify and strengthen our supply chains,” says Michael Fanger, Head of Corporate Minerals at CREMER ERZKONTOR. “In TAC, we have found a reliable partner whose high-quality alumina products will support our customers in key industries worldwide with long-term price visibility.”

The UAE offers considerable advantages as a production base: a strategic location on global shipping lanes, access to green, cost-effective energy, zero tariffs on exports, and a politically neutral position in international trade. For CREMER ERZKONTOR, this location enables not only competitive pricing but also a reliable alternative to existing sources.

Importantly, the TAC agreement enhances CREMER ERZKONTOR’s ability to offer customers flexibility, mitigate risks, and secure long-term supply. It also aligns with the company’s Strategy 2029 roadmap, reinforcing its position as a global service partner and value-added supplier in the industrial minerals space.

For TAC, this partnership validates its business plan and project viability in a global context. More importantly, it provides TAC with a reliable partner able to offer an extensive global network to market current and future products.

“In partnering with CREMER ERZKONTOR, we are joining forces with a globally recognized leader in advanced industrial materials,” says Aditya Agarwalla, Director at TAC. “Their expertise, network, and deep understanding of the market will help us establish our position as a key supplier of specialized alumina intermediates worldwide.”

TAC is a greenfield project currently under construction in the United Arab Emirates aiming to pro-duce approximately 300,000 tons per year of specialized alumina intermediates for the global refractory, technical ceramics and abrasives industries. The company is promoted by the Maithan Group based in India, which has more than six decades of experience in industrial manufacturing.

Strategic Expansion into India: CREMER ERZKONTOR Establishes Legal Entity in India

CREMER ERZKONTOR is reinforcing its global presence with the formation of a new subsidiary in India. This move marks a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its international footprint, localize its services, and diversify sourcing beyond traditional markets.

With a population of over 1.4 billion, increasing urbanization, and an abundant pool of skilled labor, India has emerged as one of the most dynamic markets globally. Combined with its position as the second-largest producer of steel and cement, its rapidly expanding industrial and infrastructural base reflects a strong focus on domestic production under the "Made in India" initiative. This makes India a natural fit for CREMER ERZKONTOR’s expertise in industrial minerals and refractory raw materials.

In early 2023, CREMER ERZKONTOR revitalized its three decades of presence in the Indian market with the launch of a new representative office. This move was much welcomed by longstanding customers, reflecting the trust built through years of consistent reliability and deep-rooted partnerships.

In 2025, CREMER ERZKONTOR plans to further strengthen its footprint by officially establishing a legal entity and starting warehousing operations near Vizag port. The new entity will be led by Ananthanarayana Nonavinakere, a seasoned expert with over 25 years of experience in the Indian refractory minerals market. Having previously represented CREMER ERZKONTOR from 2000 to 2008, and rejoining the company in 2023, Ananth Nonavinakere brings deep market knowledge and a broad industry network – making him an ideal fit for the role and a valuable addition to the CREMER ERZKONTOR Asia team.

The establishment of a local subsidiary opens the door to a broader client base and enables the provision of localized services. This includes on-the-ground logistics, warehousing, and tailored supply chain solutions across major Indian ports.

CREMER ERZKONTOR also sees growing opportunities in areas such as refractory recycling, mineral processing, and strategic sourcing of minerals and chemicals not only from India but also neighboring countries. These initiatives align with the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability under its “Beyond Trading” vision.

The Indian venture is a vital step towards realizing the goals laid out in CREMER ERZKONTOR’s Strat-egy 2029. By deepening its presence in India, the company enhances its ability to offer end-to-end solutions, reduce dependency on single markets, and better serve customers across South Asia and beyond. It also underscores the company’s evolution from global trader to integrated logistics and service provider embedded in the world’s key growth markets.

This expansion is more than a business decision: it is a commitment to proximity, partnership, and performance in one of the world’s most promising economies.

Expanding Access to High-Performance Materials: Virgina Kyanite Sales in China

In 2024, Kyanite Mining Corporation (KMC) entrusted CREMER ERZKONTOR with the exclusive distribution of Virginia Kyanite and Virginia Mullite in China. This marks a new chapter in a long-standing partnership between the two companies and highlights CREMER ERZKONTOR’s strengthened operational base in the Chinese market. Sales and distribution will be coordinated via Peter Cremer (Shanghai) and the company's Beijing entity, made possible by recently developed local structures and import capabilities.

Virginia Kyanite is a high-performance refractory raw material valued for its unique volume expansion behavior during calcination. This property makes it especially suitable for monolithic refractory applications and mold coatings in the foundry industry. The new setup enables CREMER ERZKONTOR to offer customers in China direct access to a highly specialized and globally trusted material – with local support, efficient delivery, and technical expertise on the ground. By integrating Kyanite and Mullite into its growing product portfolio in China, the company further strengthens its role as a reliable partner for high-performance raw materials, helping customers improve product quality and secure their supply chains in a fast-evolving market environment.

The initiative aligns with several pillars of the company’s Strategy 2029. By expanding the product range, it enhances diversification, while the direct supply chain access and customer engagement within China contributes to CREMER ERZKONTOR’s efforts in driving forward verticalization. What is more, the exclusive agreement strengthens the company’s position in a strategically important market while further embedding CREMER ERZKONTOR within the global advanced materials value chain.

Building on Internal Strengths: Strategic Partnerships Across the CREMER Group of Companies

CREMER ERZKONTOR continues to benefit from the strength and diversity of the wider CREMER group of companies. Through close collaboration with sister companies across Asia, the organization is unlocking new opportunities, streamlining operations, and providing more integrated solutions to its global customer base.

One striking example of this synergy is the previously highlighted exclusive distribution of Virginia Kyanite and Mullite in China, which has been made possible thanks to the support of Peter Cremer (Shanghai) and CREMER’s presence in Beijing.

The value of these connections was also demonstrated at a recent customer event in Jakarta, held under the theme “Building Partnerships for Growth”. Welcoming long-standing and new partners from across Southeast Asia, the event highlighted how CREMER’s diverse business units – from Oleochemicals and Animal Nutrition to Sustainable Foods and Industrial Minerals – can come together to serve evolving customer needs in key regional markets.

With a presence in Thailand, China, Singapore, and Indonesia, CREMER’s footprint in Asia is not only broad but also deeply rooted in local partnerships. By working hand in hand with other CREMER entities, CREMER ERZKONTOR is better positioned to deliver on its mission: providing high-quality materials and services where they are needed most – closer to the customer, with the right expertise on the ground.

(Nicol Tomaschewski, Head of Region Asia at CREMER ERZKONTOR, at CREMER’s Customer Event in Jakarta; Photo: Peter Cremer (Singapore) GmbH)

Beyond Trading: Transforming How We Supply and Deliver Raw Materials to the World 2025-10-09

Beyond Trading: Transforming How We Supply and Deliver Raw Materials to the World
2025-10-09