No, he didn’t know the elegant gentleman from Germany who was just being guided through the company. Juarez da Silva Costa had been earning his own money as a young chemistry student at a German chemical company in Mauá in the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo since 1980. Founded in 1973 as a 50:50 joint venture with Degussa to import German products, the partners had been running their own production there since 1975. It was Baerlocher's first overseas production facility. Lead stabilizers in flake form and liquid mixed metal stabilizers were produced. "It was a tiny business in the backyard with 10 to 15 employees ", remembers Juarez da Silva Costa, who worked in the lab whenever his studies allowed. It was precisely there that he happened to meet this elegant gentleman in his early days. What da Silva Costa only realises in retrospect: it is Baerlocher managing director Dr. Christian Rosenthal, who in 1980 undertook one of his last business trips to Brazil not long before his unexpected death. A lot has happened since then.

Today, Baerlocher do Brasil is one of a total of six joint ventures worldwide in which Baerlocher holds interests. Lestar Quimica S.A. in Argentina, Compania Quimica S.A. in Peru, SO.G.I.S. Industria Chimica SpA in Italy, TITANSTUC SA in San Marino and DooBon Fine Chemical Co. Ltd in South Korea also show that Baerlocher relies on strong, long-term partnerships internationally. This requires equal shareholders who actively and trustingly help shape the company's development.

Juarez da Silva Costa continues on his path at "BdoB". The former working student became a permanent employee in 1984. One with ambition and heart and soul. And Baerlocher do Brasil also wanted a bigger backyard. When the joint venture expanded its production in 1986/87 and moved to Americana, da Silva Costa joined in. He is now responsible for production: "I had just graduated from university. I was growing together with the company. There were perspectives and progress. He sharpened his own perspective during a trip to Germany, among other things. In 1987 he visited Baerlocher's production - at that time still at the old plant in Munich, later he was also in Lingen. "It was good for us to learn and to transfer what we've learned to our plant in Brazil.”

Dr Michael Rosenthal had high hopes for the Americana site in his time. "BdoB" continues growing significantly after the Emprenor Group replaces Degussa as a joint venture partner in 1995. In 2002, a new modern laboratory is inaugurated, in 2003 a production line for stearates is put into operation, and in 2004 a BAEROPOL production line. Finally, in 2013, a new factory for oleochemicals is installed. Since then, BdoB has invested around US$ 20 million in the expansion of the site. The stearic acid plant is one of the most modern in the world. Soaps, cosmetics, rubber - "we are selling to markets Germany does not sell", says da Silva Costa, who is constantly exploring new possibilities. "We are always discovering new applications for the stearates and the oleochemicals." In addition, BdoB is taking a pioneering role in changing the Brazilian market towards sustainable solutions. Juarez da Silva Costa took over as Managing Director in 2010 after his predecessor passed away. It is a task that da Silva Costa, who had ventured into business administration five years earlier, is happy to take on. The well-being of the company is his top priority. He is supported by a competent management and staff team.