HOBUM develops and produces bio-based oleochemicals such as epoxy hardeners, polyols, plasticizers and diluents based on plant oils.
HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbH
21079 HamburgNew on Amplifa
About HOBUM Oleochemicals
HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbH is a family-owned chemical company based in Hamburg-Harburg that has specialized in processing renewable raw materials since 1896. From plant oils such as linseed and soybean oil as well as refined fatty acids, chemical precursors are produced for paints, adhesives, sealants and elastomers: epoxidized plant oils and esters (Merginat), epoxy hardeners based on polyaminoamides and adducts, water-based hardeners (Merginamid), bio-based polyols (Merginol), reactive diluents for epoxy systems (Mergisol), conjugated fatty acids (Isomerginic acid), PVC plastisol adhesion promoters (IBERO-TEC) and acrylate-free UV binders. Production takes place on an industrial scale in chemical reactors at the Konsul-Ritter-Straße 10 site, where administration, research and development are also located. Customers come from industries such as automotive, aerospace, shipping, construction, electrical, adhesives, wood and furniture as well as medicine. The bio-based carbon content is stated for every product; Product Carbon Footprint and EPD data are provided by HOBUM upon request.
- Site
- Hamburg
- Processes
- Production of epoxidized plant oils and esters (epoxidation), Production of bio-based polyols (Merginol), Production of epoxy hardeners (polyaminoamides, adduct hardeners, water-based hardeners), Production of conjugated (conjuene) fatty acids (isomerginic acid), Production of reactive diluents for epoxy systems (Mergisol), Production of PVC plastisol adhesion promoters (IBERO-TEC), Production of radiation-curable UV binders (Merginat UV), Tailormade product development from idea to industrial-scale production
- Materials
- Linseed oil, Plant oils (bio-based, renewable raw materials), Fatty acids (refined fatty acids, conjugated fatty acids), Epoxy resin systems (epoxy resins), PVC / PVC plastisols, PU dispersions / polyurethane systems, Alkyd resins, Epoxidized plant oils and esters
- Certificates
- EcoVadis Platinum
- Founded
- 1896
- Industries
- Automotive industry, Aerospace industry, Maritime industry, Electrical industry, Adhesives industry, Construction industry
- 01
Raw material intake (plant oils, fatty acids)
- 02
Chemical modification in reactors (epoxidation, conjugation, amidation)
- 03
Tailormade product development (R&D)
- 04
Quality control and product release
- 05
Shipping and distribution
Raw Materials and Processes
Epoxidized plant oils and esters
Used as plasticizers and co-stabilizers for PVC as well as in epoxy systems, produced among others from linseed and soybean oil.
Epoxy hardeners (polyaminoamides, adduct hardeners, water-based hardeners)
Decisively determine the properties of cured epoxy coatings in corrosion protection and structural applications.
Bio-based polyols
Based on various plant oils and used for the synthesis of PU dispersions, coatings, casting compounds and adhesives.
Reactive diluents for epoxy systems
Alternative to classic reactive diluents without CMR classification, with 95 % bio-based carbon content.
Conjugated fatty acids (isomerginic acid)
Multiply unsaturated fatty acids with fast drying for the production of alkyd resins and epoxy resin esters.
PVC plastisol adhesion promoters
For underbody protection and seam sealing in the automotive industry with strong adhesion and corrosion protection.
Acrylate-free UV binders
Radiation-curable oils for paints, adhesives and printing inks, developed since 2000.
Admerginic acid
Multifunctional additive for the hot curing of epoxy resins as well as water-based metalworking fluids.
Sites
Hamburg-Harburg
DEProduction, Administration, Research & Development, Goods Receiving
- Materials
- Epoxidized plant oils, polyols, epoxy hardeners, conjugated fatty acids, adhesion promoters
- Chemical reactor for polyaminoamide production (2019)
- Reactors for epoxidation (capacity doubling 2009–2012)
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production of epoxidized plant oils and esters (epoxidation)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Plant oils (e.g. linseed oil, soybean oil), Esters |
| Production of bio-based polyols (Merginol)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Plant oils, Fatty acids |
| Production of epoxy hardeners (polyaminoamides, adduct hardeners, water-based hardeners)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Fatty acids, Polyaminoamides |
| Production of conjugated (conjuene) fatty acids (isomerginic acid)Plastics | – | – | – | – | multiply unsaturated plant oils, Fatty acids |
| Production of reactive diluents for epoxy systems (Mergisol)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Plant oils |
| Production of PVC plastisol adhesion promoters (IBERO-TEC)Plastics | – | – | – | – | PVC plastisols |
| Production of radiation-curable UV binders (Merginat UV)Plastics | – | – | – | – | Plant oils (acrylate-free UV oils) |
| Tailormade product development from idea to industrial-scale productionEngineering | – | – | – | – | – |
1 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical reactor (polyaminoamide production) | – | 1 | – | 2019 | Hamburg-Harburg (Konsul-Ritter-Straße 10) |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality and Sustainability
HOBUM states the bio-based carbon content individually for every product and provides Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) as well as data for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) upon request. Sustainability management was rated with the EcoVadis Platinum rating in 2026 (88 out of 100 points); the emissions targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.
| Evidence | Hamburg-Harburg |
|---|---|
| EcoVadis Platinum |
History
- 1896
Start of operations of the Harburger Leinöl- und Firnisfabrik Brinckman in Hamburg-Harburg, founded by Max Brinckman and Arnold Mergell
- 1906
Renamed Harburger Oelwerke Brinckman und Mergell (HOBUM)
- 1959
Founding of Harburger Fettchemie Brinckman & Mergell GmbH; processing of coupled products into lubricants
- 1960
Start of production of conjugated fatty acids and development of oleochemical polyols for the automotive industry
- 1975
Development and market launch of a water-based polyaminoamide adduct hardener
- 1980
Reorientation towards chemical modifications of the double bonds of unsaturated oils
- 1990
Reactivation of the polyol portfolio; sale of the refinery to the Vandemoortele Group
- 2000
Development of acrylate-free UV oils
- 2003
Renamed HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbH
- 2004
Founding of the ICC
- 2005
Specialization in the epoxy sector on water-based hardeners
- 2009
Start of the capacity doubling for epoxidized plant oils and esters (completed 2012)
- 2017
Relocation of administration and R&D to the production site at Konsul-Ritter-Straße 10
- 2019
Commissioning of an additional reactor for the production of polyaminoamides
- 2022
Acquisition of the ICC by HOBUM
- 2026
EcoVadis Platinum rating (88 out of 100 points); planned connection of the site to the Harburg hydrogen network