German chemical firm Brenntag defends its Syria deliveries

A German chemical wholesaler, Brenntag, has denied circumventing EU export rules on restricted chemicals, some of which were delivered to Syria in 2014. A Swiss subsidiary of Brenntag supplied isopropanol and diethylamine to Syria. They can be used in pharmaceuticals, but can also be used to make the nerve agents Sarin and VX. Brenntag says the deliveries also complied with Swiss law.
UN experts say Syrian government forces have used chemical weapons repeatedly. Brenntag confirmed that isopropanol and diethylamine were delivered to Syria via its subsidiary Brenntag Schweizerhall AG, "in accordance with applicable law". "Brenntag did not circumvent EU export restrictions," a company statement said. The chemicals were intended to produce an analgesic, it said. Shares in Brenntag fell about 6% on Wednesday. Brenntag, based in the German city of Essen, describes itself as the global market leader in chemical distribution. It operates in 76 countries and has more than 16,600 employees.
Its Syria deal was first reported by Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung, broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk and Swiss group Tamedia.