CyPlus GmbH, the new cyanide unit of Degussa AG, officially began life at the beginning of this month. The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Degussa, has been formed from the mining chemicals unit of Degussa, and will aim to use its strong market position to attract new customers. CyPlus has three North American subsidiaries, CyPlus Corp. in the US, CyPlus Canada, Inc. and Cyanco Co., a 50:50 joint venture with Nevada Chemicals Inc.

According to Degussa, CyPlus is a leading cyanide supplier in North America and Europe. Frank Harenburg, the managing director of CyPlus, believes that there are excellent development opportunities for the company in Latin America, Asia and Australia: "We aim to gain a position among the market leaders in these regions in the next five years."

The mining industry is the largest consumer of cyanides. They are also used by the chemical industry in the manufacture ofamino adds and as active ingredients for pharmaceutical chemicals. Cyanides are also used in metal finishing.