Borregaard's History
Borregaard is a company with rich traditions. The first industrial plants were started in the 1600s while modern industrial activities began with the Kellner Partington Paper and Pulp Company Ltd in 1889.
The name Borregaard was connected to Borgargjerdi, the royal seat in Olav the Holy's time (1016). In 1312 the estate was handed over from being the king's estate to a country estate, and the name was gradually changed to Borregaard. The country estate was in shifting hands until 1889, when the English company The Kellner Partington Paper Pulp Co. Ltd. became the owners. In 1918 Borregaard was taken over by Norwegian owners.
The company built a cellulose factory in the area near Sarpsfossen waterfall. Consequently, modern industry made its entrance with the building of what would later become one of the largest industrial plants in Norway.
In 1918 a holding company was established with the purpose of transferring the English company, The Kellner Partington Paper Pulp Co., into Norwegian hands. The holding company took the name Borregaard after the historical place in Sarpsborg. From 1918 the Borregaard name was used in industrial activities.
Until the Second World War, Borregaard's main products were cellulose and paper. Since then production has been expanded to include a range of chemical products, and Borregaard has engaged in several larger activities in other branches.
In 1986 the two companies Orkla Industries and Borregaard merged into one company - Orkla Borregaard. When Orkla Borregaard merged with Nora Industries in 1992, the new company took the name Orkla, and the Chemicals business area kept the Borregaard name. Sarpsborg is still the headquarters for Borregaard.
