Topsøe in poltical situation

Poltiken Økonomi Wednesday 27.10.2010 by Hanne Foighel

The Danish company Haldor Topsøe is suddenly in the middle of a major political dilemma in Israel. Together with the German company Babcock Noell they won a contract with the Israeli electric company IEC for 750 million DKR (100 million Euros) to provide filters to two major coal power plants. However when this case was mentioned by Ha’aretz’s journalist Yossi Melman end September, it started a debate in Israel, especially Likud member Miri Regev picked up on the story and wants an investigation concerning if Israel is indeed following their own laws regarding doing business with companies that also are investing in Iran. Haldor Topsøe confirm that they have sold desulphurization to two Iranian refineries, and had signed a contract last year with Iran for two methanol factories, however when the American sanctions where place on Iran in July this year Haldor Topsøe withdrew from the contract. From the Danish headquarters Haldor Topsøe expressed their understanding that of course Israel should check if all rules have been followed, but emphasizes that they are following the international sanctions including the American sanctions. CEO of HT ensures that the Americans have indeed accepted the technical details of which they were involved with the methanol production.

In the Danish Foreign Ministry they closely observe the case. CEO Anne Steffensen met with and Iranian diplomat and in her conversation stressed that the Non proliferation treaty is an issues and refrains Danish companies for investing in Iran, she was quoted in Irna for saying that she urges Danish companies to increase their business in Iran.