The history of Hans-Otto Schümann GmbH & Co KG is an example of how the commitment and entrepreneurship of an individual can create a successful and reputable world-wide operating company. It began in 1878 with the foundation of the "Erste Deutsche Virgina-Vaseline-Fabrik Carl Hellfrisch & Co.". The company was located in Offenbach/Main, where Carl Hellfrisch specialised in the production of high quality vaseline. In 1929, the Hamburg based Otto Schümann took over the company and relocated its production to the centrally located harbour of Hamburg. Because Otto Schümann passed away 9 years later, his son Hans-Otto Schümann, still a student at that time, took over the company. He was just 21 years old.

As the Schümann refinery was almost completely destroyed during the 2nd World War, Hans-Otto Schümann took the opportunity to build a new plant according to state-of-the-art technology close to the previous one. Furthermore, Hans-Otto Schümann started refining slack wax which is the raw material for the production of paraffin waxes. Today, the production of waxes is the core business of Sasol Wax.

From the beginning, Hans-Otto Schümann continuously invested in new technology and equipment. In the early fifties, the first sweating plant was built which ensured an environmentally friendly production of paraffin wax.

A further milestone was set during the sixties with the construction of the first hydro-treating plant for refining paraffin waxes. Thanks to an ever increasing demand, the world's first hydrogenation plant was commissioned in 1992, enabling us to fulfil the increasing quality and environmental requirements.

Thanks to the spirit of entrepreneurship, tireless commitment and the support of motivated employees, Hans-Otto Schümann created brands like TerHell Paraffin and Hellfrisch Vaseline and lead them to world-wide success.