Atotech was founded in 1993, when the Elf Atochem Group merged its M&T Harshaw operations with Schering Electroplating Division having a deep history in electroplating dating back to 1901. Today, Atotech is a direct subsidiary of the world's fifths-largest oil and gas company Total, created from the merger of TotalFina and Elf Aquitaine in 2000. As the fifth largest chemical company, Total holds leading positions in Europe and throughout the world in each of the following markets: Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Specialty Chemicals for consumer as well as industrial markets. Being part of the chemical branch of the oil and gas group Total, Atotech has access to substantial resources and benefits from production, R&D and distribution synergies within this major company.