BASF acquires Lanxess's new technology to manufacture polyisobutene

LUDWIGSHAFEN/KOLN, GERMANY: BASF SE and Lanxess AG have agreed for BASF to purchase the polyisobutene business consisting mainly of intellectual property for a new technology to produce high molecular weight polyisobutene (HM PIB). Financial details of the agreement have not been disclosed.

On behalf of BASF, Lanxess will exclusively manufacture the new HM PIB for BASF in existing assets under a long term toll manufacturing agreement. BASF will market the products under the product name Oppanol® N.

“The acquired technology provides an excellent opportunity for BASF to jointly grow together with our customers. The transaction will result in enhanced security of HM PIB supply and it provides the basis for a long term oriented sustainable growth with high quality products for a broad range of applications,” said Martin Widmann, senior vice president, global business unit fuel and lubricant solutions, BASF.

The transaction is related to HM PIB only; other PIB offerings by BASF including medium molecular weight PIB (MM PIB) and highly reactive PIB (HR PIB) will not be affected, BASF said.

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