LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY/ COLUMBIA, US: BASF SE said it has agreed to sell its global polyolefin catalysts business to W R Grace & Co. BASF and Grace intend to complete the transaction in the third quarter.
The targeted transaction includes technologies, patents, trademarks and the transfer of BASF’s production plants in Pasadena, Texas, and Tarragona, Spain. It is intended that approximately 170 employees globally will also transfer to Grace.
The polyolefin catalysts business is part of BASF’s catalysts division. “This sale was the best course of action for both the catalysts division and for the long-term interests of the polyolefin catalysts business and its employees,” said Kenneth Lane, president, catalysts division, BASF.
“With this divestiture, we will continue to sharpen our focus on key growth areas, including our chemical catalysts and refinery catalysts businesses,” said Lane.
Grace is a supplier of polyolefin catalysts technology, as well as polypropylene (PP) process technology and has the broadest portfolio of polyolefin catalyst technologies of any independent catalysts producer, it said in a separate press release.
BASF’s polyolefin catalysts business includes its LYNX high-activity PE catalyst technologies that are utilized commercially in slurry processes for the production of high-density PE resins such as bimodal film and pipe. LYNX PP catalyst technologies are used commercially in all major PP process technologies including slurry, bulk loop, stirred gas, fluid gas, and stirred bulk.
“This is an important addition to Grace’s strong portfolio of polyolefin catalysts technologies,” said Fred Festa, chairman and CEO, Grace. “Grace is uniquely positioned to serve the growing needs of the polyolefins market and benefit from operational synergies. This opportunity is perfectly aligned with our focus on core catalysts and materials technologies.”
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