A company called Archroma is to buy BASF’s global textile chemicals business. Itself owned by US-based private investment firm SK Capital Partners, Archroma said the BASF acquisition will complement its textile dyes and chemicals portfolio and geographical presence. It currently provides products across the textile chemicals spectrum, with particular focus on the printing, finishing and coating chemicals segments.
The acquisition will also allow Archroma to reinforce its Textile Specialties team with a global team that has an especially strong presence in Asia and other high growth markets. Both BASF’s and Archroma’s textile businesses are headquartered in Singapore, close to the developing Asian textile markets and customers. “
With this agreement, we are bringing together the century-old history of BASF textile chemicals products, technologies and people with Archroma's already strong heritage from Hoechst, Sandoz and Clariant," said Alexander Wessels, CEO of Archroma. "Archroma already acquired 49% of textile manufacturer M Dohmen in May 2014, illustrating the company’s determination to become the preferred supplier in our industries."
Thomas Winkler, Archroma’s Textile Specialties president, added: “We are looking forward to partnering with the management and employees of the BASF textile chemicals business. I am convinced that together we can build upon our strong technologies and market positions with the same commitment to customer focus, innovation, world-class quality standards, high service levels, cost-efficiency and sustainability.”
The transaction comprises the global textile chemicals business, as well as the legal entity BASF Pakistan (Private) Ltd., Karachi. About 290 positions globally are in the scope of the transaction, of which approximately 230 are in Asia.
The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities and the closing is expected to take place by the end of the first quarter in 2015. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.