BASF sells marine biopolymers business to Seagarden ASA

Tuesday, Jul 03, 2012

BASF SE and the Norwegian company Seagarden ASA signed a contract to transfer the Chitosan marine biopolymers business. Chitosan marine biopolymers are used in personal care products and as pharmaceutical ingredients. The transaction is expected to be formally completed by August 2012.

The divestment of the Chitosan business from former Cognis results from the portfolio optimization following the acquisition of Cognis by BASF in 2010. The Chitosan business including the production site in Tromsoe, Norway, will be owned by the Norwegian specialist for natural seafood ingredients, marine bioactives and biopolymers, Seagarden SAS through its subsidiary Chitinor AS. The customers have been informed accordingly and conditions have been fixed to ensure supply reliability through the transition.

About BASF Care Chemicals

BASF Care Chemicals division offers a broad range of ingredients for hygiene, personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are the global leading supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients, pigments and UV filters. Superabsorbent polymers developed for the full spectrum of hygiene applications complete the range. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. We are where our customers need us around the world.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to the conservation of resources, the provision of healthy food and nutrition and improving the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees at the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

About Chitinor AS

Chitinor AS is a leading producer and supplier of marine biopolymers based on shells from North-Atlantic cold-water shrimp, Pandalus borealis. By direct and full integration with Norway’s largest shrimp processor, the company relies on minute-fresh and fully traceable raw materials for production of high quality marine biopolymers supplied to the international food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical markets. Chitinor AS is a fully owned subsidiary of Seagarden ASA, Haugesund, Norway.

Source: BASF