Press Release
Kemira Oyj
February 27, 2014 at 10 am (CET+1)
BASF and Kemira announced today that Kemira will acquire BASF’s global alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) emulsion business. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.
“Kemira is a global leader in paper and pulp chemistry and the leading supplier of sizing products for the paper industry. This acquisition of the AKD emulsion business is one part in implementing our strategy and will further strengthen our possibilities to serve our Paper customers especially on the continental European market”, said Kenneth Nystén, Senior Vice President, Regional Business Unit Paper EMEA.
With this transaction BASF, the leading supplier of paper chemistry, will further optimize its paper chemicals portfolio in order to focus on customer-oriented products and solutions to improve the efficiency of paper machines and lower the total cost of operation. “In line with our recent announcement we have evaluated all strategic options for the AKD emulsion business and found an excellent partner in Kemira who will ensure a smooth transition and uninterrupted supply of customers”, said Andreas Tuerk, Senior Vice President, Paper Chemicals Europe.
The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details of the agreement.
Additional information:
BASF
Thomas Nonnast
Corporate Media Relations
Tel.: +49 30 206 2950-34
thomas.nonnast@basf.com
Andrea Hoerdt
Global Communications Paper Chemicals
Tel.: +41 61 63-60644
andrea.hoerdt@basf.com
Kemira Oyj
Leena Lie
SVP, Communications and Corporate Responsibility
Tel: + 350 40 745 7943
Leena.lie@kemira.com
Kenneth Nystén
SVP, RBU Paper EMEA
Tel: +49 15154407955
kenneth.nysten@kemira.com
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 with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Kemira is a global chemicals company serving customers in water-intensive industries. We provide expertise and chemicals that improve our customers’ water, energy and raw material efficiency. Our focus is on pulp & paper, oil & gas, mining and water treatment. In 2013, Kemira had annual revenue of EUR 2.2 billion and around 4,500 employees. Kemira shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd.
www.kemira.com