BASF acquires Johnson Polymer, Degussa division

BASF, a global manufacturer of styrenics, engineering plastics and polyurethanes, has acquired Wisconsin-based supplier Johnson Polymer as well as German chemical producer Degussa AG’s construction chemicals business.
Both acquisitions were finalized on July 1, 2006.
The purchase of Johnson Polymer includes the company’s production sites in the U.S. and the Netherlands, as well as technical centres and offices in Asia Pacific. The former Johnson Polymer, which has a worldwide staff of approximately 430, will become part of BASF’s performance chemicals division.
“This acquisition opens up new areas for innovation in a profitable and fast-growing segment of our specialty business,” BASF board member Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer said.
BASF’s acquisition of Degussa’s global construction chemicals activities includes production sites and sales centers in over 50 countries as well as a research and development center in Trostberg, Germany.
“Construction chemicals is an innovative business area with cyclically resilient margins that we will develop into a profitable growth sector in BASF’s portfolio,” Dr. Kreimeyer said. “We will now work together to integrate Degussa’s operations quickly into our existing business. In doing so, we will rely in particular on the expertise and innovativeness of our new colleagues. Together with our own staff, our aim is to build the best team in construction chemicals.”
In 2005, BASF had approximately 81,000 employees and posted sales of more than EUR 42.7 billion.