BASF to combine all pigments activities

BASF will form a global business unit (GBU) combining all of its pigments activities effective January 2016. In the second half of 2016, BASF intends to carve out its pigments business and establish separate legal entities.

With sales of about €1bn in 2014 and 2500 employees globally, BASF holds a leading position in the pigments market, offering the broadest portfolio of products and technology. The new GBU is likely be headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. All employees who are dedicated to the pigments business will be transferred to the GBU.

"We have achieved and maintained a leading position in the pigments market through acquisitions and a series of successful restructuring measures. The new global business unit will fully concentrate on the pigments business and thus be even more focused on supporting the needs of our pigments customers,” said Dr Markus Kramer, President of BASF’s Dispersions & Pigments division.

Dr Alexander Haunschild, Senior VP of the regional business unit Pigments and Resins Europe and appointed head of the GBU, stated: "By creating an organisation fully dedicated to pigments, we will adapt better to the challenges in the pigments industry. Our customers will benefit from tailored services and higher responsiveness.”