Kaneka Belgium finalizes the acquisition of BASF Acrylic-based Modifier Business

On December 4th, 2013, Kaneka Belgium NV and BASF SE signed a contract for the transfer of BASF’s Impact Modifier and Processing Aid Business, a product line to improve the impact strength and processing of PVC and engineering plastics.  The agreement was subject to the approval of the German antitrust authorities (Bundeskartellamt).

After the official and unconditional approval of the German Federal Cartel Office on February 11th, 2014, both Kaneka and BASF worked together to finalize the deal, which now officially has been closed on Monday, March 31st, 2014.
Following the definite acquisition, Kaneka’s acrylic-based modifiers are now scheduled to be produced at Kaneka’s plant in Oevel, Belgium, and/or by its subsidiary Kaneka Modifiers Deutschland GmbH at the site in Wesseling, Germany.

Since Kaneka Belgium NV started up its modifier business 40 years ago, the company has a proven track record in managing highly trustful and stable business partnerships throughout the plastics industry. With the latest acquisition from BASF, following the business acquisition from Evonik’s Processing Aid, Impact Modifiers and Specialty Modifiers Business in 2011, Kaneka Belgium further strengthens its acrylic-based modifier business in Europe and fully underscores its confidence in polymer additives and modifiers, which remain its core business in Europe.