Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 3, 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.
About Seagarden ASA
Seagarden ASA is a Norwegian Public Company with around 80 shareholders.
The company is registered in Haugesund, Norway, and is the holding company
for Seagarden AS, Chitinor AS, Atlantic Ingredients AS, Arctic Medical Nutrition
AS and Avaldsnes Property AS. Further information on Seagarden ASA is
available on the Internet at www.seagarden.no