Basf repositions its pigment business

Following the Ciba acquisition, Basf now has one of the broadest product pigments portfolios. After an indepth analysis of the combined operations, the company will eliminate specific products and adapt production capacities to market developments. As a consequence, approximately 500 of the current 2,900 jobs in the global pigment production will be cut. At six sites in North and South America as well as in Europe, individual production plants will be closed. At six other sites in Asia and Europe, Basf will expand existing capacities or make better use of them. The measures, which mainly concern azo pigments and phthalocyanines, will begin this year and should be completed by 2013. Basf currently operates 22 production sites for pigments worldwide.