BASF has completed the sale of its global pigments business to DIC. The purchase price was €1.15 billion ($1.36 billion at current exchange rates). The move was originally announced in 2019.

According to DIC, the acquisition brings together the complementary portfolio of technologies, products, manufacturing assets, supply chain and customer service of the two companies to serve customers globally.
 
“We’re excited to close our acquisition and expand our product offering as one of the leading pigment suppliers globally,” said Kaoru Ino, president and chief executive officer of DIC. “BASF’s pigments portfolio is an important strategic addition in expeditiously meeting the goals we’ve outlined, which provide a clear growth path for DIC with the target to increase our sales to 1 trillion yen (approximately €8 billion or $9.5 billion) by 2025.”

The purchase broadens Sun Chemical’s portfolio as a global manufacturer of pigments, including those for electronic displays, cosmetics, coatings, inks, plastics and specialty applications, by creating a world-class pigments supplier that offers customers an even wider range of versatile solutions, according to the company.
 
“We’re pleased to welcome the valued and trusted expertise and engagement of BASF’s employees in the pigments business,” said Myron Petruch, DIC executive officer and president and CEO of Sun Chemical, a subsidiary of DIC Corporation. “This deal allows us to compete in the global marketplace more effectively going forward, while strengthening our pigment footprint in Europe. It underscores our commitment to delivering solutions tailored to meet the needs of our customers.”

BASF Color & Effects (BCE) is a strategic partner who aims for high growth and high added value by expanding functional pigments into niche applications. according to Yoshinari Akiyama, DIC managing executive officer and general manager of the Color Material Products Division.

“Due to the complementary regional footprint and product portfolio, the acquisition of BCE is ideal for the DIC pigments business,” said Akiyama. “Closing this deal enables us to combine the technological capabilities of both companies so we continue to create new value and provide it to the market as the leading company in the pigment business.”

Customers will benefit as the acquisition offers a unique opportunity to combine complementary expertise and best practices to develop ground-breaking innovative solutions for the marketplace. As a company that strives for Color & Comfort, DIC believes that it can contribute to its customers by providing colors to society and life.

With over 30 pigment production facilities worldwide between DIC and BCE, the company’s pigment portfolio will offer broader product categories related to effect pigments, inorganic pigments, organic pigments, specialty dyes, and pigment preparations.

“This deal combines the complementary resources and expertise of two recognized leaders in innovation, product stewardship, regulatory leadership, application support and manufacturing,” said Mehran Yazdani, president, performance pigments and advanced daterials, Sun Chemical. “We’re looking forward to offering our customers the absolute best support and continued innovation in the pigments space.”
 
According to Dr. Alexander Haunschild, senior vice president and managing director at BASF’s pigment-focused subsidiary BASF Colors & Effects, the agreement will help continue the growth path started in 2016. “The investments of DIC proves its commitment to innovation and interest in the longer term success of the business. We’re excited to see BCE continue down a path of growth and success.”