Styrolution commences business
BASF SE and INEOS AG have received approvals from all relevant antitrust authorities for the formation of the joint venture Styrolution. Closing is effective as of October 1, 2011. From this date on Styrolution operates independently.
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Plastics segment said: “From day one Styrolution will be a global leader in its industry with an excellent competitive position. We are convinced that the decision to combine our styrenics activities in a joint venture is the right one.”
Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman, INEOS Capital, commented: “Styrolution has the people, the products and scale to compete effectively in world markets. Bringing together plant, products and entrepreneurial employees from BASF and INEOS into a new joint venture company with a clear strategy, provides a firm foundation for long-term success and growth.”
BASF and INEOS have combined their global business activities in styrene monomers (SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) and other styrene-based copolymers (SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS) as well as copolymer blends into the new joint venture, Styrolution. The business with expandable polystyrene is not part of the transaction. BASF and INEOS will retain their respective businesses.
The company headquarters will be located in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. In the joint venture 50% of the shares will be owned by BASF and 50% by INEOS. Styrolution will have sites in Germany, Belgium, France, Sweden, Korea, India, Thailand, the USA, Canada and Mexico. In 2010 the joint venture had pro forma sales of about €6.4 billion and employed approximately 3,400 people.
Styrenics are mainly used for household and office products, for electrical and communication devices and for packaging. Styrene-based copolymers are thermoplastic resins on the basis of the monomers styrene and acrylonitrile. They are mainly used in the automotive and technical industries as well as for many everyday products.
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