ARCHROMA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF BASF TEXTILE CHEMICALS BUSINESS

Reinach, 1 July 2015 – Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals for the textile, paper and emulsions sectors, announced today that it has closed the acquisition of BASF's global* textile chemicals business. The acquisition further solidifies Archroma's position as a clear industry leader in supplying chemicals and dyes to the global textile industry. Archroma is a portfolio company of US-based private investment firm SK Capital Partners.

This is the second strategic transaction by Archroma following its corporate carve-out from Clariant in 2013, after previously acquiring a stake in the textile dyes and chemicals manufacturer M. Dohmen in 2014.

The BASF business delivers products and technologies across the entire textile chemicals spectrum, with particular strengths in printing, finishing and coating chemicals. The acquisition strategically complements Archroma's product portfolio and geographical presence that will now include BASF's strong market positions in Asia and several other high-growth markets. The combined textile chemicals businesses will continue their history of maintaining a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.

"The textile industry is undergoing transformational change resulting from macro supply and demand shifts as well as a growing customer demand for sustainably-oriented solutions" said Alexander Wessels, CEO of Archroma. He added: "The operational and intellectual synergies between BASF and Archroma will allow us to offer our customers the full breadth and depth of innovation, quality, reliability, expertise and market coverage they need to prosper in these market conditions."

About 225 employees globally* are in the scope of the transaction, of which approximately 175 are located in Asia. The combined textiles businesses will remain headquartered in Singapore, close to customers in Asia's fast-growing textile markets.

*The closing of the transaction for the legal entity BASF Pakistan (Private) Ltd., Karachi in Pakistan is expected to take place in August 2015.


                                                                From left to right: Aaron Davenport, Managing Director of SK Capital Partners
                                                               Christian Fischer, President of BASF's Performance Chemicals division. (Photo: Archroma)
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Media Relations
Muriel Werlé
Archroma
+41 61 716 3375 or +41 79 536 9117
muriel.werle@archroma.com
Kevin Noels
EMG
+31 164 317 011
knoels@emg-pr.com


About Archroma
Archroma is a global color and specialty chemicals company committed to innovation, world-class quality standards, high service levels, cost-efficiency and sustainability. Archroma is headquartered in Reinach near Basel, Switzerland, and operates with approximately 3000 employees over 35 countries. Through its three businesses: Textile Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products, Archroma delivers specialized performance and color solutions to meet customer needs in their local markets.
Archroma helps people fulfill their desire for products that appeal to their emotions and senses for a greater life experience, by developing beauty- and performance-improving technologies applied to everyday products. Products enhanced, colors enhanced, performance enhanced – "Life enhanced".
Further information on Archroma is available at www.archroma.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world's leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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