BASF Completes Acquisition of Becker Underwood

BASF has completed the acquisition of Becker Underwood from Norwest Equity Partners, a U.S.-based private equity investment company, for a purchase price of $1.02 billion (€785 million). With the acquisition, BASF is now a leading global provider of technologies for biological seed treatment as well as seed treatment colorants and polymers. BASF has also expanded its product portfolio in the areas of biological crop protection, turf and horticulture, animal nutrition and landscape colorants and coatings.

In the coming months, a detailed integration plan will be developed by a joint team of BASF and Becker Underwood employees. Most businesses of Becker Underwood will join the newly established global business unit Functional Crop Care as part of BASF's Crop Protection division.

Within this new unit, BASF will merge its existing research, development and marketing activities in the areas of seed treatment, biological crop protection, plant health, as well as water and resource management with those of Becker Underwood. Becker Underwood's animal nutrition business will be integrated into BASF's Nutrition & Health division.

The newly formed global Functional Crop Care unit will become effective January 1, 2013. It will be headed by Dr. Juergen Huff, Senior Vice President.

Dr. Peter Innes, currently CEO of Becker Underwood, has accepted the position of Global Senior Advisor to the Crop Protection division. He will support the integration of Becker Underwood into BASF and the implementation of the Functional Crop Care unit.

In 2011, BASF's Crop Protection division reported sales of around €4.2 billion and is expecting another record year in 2012. With its products and services, BASF helps growers to improve their yields and the quality of their products.