The divestment of the flocculants business to Solenis is part of BASF's ongoing portfolio optimisation with the aim of focusing on strategic core areas. Subject to approval, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.

BASF's flocculant product portfolio includes products used for the separation of solids and liquids as well as material handling in mining applications.

“BASF continuously evaluates its product portfolio to sharpen our strategic focus. The search for strategic partners plays an important role in this. For our flocculants’ portfolio for mining applications, we have found such a partner in Solenis, and we are confident that the divestiture will further promote and develop the product range in the future to meet customer needs,” said Anup Kothari, member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE.

“We are convinced that the agreement with Solenis will deliver significant value to our mining customers,” added Caren Hoffmann, Vice President, heading BASF’s mining solutions business. “At the same time, we will thus be able to further concentrate on the continued development and commercialization of our flotation reagents and expanding our innovative solutions in the field of solvent extraction and leaching.”

In 2019, BASF had already divested its paper wet-end and water chemicals business to Solenis, creating a leading global solutions provider for the paper and water treatment industry. As part of this combination, mid- to long-term supply agreements and business relationships were agreed between BASF and Solenis, including supply agreements for polyacrylamide and polyacrylamide-based products, which already included the divestment of production sites in Bradford and Grimsby, UK, as well as in Kwinana, Australia.