Acquisition of Cognis Japan by BASF is legally completed

BASF started business in Japan in 1888. Source: Frank Eckgold - Fotolia.com

BASF Japan announced to complete its legal consolidation with Cognis Japan effective 1 October 2011. The legal entity of Cognis Japan will be dissolved accordingly. Tomoyoshi Naruo, President of BASF Japan stated: "The businesses of Cognis and BASF complement each other very well. We are confident that the completion of the merger with Cognis Japan will contribute to further strengthening our portfolio of specialty chemicals, allowing us to offer more attractive products and boost innovations for our customers in the personal and home care, nutrition and health and coating additives market." Naruo added: "Sustainable development will continue to underpin our approach." The business operations of Cognis Japan have been part of the BASF Performance Products division since 1 May 2011. BASF started business in Japan in 1888. The BASF Group in Japan consists of seven companies with BASF Japan Ltd at its core. Main production sites are in Yokkaichi (thermoplastic polyurethanes [TPU] and polymer dispersions), Chigasaki (admixtures for concrete, construction chemicals) and Totsuka (coatings). In the year 2010, BASF in Japan accounted for a total of 1,700 employees, and had sales of EUR 1.7 billion.