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BASF and ASC Investment (“ASC”) close sale of the De Meern catalysts site

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BASF and ASC successfully closed the sale of the catalysts site in De Meern, the Netherlands on August 31, 2023. ASC will continue to operate the site and supply existing and new customers under the name IQatalyst B.V. starting September 1, 2023.

The employees at the site will transfer to IQatalyst effective September 1, 2023. IQatalyst will continue to serve the oleochemical as well as the (petro-) chemical industry with Fischer-Tropsch catalysts and Fat and Oil CATalysts (FOCAT) out of De Meern. 

ASC Investment currently operates a portfolio of companies headquartered in Western Europe but with global activities, from Eastern Europe, the Americas to Asia, operating in the general industrial, automotive, automation, building materials, lighting solutions, business process outsourcing and the chemical industry. 

BASF decided to sell the site and the related Fischer-Tropsch and FOCAT portfolio to increase the effectiveness of its global chemical catalysts production network. Following a competitive auction process, ASC was selected as the best new home of the De Meern catalysts business. BASF continues to sell a broad variety of chemical and refinery catalysts from its other production sites in Europe, Asia, and the United States. 

Johannes Pichler, Managing Partner of ASC, commented: “We are delighted that BASF has chosen ASC as the best owner for its De Meern catalysts production site. IQatalyst is the leading player in its fields and is well known by its customers around the globe for its high-quality products. With a 130 years history, IQatalyst has a strong heritage in developing innovative and high efficiency catalysts, which is the perfect base for launching a phase of product and market expansions.” 

“We are excited about the opportunity to develop IQatalyst on a standalone basis and could not have asked for a better partner for our mission to become the leading and most innovative player in our field,” commented Dr. Robert Terörde, Managing Director of IQatalyst. “Throughout the very complex and challenging carve-out process it became apparent that ASC Investment, with its entrepreneurial and hands-on approach, will enable IQatalyst to fully leverage on its capabilities. This will lead to the right focus and an even stronger market position. Having an active sparring partner is of utmost importance, especially in a dynamic market environment.” 

About IQatalyst

IQatalyst (formerly BASF’s Process Catalysts site in De Meern) is a catalysts manufacturer based in the Netherlands that offers innovative proprietary products and catalyst solutions for the oleochemical industry as well as the (petro-)chemical industry. With over 100 years of experience in catalysts manufacturing we provide innovative products to the market and support our customers with our dedicated Research and Development department. We help to adapt to the challenges of a more sustainable future.

About ASC Investment

ASC Investment is an industrial holding group based in Luxembourg and Munich, focusing on carve-out transactions from large corporation and succession situations in Europe. ASC is an entrepreneurial investor, actively supporting the daily operations and the strategic development of its portfolio companies, through its operational expert task force, but also through financial support and add-on acquisitions. ASC is led by a group of experienced and proven investment and industry professionals and is focusing on challenging investment situations. The ASC team has been investing in pan-European transactions since 2010 and has executed more than 40 complex special situations / carve-out transactions. Further information at: www.asc-investment.com

About BASF

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 111,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio comprises six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €87.3 billion in 2022. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States. Further information at: www.basf.com