BASF to acquire ailing Ciba

Published: 16-Sep-2008

The world’s biggest chemical company, BASF, has reached an agreement to buy struggling Swiss company Ciba for $3.04bn (SFr3.4bn). Ciba, which specialises in plastics additives, coatings, and water and paper treatment, reported a second-quarter loss of SFr606m last month, following a SFr595m impairment charge on its water and paper treatment division.


The world’s biggest chemical company, BASF, has reached an agreement to buy struggling Swiss company Ciba for $3.04bn (SFr3.4bn). Ciba, which specialises in plastics additives, coatings, and water and paper treatment, reported a second-quarter loss of SFr606m last month, following a SFr595m impairment charge on its water and paper treatment division.

The deal will make BASF a world leader in plastics additives and in chemicals for paper. “With the acquisition of Ciba we are strengthening our portfolio and expanding our leading position in speciality chemicals,” said Jürgen Hambrecht, chief executive, BASF.

BASF, which acquired the Engelhard Corporation in 2006, reported a 27% rise in net profit in the second quarter of 2008.

See more

You may also like

Colour Cosmetics

Kris Jenner makes MAC Cosmetics debut fronting Studio Fix campaign

Read more
Momager Jenner fronts the make-up giant’s latest campaign and joins a growing list of Gen X celebrities which are being tapped by beauty businesses in 2025

Trending Articles

  1. Seen snaps up former Ulta Beauty boss as Chief Marketing Officer Linh Peters previously served as Head of Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Ulta Beauty, overseeing the US beauty retailer’s loyalty programme and personalisation engine
  2. L'Oréal, LVMH and Luxottica named preferred buyers of Giorgio Armani empire The late Italian fashion designer has given purchasing priority to L'Oréal, along with LVMH, owned by the world’s richest man, Arnault Bernard, and eyewear brand Luxottica
  3. Glossier names Colin Walsh CEO as it aims to become ‘a true legacy brand’ Walsh, who has previously helmed the beauty divisions of Ouai and Procter & Gamble, will join the beauty company in October
  4. You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
    Click here to find out more.
    Maison Francis Kurkdjian turns heads with new $28,000 bottle of Baccarat Rouge 540 The fragrance giant has shocked consumers with its latest launch. Only 54 bottles of new Baccarat Rouge 540 Édition Millésime will be created each year, housed in a red crystal bottle with a 24-carat gold cap
  5. La Roche-Posay lands Law Roach for punny partnership marking 50th anniversary The L’Oréal-owned skin care brand has brought in the celebrity stylist alongside a cast of experts and creators for its ‘Brand Name’ Campaign in an attempt to connect with younger generations

Upcoming event

13th Annual Beauty Trends & Innovations Conference

24 September 2025 | London, UK See all

You may also like

Colour Cosmetics

Kris Jenner makes MAC Cosmetics debut fronting Studio Fix campaign

Momager Jenner fronts the make-up giant’s latest campaign and joins a growing list of Gen X celebrities which are being tapped by beauty businesses in 2025
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Retail

Meet BeautyShelf: the beauty app making the girls' group chat shoppable

Meet the best friends-turned-co-founders setting out to give the group chat a shoppable glow up that has already partnered with Space NK and Sephora
Finance

Tropic Skincare founder Susie Ma lands £20 million payout after Lord Alan Sugar buyback

The payout came amid a bumper year of trading for the skin care business in 2024, as revenues and pre-tax profits both saw significant gains
Retail

Sephora to launch ‘shoppable storefronts’ where influencers can curate beauty product buys

Content creators will be able to monetise their recommendations of Sephora beauty brands from next month
Finance

Natura & Co inks deal to sell Avon business in Central America

Brazilian beauty conglomerate Natura & Co has agreed to offload its Avon business in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic to Grupo PDC
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Ingredients

What is fenugreek?

Vincent Miralles discusses fenugreek’s potential in sustainable polymers for next-generation hair care
Finance

Kolmar Korea launches full operation of 2nd US factory, establishing K-beauty’s ‘tariff safe zone’ in America

New 17,805㎡ facility completed in Pennsylvania with an annual production capacity of 300 million units
Subscribe now