January 18, 2025 – Chemical Giant BASF Announces Major Business Realignment: Styrodur® Insulation Material Sold to BACHL
At the beginning of the new year 2025, BASF, a leading chemical company, has announced a significant business adjustment by transferring its Styrodur® insulation material business to Karl Bachl Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co. KG (hereinafter referred to as BACHL), a renowned German insulation material manufacturer. The two parties have officially signed the relevant agreement, which covers not only the Styrodur® product line but also the ownership of the brand.
Styrodur®, an efficient insulation material made of extruded polystyrene (XPS), enjoys a good reputation in the market. As a leading player in the field of XPS production in Germany, BACHL has been a long-term partner of BASF and has also been responsible for the distribution of Styrodur® products. This business transfer undoubtedly presents an opportunity for both parties to deepen their cooperation and achieve win-win development.
According to AsiaMB, around 50 employees in the production, marketing, and sales departments of BASF Europe will be affected by this transaction. However, these employees will remain with BASF Europe to ensure a smooth transition of the business. Currently, the transaction is subject to approval by the relevant competition authorities and is expected to be officially completed in mid-2025. Both parties have agreed to keep the financial details of the transaction confidential.
Dr. Klaus Ries, head of BASF’s styrene business management in Europe, stated, “The sale of the Styrodur® business is part of BASF’s strategic adjustment. We will focus more on the development of expandable polystyrene (EPS) and continue to drive the growth of well-known brands such as Neopor® and Styropor®.” It is worth mentioning that as early as October 2024, BASF announced plans to expand the capacity of Neopor® in Ludwigshafen by 50,000 tons to 250,000 tons per year, further demonstrating its ambition to expand in the European EPS market.