BASF to Cut Jobs in Resins, Pigments
WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2013
German chemicals giant BASF has announced a global restructuring plan that will eliminate 500 positions by the end of 2015.
The plan will affect BASF's Performance Products business, which includes pigments and resins, plastic additives, water, leather and textile chemicals, the world's largest chemical company said.
|
|
| BASF |
|
The restructuring plan includes BASF's Pigments & Resins unit in Europe. |
"BASF is taking a number of steps to strengthen the competitiveness of its Performance Products segment," according to the Ludwigshafen-based company. The company wants to streamline processes, invest in new technologies, and adjust "its portfolio and organizational setup," BASF said.
“In some market segments, increasing standardization and the entry of new competitors have changed the business environment significantly,” BASF said. "This especially applies to the markets for plastic additives and pigments as well as for water, leather and textile chemicals."
Restructuring in Switzerland
BASF says it aims to improve the "efficiency and profitability" of the Plastic Additives and Pigments & Resins businesses in Europe, which are mainly located in the Basel, Switzerland, area.
In the Pigments & Resins business unit, European product and quality management and product safety will be pooled in Ludwigshafen. Global product management lead will be bundled in Hong Kong, BASF said.
 |
| BASF |
|
BASF's restructuring in the Basel area will eliminate up to 350 positions by the end of 2015. |
“In this way, synergies can be generated by bundling expertise and competencies,” the company said.
In the Plastic Additives business, technology and strategy management, controlling and other support functions will be consolidated in Ludwigshafen.
Scale Down and Align
The adjusted market strategies will lead to a decrease in the need for product-related research in plastic additives and pigments in the Research Center Basel. The center “will be scaled down and better aligned with the further developed strategy of BASF,” according to the announcement.
Also, there will be less need for administrative services provided by the Business Center Switzerland for the BASF Group companies in the country, BASF said.
The company says it intends to find job opportunities in other BASF group companies for as many employees as possible.
Leather, Textiles Go to China
BASF says it will increase its focus on the growing Asia Pacific region and applications for the leather automotive industry and premium textile articles. The global R&D activities for both businesses will be established in Shanghai, China.
In addition, BASF announced that it is implementing a previously announced measure concerning its businesses with water, oilfield and mining solutions. The company is combining those businesses into a new global unit, it said.
The company noted that "further measures are being analyzed worldwide."
Tagged categories: BASF; Coating chemistry; Coatings raw materials manufacturers; Coatings Technology; Coatings technology; Pigments; Raw materials; Resins
