BASF AG (HQ: D-67056 Ludwigshafen) and Imperial Chemicals Industries Plc, London, have completed negotiations on the acquisition of ICI's West European polypropylene business by BASF. Subject to necessary internal approvals, BASF will take over this business on March 1, 1994. Financial terms of the transactions will not be disclosed. The acquisition consists of production facilities in Wilton, Great Britain, and Rozenburg, the Netherlands, and also includes the "Procom" polypropylene compounding business. These polypropylene plants utilize technology licensed by BASF and have a total annual capacity of 300,000 t. 460 people employed in this business will transfer to BASF.

BASF currently markets about 300,000 t of polypropylene. After completion, BASF will become one of Europe's leading producers. According to BASF PP has above-average growth rates, especially for technical applications.