In a deal whose financial details were not disclosed, BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) has confirmed that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its hydrophilic melt additives business, marketed under the brand name “Irgasurf”, to US additives and colour manufacturer Techmer PM (Clinton, Tennessee; www.techmerpm.com).

BASF said the transaction will not include a transfer of the “Irgasurf” trademark, nor will it affect tangible assets or personnel, adding that the decision to sell the business was another outgrowth of the integration of the former Ciba plastic additives business – see Plasteurope.com of 20.04.2009.

Commenting on the deal, John Manuck, president and CEO of Techmer PM, said the business “complements our existing product line and strong presence in the markets of fibres and nonwovens.” Techmer PM recently bought colouring specialist Accel Color (Naperville, Illinois / USA, www.accelcolor2.com) – see also Plasteurope.com of 31.03.2010.