BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) is selling its “Vinuran” acrylate-based PVC modifiers portfolio to Kaneka Belgium, the European subsidiary of Japan’s Kaneka Corporation (Osaka / Japan; www.kaneka.co.jp). Financial details of the deal set to close in Q1 2014 following antitrust approval are not being disclosed. Included are intangible assets and inventory, with production facilities at Ludwigshafen remaining with BASF.

The German group said it has identified the modifiers used by the building industry as a non- core business. The sale will free up resources that can be pumped into its acrylate-based dispersions portfolio. The acquisition will allow Kaneka to expand its offerings to PVC converters.