M&As: BASF to sell Styrodur XPS business to Bachl; DKSH acquires Malaysian calibration equipment provider
![BASF to sell Styrodur XPS business to Bachl BASF to sell Styrodur XPS business to Bachl](http://plasticsandrubberasia.com/images/jan2025/basf.jpg)
Germany’s BASF has signed an agreement with Karl Bachl Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co. for the sale of its business with Styrodur, an insulation material made from extruded polystyrene (XPS). Bachl is one of the leading manufacturers of insulation materials in Germany, an experienced XPS producer and a long-standing Styrodur distribution partner of BASF. Terms were not disclosed.
The sale also includes the brand Styrodur. Approximately 50 employees in production, marketing and sales at BASF SE are involved in this business. The affected employees will remain with BASF SE. Subject to the approval of the relevant competition authorities, the completion of the sale is expected by mid-2025.
“With the sale of the Styrodur business, BASF is consistently focusing its strategy on expandable polystyrene with our well-known brands Neopor and Styropor,” said Dr. Klaus Ries, Head of Business Management Styrenics Europe at BASF. Already in October 2024, BASF announced an expansion of Neopor production capacity in Ludwigshafen by 50,000 tonnes to 250,000 tonnes/year starting in early 2027, to expand its expandable polystyrene (EPS) capacity.
![DKSH acquires Malaysian calibration equipment provider DKSH acquires Malaysian calibration equipment provider](http://plasticsandrubberasia.com/images/jan2025/DKSH.jpg)
In other news, Swiss market services provider DKSH says that it has closed the acquisition of CLMO Technology Sdn Bhd an ISO 17025 calibration and test laboratory service provider for the semiconductor, automotive, oil & gas industry as well as academia and research institutions with business locations in Malaysia and Vietnam. With this transaction, DKSH extends both its semiconductor & electronics and scientific solutions business lines. Terms were not disclosed.
CLMO provides services across the entire value chain of its clients and customers, including pre-sales consulting, sale and customisation of equipment and accessories/spare parts, installation and commissioning, service training, technical support and maintenance of equipment, and calibration.
Established in 1993, CLMO is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and employs around 50 people. The company generates annual net sales of slightly less than CHF10 million at good profitability and benefits from longstanding relationships with renowned clients, it adds.
DKSH acquires 100% of the business and its management team will join DKSH’s Business Unit Technology. Around 75% of CLMO’s net sales will be attributed to technology’s business line semiconductor & electronics, while 25% will be recorded under scientific solutions, therefore supporting two of the business unit’s most targeted business lines for future growth.
Hanno Elbraechter, Head Business Unit Technology at DKSH, said: “We are very happy to see CLMO join DKSH. In line with our Business Unit’s strategy, the acquisition will grow both our business lines Semiconductor & Electronics and Scientific Solutions and thus further solidify our position as a leading technology solutions provider in Asia Pacific. The complementary client and product portfolios, the breadth of provided services, as well as the joint expertise of both companies’ highly trained employees will ensure we will continue to add value for our clients and customers across the entire value chain.”
Km Chua, Director of CLMO, commented: “The combination with DKSH, a leading technology solutions provider in Asia Pacific, marks the next milestone in our successful 30-year history. As we benefit from enlarged geographical reach through DKSH’s regional presence, our portfolio will support DKSH in further anchoring its strong market presence in key southeast Asian growth markets Malaysia and Vietnam. This step will benefit all our business partners as well as our valued employees. We look forward with joy to a shared future.”
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