WR Grace, Global Supplier of Catalysts, Acquires Polyolefin Catalysts Business of BASF

United States: WR Grace, a United States based global supplier of catalysts and specialty materials, has acquired the polyolefin business of BASF, which is a German based chemical manufacturer on June 30, 2016. The financial transactions details associated with the acquisition have not been revealed yet. Post-acquisition, Grace would own LYNX high-activity polyethylene (PE) catalyst technologies and LYNX polypropylene (PP) catalyst technologies of BASF. Grace would have rights over the patents and trademarks of the BASF and would have legal rights on production plants in Pasadena, Texas, and Tarragona, Spain. After the complete closure of acquisition, 170 employees of BASF have joined Grace.

TechSci Research depicts that the acquisition of polyolefin catalysts business of BASF by Grace would strengthen the market position of the latter company. The deal would improve the manufacturing network of WR Grace. Furthermore, acquisition would increase the customer base of Grace and the company would be in the state of meeting the varied demand of its customers by the expanded product portfolio.

According to the recent report published by TechSci Research, “Iran Oil Refinery Chemicals Market By Type (Merchant Hydrogen, Refining Catalysts, etc.), By Application (Petroleum Conversion, Petroleum Treatment, Water and Wastewater Treatment and Others), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 – 2021”, the oil refinery chemicals market in Iran is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5% over the next five years. In 2015, merchant hydrogen held the largest share in the Iran oil refinery chemicals market, owing to growing demand for hydrogen due to its ability to remove undesirable pollutants from crude oil products. Refining catalysts, pH adjusters and corrosion inhibitors are the other major oil refinery chemicals consumed in Iran.