BASF AG, Germany, has combined its Leather and Textile Chemicals businesses into one global organization with two separate operations in order to meet individual market demands. The new Performance Chemicals for Leather and Textiles global business unit will open its headquarters in Singapore at the beginning of next year. The business will locate regional teams in important global markets.

“We have been improving our structures in the two businesses and customers can now benefit from the global management combined with a strong regional presence,” said Dr. Reinhard Leppkes, newly appointed head of Performance Chemicals for Leather and Textiles. “Furthermore, we will continue working closely with customers to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the leather and textile industries.”

In addition to Leppkes, the new management team includes Thomas Sattler, head of Global Business Management Leather, and Jarnadhanan Ramanujalu, head of Global Business Management Textiles.

In other news, BASF will, effective immediately or as contracts allow, increase the price of its PolyTHF® polytetrahydrofuran by $150 per metric ton worldwide. BASF attributes the increase to high demand as well as high energy and raw material costs.

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September 18, 2007