BASF is reorganizing its paper, water, oilfield and mining businesses within the Performance Chemicals division to foster customer and industry focus and increase competitiveness.

In the Water Solutions and Paper Chemicals businesses cost leadership, operational and commercial excellence as well as efficient and reliable supply are key success factors. Thus, BASF is combining these two businesses to form a new global business unit “Paper & Water.” Merging the two businesses will enable efficiency gains and create additional market opportunities.

The Oilfield and Mining Solutions businesses operate in markets that are driven by differentiation to create sustainable industry solutions together with customers. Success factors for suppliers to these industries are technology and innovation leadership as well as engineering and application expertise. “Oilfield & Mining Solutions” will operate as a global business unit. Dedicated industry teams will increase effectiveness and focus on developing and commercializing innovative and sustainable products to support the predominantly global customers in optimizing their yields.

Both global business units will be headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The changes will be effective as of January 1, 2016. The company expects overall a reduction of about 120 positions worldwide until the end of 2016 resulting from the alignment and refocussing of business structures.

“The further development of our organization will strengthen customer focus. The stepwise expansion of our polymer production network and investments in bio-acrylamide raw materials as well as the launch of innovative products will accelerate profitable growth,” said Prof. Dr. Christian Fischer, President of the Performance Chemicals division.