BASF to Sell Kaolin Minerals Business to US Firm

American performance minerals supplier KaMin LLC/CADAM S.A. has inked an agreement to purchase the kaolin minerals business from BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. If approved by regulators, the transaction will include a production hub and related mines, reserves, and mills in Georgia.

“The acquisition of BASF’s kaolin business is a transformative step forward in KaMin’s strategy. The combination of these two complementary businesses allows us to further diversify our company into growth-oriented markets and augment our overall manufacturing and technical capabilities,” Michael W. Nelson, KaMin’s president and chief executive officer, said in a release announcing the deal. “By combining BASF’s calcine portfolio with KaMin’s hydrous products, we will be able to provide a compelling suite of kaolin-based performance mineral solutions to our distributor partners and customers globally.”

KaMin currently operates three plants in Georgia that produce performance minerals for use in construction, agriculture, packaging and other applications. BASF intends to retain its co-located refinery catalysts operations.

“BASF’s kaolin minerals business is a well-positioned player in the growing specialty industrial minerals market. Joining a global performance minerals player will provide a more conductive environment for longer term profitable growth for the business,” said Thomas Kloster, president of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division, in a statement.

The parties expect the deal to close in the second half of 2022.