BASF has signed an agreement with Solenis, a global producer of specialty chemicals headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, to sell BASF’s flocculants business for mining applications.

Mining flocculants help to aggregate fine particles in water and enhance the settling of solids. Flocculants can work by charge neutralization or by physically binding particles together. Flocculants are used in the mining industry to improve the dewatering and management of tailings and other fluid load.

The divestment of BASF’s flocculants business to Solenis is part of BASF’s portfolio optimization, aiming to focus on core strategic areas. Pending approval by the relevant merger control authorities, the transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the transaction.

The product portfolio includes products used for solid liquid separation and material handling in mining applications under the trademarks Magnafloc, Rheomax, Alclar, Alcotac, Jetwet, Aerowet and Alcotech. With activities across the globe, the business has established a strong presence in key mining regions.

In 2019, BASF transferred its paper wet-end and water chemicals business to Solenis, creating a leading global solutions provider for the paper and water treatment industries and agreed on mid- to long-term supply agreements and commercial relationships between BASF and Solenis. The agreement included supply for polyacrylamide and polyacrylamide-based products, which already involved the divestiture of production sites in Bradford and Grimsby, England, and in Kwinana, Australia.

Solenis is a global producer of specialty chemicals for water intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining, power and municipal markets. The company has 69 manufacturing facilities with more than 16,000 employees.