Proventis Partners advised BASF on the sale of its optical brightening agents business to Catexel.
Optical brightening agents are ingredients in laundry detergent formulations and the business currently sits within BASF’s Care Chemicals division.
The sale includes the global business, the production facilities for optical brighteners at the Monthey site in Switzerland and around 80 employees.
This divestment supports BASF’s broader strategic transformation. “As part of our ‘Winning Ways’ strategy, we are actively shaping our portfolio and sharpening our priorities. With Catexel, the business will have a dedicated and focused owner who can unlock its full potential,” said Mary Kurian, President of Care Chemicals.
Catexel, part of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG), serves as ICIG’s Care Chemicals platform and specializes in high‑quality specialty chemicals for detergents, cleaning products, personal care and industrial applications. By acquiring the optical brighteners business and its production assets, Catexel is signaling a clear strategic expansion – broadening its offering of premium detergent ingredients and reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in the market.
“This acquisition represents another important milestone for Catexel,” said Dr. Alexander Snell, President & CEO of Catexel. “With the advanced production facility and skilled team in Switzerland, we are establishing a strong foundation for continued growth and innovation. This strengthens our role as a reliable partner for our customers and supports our strategic ambitions.”
BASF will continue to be a leading supplier and innovator of ingredients for the home care and industrial & institutional cleaning sectors.
The sale of BASF’s optical brightening agent business to Catexel was completed end of February 2026.
