BASF closes divestiture of its kaolin minerals business to Ka Min
The kaolin minerals business has approximately 440 employees, including personnel in North America, Europe and Asia. It generated sales of around EUR 171 million in 2021.
Production hub, mines, reserves and mills
The divestiture comprises the production hub with sites in Daveyville, Toddville, Edgar, Gordon and related mines, reserves and mills in Toomsboro and Sandersville in Georgia, United States. The co-located refinery catalysts operations will continue to be owned and operated by BASF’s refinery catalysts business and are not part of the divestiture.
Kaolin is used as a white pigment for the production of coating colours and paints. In paper production, it has a dual role as a filler in the bulk and a coating pigment for coatings. In polyethylene, kaolin can be used as a filler to increase the modulus of elasticity.