BASF to Cut 260 Nutrition & Health Division Positions by 2015

25 Apr 2014 --- BASF is implementing a series of measures within its Nutrition & Health division including the reduction of 260 jobs globally by 2015. The measures are designed to strengthen the competitiveness of its Performance Products segment.

BASF said it is adjusting its product portfolio in order to better meet changing consumer needs and regional demands. The company will focus its production in omega-3 fatty acids on the attractive market segment for highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids. As part of this strategy it plans to sell the Norwegian Brattvåg site, where it produces low concentrated omega-3 fatty acids.

Meanwhile, in Asia, BASF is building a citral plant with its partner Petronas to meet the growing demand of customers in the flavor and fragrance industry in the region. The first plants of the complex are expected to come on stream in 2016.

“We aim to strengthen our position in the growing nutrition and health market,” said Saori Dubourg, President of BASF’s Nutrition & Health division. “Through these measures we will adapt our business to better meet market and customer needs. At the same time, we will improve our profitability.”

Marketing, sales and administration will be better adjusted to regional market dynamics. A global team responsible for marketing and innovation will in future support the development of customer-oriented products and solutions as well as faster market launches of new products. BASF aims to accelerate the innovation cycle of products for its customers through strategic partnerships.

Due to the planned measures about 260 positions in production, marketing and administration will be reduced globally by end of 2015.

As part of its ongoing plans in the area of higher purity fatty acids, suitable for the pharmaceutical industry and top-end supplements, the company recently bought Norwegian fish oil maker Pronova BioPharma.

BASF’s Nutrition & Health division bundles the company’s products and solutions for human and animal nutrition, the flavor and fragrance industry as well as the pharmaceutical industry.