BASF has officially completed the sale of its optical brightening agent business to Catexel, marking the close of the transaction at the end of February 2026.
The deal covers the global business operations, including the production of optical brightening agents at the Monthey site in Switzerland. As part of the divestment, around 80 employees have transitioned to Catexel.
Optical brightening agents are key ingredients in laundry detergent formulations, enhancing the visual whiteness and brightness of fabrics.
Catexel operates as the Care Chemicals platform of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). The company specializes in high-quality specialty chemicals for detergents and cleaning products, personal care, and industrial applications.
While financial terms remain confidential, BASF emphasized that it continues to be a leading supplier with a comprehensive portfolio of ingredients for personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications.
