BASF and Takeda.(Brief Article)

Beverage Industry, October, 2000

BASF and Takeda have signed an agreement to combine the vitamin units of the two companies. BASF Attiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Takeda Chemical Industries Ltd., Osaka, Japan, have agreed to combine their bulk vitamin businesses, which includes transferring part of Takeda's assets.

The combined businesses will have approximately 30 percent of the worldwide vitamin market. BASF, with 1999 sales of about $1.4 billion, ranks No. 2 in global vitamin sales. Takeda, has sales of nearly $240 million. Outside of Japan, BASF will assume sole responsibility for the worldwide marketing of the combined vitamin portfolio. In Japan, BASF will hold a 66 percent stake in Takeda and the companies will form a joint venture of sales and marketing.