BASF completes orgamol acquisition

German chemical company BASF has completed its acquisition of Orgamol, a transaction designed to boost its service offering to the pharmaceutical sector.

The acquisition boosts BASF into the top ten providers of pharmaceutical contract manufacturing services, said the company in a statement.

Orgamol produces fine chemicals, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), intermediates and generics. Last year, the company posted sales of €100 million. Besides its primary operations at two sites in Evionnaz, Switzerland, where it employs 320 people, the company also operates a second production site in Saint-Vulbas, France (pictured), with 150 staff.

"The acquisition strengthens our position in the attractive pharmaceutical contract manufacturing market on a sustainable basis. The next step is to work together to integrate Orgamol's activities rapidly and successfully into our existing portfolio," said Dr Wolfgang Buechele, head of BASF's fine chemicals division.

According to Orgamol's website, the company is specialised in phosgenation, catalytic hydrogenation, azide chemistry, catalytic reductions at pressures of up to 12 bar, cryogenic chemistry, hydride reductions with sodium borohydride or lithium aluminium hydride, organometallic chemistry and halogenations, especially chlorination and bromination.