BASF : acquires Rolic AG, a specialist in light management for advanced LCD/OLED displays

• Rolic's technology and products boost contrast and brilliance of LCD and OLED displays
• Acquisition broadens technology platform and product portfolio of BASF's display materials business

On February 7, BASF acquired the private company Rolic AG headquartered in Allschwil, Switzerland. Both companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. The transaction includes Rolic's affiliates in Allschwil, Eindhoven, The Netherlands and Shanghai, China. Regulatory approvals are not required.

Rolic is an innovative high-tech company with worldwide operations. The company's 110 highly-skilled employees develop and sell ready-to-use formulations and functional film products for the display and security industry against forgery as well as barrier materials and films.

Rolic is a market and technology leader in photoalignment materials. Panel makers use Rolic's technology to meet the needs of end consumers looking for products featuring optimum image quality with high contrast and brilliance, as well as very low energy consumption.

'We are excited to have the Rolic team join BASF. The acquisition is a further step that reflects BASF's strategic and long-term commitment to grow in the electronics industry,' said Dr. Markus Kramer, President of BASF's Dispersions & Pigments division.

'Our ability to deliver best-in-class technology solutions for next generation electronic devices and our local presence in all major markets are key success factors to respond to customer needs in this fast-moving, innovation-driven industry. We are convinced that bringing Rolic's strong technology know-how and customer relationships together with BASF's market reach will create new opportunities for co-developing next generation LCD and OLED displays featuring higher resolution, more brightness and deeper contrast,' said Dr. Lothar Laupichler, Senior Vice President of BASF's Global Electronic Materials Business.

About BASF's Dispersions & Pigments division
The Dispersions & Pigments division of BASF develops, produces and markets a range of high-quality pigments, resins, additives and polymer dispersions worldwide. These raw materials are used in formulations for coatings and paints, printing and packaging products, construction chemicals, adhesives, fiber bondings, plastics, paper as well as for electronic applications such as displays. With its comprehensive product portfolio and its extensive knowledge of the industry, the Dispersions & Pigments division offers its customers innovative and sustainable solutions and helps them advance their formulations. For further information about the Dispersions & Pigments division, please visit www.dispersions-pigments.basf.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.