BASF signs cooperation agreement with Solvias

BASF has signed a cooperation agreement with Solvias, of Basel in Switzerland.

Solvias is a leading global player in the development and marketing of asymmetric hydrogenation technologies and has one of the world's largest ligand libraries. In cooperation with Solvias, BASF will use these ligands to manufacture optically active intermediates for the life science industry.

BASF markets an extensive portfolio of optically active amines, alcohols, epoxides, acids and their derivatives under its ChiPros brand. 'We continuously develop new intermediates using state of the art technologies. In selected cases, we engage in strategic partnerships to enhance our strong technology platform,' said Dr Karin Sperling, BASF director global new business development chemical intermediates. 'The ligands provided by Solvias will allow us to act in response to more customer queries using the best technology in each individual case.'

The strategic partnership with Solvias will allow BASF to implement the asymmetric hydrogenation technology more rapidly on an industrial scale, according to Solvias ceo Hansjoerg Walther. 'Our focus with an industrial relevance and customer-specific licensing models for the use of chiral Solvias ligands is paying off. It's giving another manufacturing company access to an increasingly important technology.'