Kemira has agreed to divest its oil and gas chemicals portfolio to Sterling Specialty Chemicals, a US subsidiary of India’s Artek Group for €260 million subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. The company said that this will enable it “to focus on its core businesses and accelerate its profitable growth strategy”. The two parties expect to complete by the end of Q1 2024.

According to a report on Bloomberg that cited unnamed people involved, BASF and its private equity partner, Clayton Dubilier & Rice  (CD&R), are considering an exit from water treatment specialist Solenis and have been in talks with several special purpose acquisition companies. A price in the region of $5 billion is reportedly being sought. Neither party has commented on this speculation.