BASF will trim plastic additives & pigments businesses to strengthen competitiveness.

German chemicals giant BASF is taking steps to improve the competitiveness of its Performance Products segment. The segment's businesses serve diverse end-uses and include plastic additives, pigments, paper chemicals, ingredients for personal care, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as well as chemicals used in oil and gas production and mining. The company says that the measures currently being pursued will lead to a reduction of about 500 positions worldwide by the end of 2015. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]