Markets Wired

The FTC is seeking public comments on a petition by BASF SE for approval to divest Ciba Holding Inc.’s Indanthrone Blue (IB) and Bismuth Vanadate (BV) Pigments Businesses to Dominion Colour Corporation. Divestiture of the two businesses is required by a Commission consent order issued on May 14, 2009. The FTC order was issued to resolve competitive concerns raised by the BASF’s acquisition of Ciba, and required BASF to divest a range of assets to an FTC-approved acquirer. To comply with parts of order, BASF has now petitioned the Commission to permit it to divest those assets to Dominion Colour.

The Commission is accepting public comments on the proposed divestiture until November 17, 2009. To file a public comment, please click on the following link: https://public.commentworks.com/ftc/BASFpetition and follow the instructions at that site. Copies of the petition can be found on the FTC’s Web site and as a link to this press release. (FTC File No. Docket No. C-4253; the staff contact is Eric D. Rohlck, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2681; see press release dated April 2, 2009, at: http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/04/basf.shtm.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.

(FYI 48.2009.wpd)