The deal covers all IMEX’s offset printing inks facilities and includes the transfer of 57 IMEX employees across to Quantum Capital, although it said staff will remain at the existing IMEX facility in Maastricht.

Quantum Capital anticipates that the deal will be closed in the third quarter of 2012.

BASF sold its printing inks and printing plates business to CVC Capital Partners in 2004, while The IMEX business was part of BASF’s acquisition of Ciba in 2009.

At Maastricht, BASF currently produces offset printing inks and pigment preparations for the plastics industry, the pigment preparations activities will be continued by BASF.

However, it plans to decrease the number of employees in the pigment preparations department from 92 to 73 by the end of 2013, with some BASF employees affected by the planned restructuring to be offered a transfer to the IMEX, and subsequently Quantum.