Germany, Dec. 16 -- BASF and Catexel have signed an agreement on the sale of BASF's optical brightening agent business. Optical brightening agents are ingredients in laundry detergent formulations. The business is currently part of BASF's Care Chemicals division. Financial details of the transaction will not be disclosed. Closing is expected in the first quarter of 2026.The transaction comprises the international business including the production of optical brightening agents at the Monthey site in Switzerland and approximately 80 employees.This divestment contributes to BASF's strategic transformation. Catexel is the Care Chemicals platform of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG), specializing in high-quality specialty chemica...