Germany's Merck Divests Non-Pharma Operations to BASF

German drugmaker Merck KgaA has announced that it has sold its electronic chemicals business to German industrial giant BASF for EUR270mn (US$351.91mn). The company will now focus on its pharmaceuticals and main chemicals businesses. However, employees at Merck KgaA's toll manufacturing electronic chemicals subsidiary in Darmstadt, Germany, will nevertheless remain employees of the parent company. The decision to withdraw from electronic chemicals, which are used in computer chip manufacturing, has been attributed to the ongoing restructuring of German industry, and should improve the drugmaker's international focus.