Ciba Specialty Chemicals Company, Muttenz, Switzerland, has signed an agreement to sell its Masterbatch business to Clariant, Basel, Switzerland. The divestment is expected to be concluded in the fourth quarter of 2006 after the necessary regulatory approvals. The sales price was not disclosed.

All approximately 300 employees will transfer to Clariant. The Ciba Masterbatch business, with sales of CHF 80 million, operates in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and France.

Armin Meyer, chairman of the board and CEO of Ciba Specialty Chemicals, comments, "We have decided to divest the Masterbatch business as part of our strategic portfolio management, aiming to further strengthen our focus on the core businesses, Plastic Additives, Coating Effects and Water & Paper Treatment."