Breasclete factory taken over by German firm 9/5/12
The pharmaceutical factory
at Breasclete on Lewis, has been taken over by German chemical company BASF.
Equateq has 47 employees and produces fatty acids called lipids which are rich in Omega 3 and used in a wide variety of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.
BASF said the Breasclete company held unique technology for customized fatty acid production and had potential to expand production for a growing market.
Walter Dissinger, President of BASF’s Nutrition and Health division said: “We are further strengthening our position as a leading supplier of ingredients for the nutrition and health industries.”
Adam Kelliher, former owner and founder of Equateq, said: “ Bringing together the
two companies allows us to combine the global market reach and the long-
The Breasclete staff will now be integrated into BASF’s Nutrition and Health division by the end of this year.
The companies have agreed not to disclose financial details of the transaction. Equateq produces fatty acids called lipids which are rich in Omega 3 and used in a wide variety of pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: involved in chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas.
Archie Macdonald of development agency HIE said: “HIE has helped Equateq grow into an international leader in a highly specialised and growing market, and its acquisition by BASF is a real vote of confidence in the company's products, its workforce and its location on Lewis.
'This deal secures just under 50 good quality jobs at Breasclate, and there is every likelihood that BASF will wish to expand operations further on the site.
'It's great news for the business and for Lewis, which shows that an island location can be competitive in a global marketplace.
'HIE has been very pleased to work with Adam Kelliher and his team at Equateq over many years to establish and grow this important business, and we are delighted they have managed to secure this investment.'
Minister for Enterprise Fergus Ewing said: 'This is a major and very welcome development for the Western Isles, securing investment and high quality jobs for the Isle of Lewis.
'Equateq is a great example of a Scottish success story, using a highly skilled team
of experts and Scotland's marine and biological natural resources to produce and
manufacture concentrated omega-