Ciba is a chemical company based in and near Basel, Switzerland. "Ciba" stands for "Chemische Industrie Basel" (Chemical Industries Basel). It was formed as the non-pharmaceuticals elements of Novartis were spun out in 1997, following the merger in the previous year of Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz that created Novartis.

They make products in the following areas: Agriculture, Automotive, Construction & Pipes, Electronic materials, Extractive & Process Technologies, Home & Fabric Care, Inks & Graphics, Lubricants, Monomers & Water Soluble Polymers, Packaging, Paints and Coatings, Paper, Personal Care, Photo & Digital Imaging, Plastics & Rubber, Textiles & Fibers, Water treatment
The company is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange (stock symbol: CIBN).

History

Part of the merger agreement between Ciba Geigy and Sandoz was that the former's industrial chemicals business would be spun off as a separate business, leading to the formation of Ciba Specialty Chemicals plc.

In 2004 Ciba bought paper chemical manufacturer Raisio Chemicals from Raisio Group. In 2006, Ciba divested its Textile Dyes and Chemical Auxiliaries business in a sale to Huntsman Corporation.

In 2007 the company announced the intention to adopt the name Ciba Inc.

Ciba's board of directors agreed to a €3.4 billion takeover offer from BASF, the world's largest chemicals company, on 15 September 2008.

Board of Directors

• Michael Heinz Chief Executive Officer

• Armin Meyer Chairman of the Board

• Beat W. Hess Vice Chairman of the Board

• Utz-Hellmuth Felcht Member of the Board

• Erwin W. Heri Member of the Board

• Gertrud Höhler Member of the Board

• Jean-Marie Pierre Lehn Member of the Board

• Peter Littmann Member of the Board

• Uli Sigg Member of the Board