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German chemical company BASF exits Xinjiang ventures in China after Uyghur abuse reports (www.france24.com)
submitted 1 day ago by Hotznplotzn to c/europe@feddit.org
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BASF said in a statement it had completed the sale of its shares in Markor Chemical Manufacturing and Markor Meiou Chemical to the Singaporean group Verde Chemical.

The German group gave no financial details of the transaction, which was completed on Monday "following approval by the relevant authorities".

BASF had said in February 2024 it would accelerate its divestment from the joint ventures which manufacture the industrial chemical butanediol.

Plans to sell the shares had already been announced by BASF in 2023 in response to commercial and environmental concerns.

German public broadcaster ZDF and news magazine Der Spiegel had reported that staff of BASF's partner firm Markor were involved in rights abuses against members of the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority.

Employees were alleged to have spied on Uyghur families and filed reports with Chinese authorities.

[...]

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[โ€“] barsoap@lemm.ee 3 points 16 hours ago* (last edited 16 hours ago)

Zyklon B wasn't really an I.G. Farben product, it was developed (as a pesticide) and primarily produced by Degesch, a subsidiary of Degussa, now Evonik. I.G. Farben bought 30% of Degesch shares in 1930, increasing to 42.6% in 1936, that's the connection. Degussa also processed tooth gold. Ultimately the people hanged at the gallows for Zyklon B were none of the producers but (aside from the ones doing the poisoning) the distributors, in particular for supplying Zyklon B without odorant. The inventor got an aquittal after sitting six years in remand.

I guess the whole Zyklon B to I.G. Farben connection is very much influenced by the high-profile process and forced breakup of the conglomerate. Judging by current evilness I'd definitely put Bayer on top. Back then as now, I guess: No, not Nazis, but profiteers without scruples: Plundering industry in conquered lands, forced labour, that's mostly what I.G. Farben executives were sentenced for. Not guilty verdicts on the bringing Nazis to power part, being SS members, and preparing for war of aggression, though they certainly made money off producing for the war.