Germany-based BASF, manufacturer and supplier of plastic additives, has announced that it has decided to discontinue plans for a joint venture with Astra Polymer Compounding Co., Ltd. to produce customer specific antioxidant blends (CSB) in the Middle East Region. The joint venture plans were based on an agreement between Astra Polymer and the Plastic Additives business of former Ciba AG which has been acquired by BASF in 2009. The termination of the joint venture plans will have no impact on the existing tolling agreement between the companies to produce customer specific antioxidant blends for the region.