Quest $1.13 bil. business going to ICI as part of Unilever specialty chemicals divestiture.

ICI PURCHASE OF QUEST $1.13 BIL. FLAVORS, FRAGRANCES BUSINESS as part of the London-based Imperial Chemical Industries acquisition of Unilever's specialty chemicals unit would help ICI "shift...its business profile toward specialty chemicals tailored to meet specific consumer needs," the company announced May 7. In addition to Quest, Unilever's $4.8 bil. specialty chemicals unit includes adhesives, resins and starch manufacturer National Starch and Chemical; the oleochemicals and nickel catalysts business Unichema International; and the inorganic chemicals producer Crosfield. The personal care products giant placed the unit on the selling block in February ("The Rose Sheet" Feb. 17, In Brief). The buy would increase ICI's business by almost 50%; ICI registered consolidated sales of $10.25 bil. in 1996.