According to the on-line publication Chemical Engineering, German chemical giant BASF has made an offer to buy Ciba Holdings AG, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. In the public takeover, BASF has offered CHF 50.00 for each nominal share of Ciba stock.  The agreed upon price represents a 32 % premium above the Sept. 12, 2008, closing price. The acquisition will help BASF strengthen its hold on specialty chemicals, particularly in the area of coatings.