BASF builds new chemical catalysts manufacturing plant in Caojing, Shanghai

• Production of base metal catalysts, custom catalysts and adsorbents to meet growing demand in China and Asia
• Manufacturing start up planned for Q4 2016

ISELIN, NJ, December 10, 2014 – BASF is further strengthening its manufacturing footprint in Asia Pacific with a new, world-scale chemical catalysts production facility at the company’s existing site in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Caojing, Shanghai, China.

The plant – BASF’s first process catalysts manufacturing facility in Asia Pacific – will produce base metal catalysts, custom catalysts, and adsorbents to meet growing Chinese and Asian market demand. These catalysts are used in the production of fatty alcohols, sulfuric acid and butanediol and for the removal of impurities from olefins.

Construction of the new plant begins this month, with the launch of manufacturing activities planned for the fourth quarter of 2016. Once operating at full capacity, the plant will create 75 new jobs in Shanghai.

“The plant we are building in Caojing will provide a strong regional manufacturing base for our business and greatly improved proximity to our customers in Asia Pacific, which is the fastest growing region for our base metal and custom catalysts solutions,” said Dr. Detlef Ruff, BASF Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts & Technologies. “This plant will be highly automated and energy efficient, offering room for additional expansion as well as flexibility to adapt to new customer production requirements in the years to follow.”

“By 2020, BASF aims for local production of approximately 75% of the products we sell in Asia Pacific, in order to intensify our collaboration with and strengthen our supply position to customers in the region. To achieve this, together with our partners we are investing €10 billion from 2013 - 2020 to further develop our local production footprint in Asia Pacific. BASF’s investment in the Caojing, Shanghai, chemical catalysts plant represents another milestone in the company’s regional growth strategy,” said Dr. Albert Heuser, President Functions Asia Pacific, President and Chairman Greater China, BASF.

About BASF’s Catalysts Division
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry – and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world’s leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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