BASF expands Cellasto capacity at Dahej site in India
- Expansion to meet fast growing customer demand in South Asia region, especially in the Indian automotive market
Mumbai, India – November 6, 2017 – BASF India Limited plans to expand its manufacturing capacity of Cellasto® and cease thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) manufacturing at its Dahej plant in Gujarat, in line with changing customer needs in the South Asia region.
Cellasto is the trade name for components made of BASF cellular polyurethane elastomers. They have been used successfully for over 55 years in the suspension system, to reduce NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) in automotive vehicles. Cellasto is inside every second car manufactured in the world. This expansion at Dahej will serve India’s growing automotive market for both two-wheel and four-wheel vehicles. The expansion project includes a new production line, and will supplement Cellasto’s testing equipment installed earlier this year. Customers will benefit from fast response and local expertise.
At the same time, BASF will focus on supplying South Asia markets with TPU from its global network, instead of local production. This move will ensure seamless supply to customers throughout the region. TPU is widely used in the manufacture of industrial hoses, elevator belts and footwear.
“We continue to stay close to our customers by adjusting our production, to meet their changing needs. For instance, by 2030, India is slated to be among the three largest automotive manufacturers worldwide. To be able to meet this demand, our manufacturing facilities need to be efficient and effective. We are confident that by refocusing our manufacturing capabilities, we will be able to achieve greater efficiency while better addressing our customers’ expectations and needs,” said Raman Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF India Limited and Head - South Asia.
This change will have no impact on the jobs at the Dahej manufacturing site, as employees currently working in TPU production will be redeployed in other areas including Cellasto production.
About BASF’s Performance Materials Division
BASF’s Performance Materials division encompasses the entire materials know-how of BASF regarding innovative, customised plastics under one roof. Globally active in four major industry sectors – transportation, construction, industrial applications and consumer goods – the division has a strong portfolio of products and services combined with a deep understanding of application-oriented system solutions. Key drivers of profitability and growth are our close collaboration with customers and a clear focus on solutions. Strong capabilities in R&D provide the basis to develop innovative products and applications. In 2016, the Performance Materials division achieved global sales of € 6.9 billion. More information online: www.performance-materials.basf.com
About BASF in India
BASF has successfully partnered India’s progress for more than 125 years, with all global businesses maintaining a presence in India today, except for Oil & Gas. At the end of 2016, BASF in India had 2,356 employees at ten production sites & ten offices, as well as two R&D centers, located in Mumbai and Mangalore. In 2016, BASF registered sales of approximately €1.1 billion to customers in India. Further information is available on the Internet at www.basf.com/in.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 114,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of about €58 billion in 2016. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS). Further information at www.basf.com.
