BASF opens new Asia Technical Center for construction chemicals

• New center in Shanghai to support product development and analytical testing for Asia Pacific region

Shanghai, China – March 18, 2009 – BASF today inaugurated a new Asia Technical Center Shanghai, further increasing its capabilities to develop and offer innovative solutions to Asia Pacific customers in the construction industry.

Providing an additional 1,500m2 of working space, the newly constructed technical center will include additional laboratories and equipment to further support product development and analytical testing.  The new facility is located at the existing BASF Auxiliary Chemicals Co., Ltd. in the Pudong district of Shanghai, and will serve the increasing needs of development and technical services for the Asia Pacific region.

“The investment in the Shanghai technical centre is part of our global strategy to address the challenges of the market place, such as faster construction processes, longer life spans, and less energy consumption,” said Dr. Bernhard Hofmann, President of BASF’s Construction Chemicals division, addressing the participants in the opening ceremony.”

“For products such as concrete admixtures, cement additives, flooring systems, wall systems, concrete repair and protection products, amongst others, the increased testing and analytical capabilities of the new technical centre will allow us to enhance our development of a wide range of products and solutions,” explained Dr. Bruce Christensen, Director of Technical, Marketing and Communications, BASF’s Construction Chemicals business in Asia Pacific. “In addition, the new center will enable us to better support technical services activities, thereby satisfying the sophisticated construction needs of the industry in a quicker manner.”

The new Asia Technical Centre will support joint research with customers for new product applications and formulations, providing an excellent venue for enterprises in the region to embrace world-class, cutting-edge technologies in partnership with BASF’s technical professionals. 

The introduction of the Shanghai technical centre will further strengthen the research and development network of BASF’s Construction Chemicals division. Globally, the division now operates 12 technical centers. The other regional technical center in the Asia Pacific region is located in Chigasaki, Japan.

About BASF’s Construction Chemicals division

BASF’s Construction Chemicals division is the leading supplier of chemical systems and formulations for the construction industry. Continuous innovation and tailor-made solutions ensure its customers are more successful. Its Admixture Systems business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, precast, manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints, wood preservatives as well as specialist repair mortars, tile adhesives and waterproofing membranes. The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of €2.2 billion with approximately 7,700 employees in 2008.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has approximately 97,000 employees and posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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