BASF opens state-of-the-art facility for recycling precious metals from industrial scrap materials

A range of materials with recoverable metal content – primarily spent automotive catalytic converters and electronic scrap – will be processed at the new 56,000 square foot facility, ensuring a robust secondary source of such vital resources as platinum, palladium and rhodium.  In addition, the facility will house an analytical services laboratory to ensure accurate measurement of precious metals content for customers.

The new facility was built in close proximity to BASF’s existing metals recycling plant in Cinderford, which had previously operated under the Engelhard Sales Ltd. name. The business has now been rebranded as BASF Metals Recycling Ltd. and expanded to include the new operating site, which more than doubles BASF’s local manufacturing footprint and production capacity.

“Through this investment, we are making a strong commitment to the Cinderford region, which will now serve as the hub of our European metals recycling operations,” said Deon Carter, Senior Vice President, Precious Metals Services, which is part of BASF’s global Catalysts division. “The precious metals recovered here will allow us to support BASF and other customers who are seeking a highly sustainable source of quality metals to support their production needs.”

Automotive catalytic converters are one of the largest users of platinum group metals (PGMs), accounting for more than half of the world’s annual PGM mining output. When an automobile is scrapped, the precious metal contained in the catalytic converter can be recycled, creating a secondary supply source for the production of new catalysts.

“Our new operation in Cinderford significantly expands our commitment to the environmentally responsible re-use of the world’s limited precious metals,” said Dr. Henrik Junicke, BASF’s Vice President of Global Refining, Salts and Solutions.  “While there is significant variation in metal content sourced from different scrap feeds, our expert staff and advanced sampling and analysis techniques allow us to provide highly accurate results for platinum, palladium and rhodium content.”

“I am exceptionally proud of the way our employees pulled together to launch this new facility and bring our expanded production capacity on line in a very safe and professional manner,” said Dr. John Setchfield, Site Manager, BASF Metals Recycling Ltd.  “We have made great strides in Cinderford in recent years, and we look forward to celebrating our 50^th

anniversary in the region in 2012.”

BASF is a full service provider of precious metals products and services. The company leverages its unparalleled market insight and decades of precious metals sourcing, recycling, refining and trading expertise to create a tangible competitive advantage for customers.

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. 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 catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF’s Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

BASF - The Chemical Company.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help 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 posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 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 or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.

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