BASF to start up new FCC catalysts testing and research laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany
ISELIN, NEW JERSEY, March 13, 2013 – BASF has announced that it will start-up a new multi-million euro fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts testing and research laboratory at the hte Aktiengesellschaft (hte) facility in Heidelberg, Germany. hte is a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF SE and a leading provider of high throughput technology and services for enhancing research and development productivity.
The new BASF laboratory will begin operating in the first half of 2014, and will be used for hydrocarbon and FCC equilibrium catalysts standard analysis and characterization, FCC catalysts process methodology testing and related research activities, providing quality data to BASF and its customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
The opening of the Heidelberg laboratory will increase the service capabilities offered by BASF’s existing FCC catalysts laboratory in Iselin, New Jersey, and will enable the company to better serve customers across all regions of the world.
“We are proud that BASF’s Catalysts team has decided to install this new laboratory at our Heidelberg site,” said Wolfram Stichert, Ph.D., CEO at hte. “We look forward to adding value to this operation by leveraging our extensive know-how in refinery catalysts testing and analysis.”
“With the development of tight oil in the North American market, new opportunities and challenges are being faced by the industry which will require increased capabilities and service delivery from catalysts suppliers,” said Herbert Exner, BASF Vice President, Refinery Catalysts & Technologies. “Through this investment, BASF is addressing this need, and taking an active role to fortify its position as the premier service provider to the refining market.”
Vas Vergopoulos, Ph.D., BASF’s Director, Refining Catalysts Sales and Technical Services, Europe, added, “Our investment at hte goes beyond adding laboratory capacity and focuses on the development of world-class testing methodologies. This is another example of BASF's commitment to delivering cutting-edge technology and services to help drive our customers’ profitability and success.”
BASF is currently one of the top three producers of FCC catalysts worldwide and leads the market in the United States.
About BASF Catalysts
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
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. 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 posted sales of €78.7 billion in 2012 and had more than 113,000 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.
About hte Aktiengesellschaft
hte Aktiengesellschaft (hte), a public limited company, is a leading provider of technology solutions and services for customers in the energy, refinery, chemicals and environmental sectors. Thanks to hte’s products and services, R&D in the area of heterogeneous catalysis has become considerably faster and more productive. As a reliable partner in the field of high throughput experimentation, hte offers comprehensive expertise backed up by complementary products and services: 1) technology solutions – tailor-made integrated hardware and software systems, installed and ready for use on site at the customer’s premises; 2) R&D solutions – implementation of research cooperation at hte’s own premises in Heidelberg. With its high-quality services, hte supports its customers in the search for solutions to global challenges such as climate and environmental protection, energy efficiency and mobility. Its close ties with BASF guarantee long-term orientation and stability. Visit hte´s website for more information: www.hte-company.com.
Contact hte Aktiengesellschaft
Dr. Sascha Vukojevic
hte Aktiengesellschaft
Phone: +49 6221 7497-154
Sascha.Vukojevic@hte-company.de
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