BASF inaugurates new research building in Ludwigshafen
- Investment of around €50 million strengthens Ludwigshafen as a research site
- Around 11,000 square meter building for approximately 200 employees
- Innovative materials of BASF used in the construction process
Ludwigshafen, Germany – July 16, 2015 – BASF today inaugurated a new research building in Ludwigshafen after two years of construction. The building in the south of the Ludwigshafen site accommodates around 200 employees of the research division Advanced Materials & Systems Research who have so far worked in different buildings in Ludwigshafen. The laboratories and offices in the seven-storey building account for a total surface area of approximately 11,000 square meters, the construction costs amount to around €50 million.
“For the long-term success of BASF it is important to strengthen the global presence of our research and development activities, especially in Asia Pacific and the Americas. Ludwigshafen, however, remains the largest site of our R&D Verbund. This is underlined by the investment in the new building, which is a clear commitment to the Ludwigshafen research site,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors and Chief Technology Officer of BASF SE.
The new building is located between further research facilities, in which employees of the same research division work. The new building is connected with two neighbouring buildings via a ground level corridor and a bridge. “The close proximity means not only that the distances are shorter, but the bridge also symbolizes the close collaboration within the research division. We move closer together at the Ludwigshafen site and we are able to network more easily, to exchange ideas and to inspire each other to develop new creative solutions for our customers in the future. This will further increase the efficiency of our research activities,” said Dr. Harald Lauke, President, Advanced Materials & Systems Research.
In the Advanced Materials & Systems Research division, BASF develops new structural materials, dispersions, functional materials as well as organic and inorganic additives for a wide range of customer industries including automotive, construction, packaging, paints, detergents and cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, water and the wind industry.
Numerous innovative materials of BASF were used in the construction of the new research building: The newly developed high-performance insulation panel SlentexTM based on inorganic aerogel, for example, allows a slim and highly efficient heat insulation due to its lower heat conductivity. For the glass fiber reinforced concrete façade elements, the concrete additive Master X-Seed was used. It accelerates the hardening of concrete and improves its durability.
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 over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
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