PCI Opens Tile Adhesives Plant in Foshan     

By Jenny Du  

On October 22nd, 2007 BASF celebrated the inauguration of Asia's first PCI tile adhesives plant in Foshan, Guangdong Province. The plant is designed to provide a platform for the transfer of cutting-edge tiling systems technologies and solutions from Germany to China to benefit local construction chemicals sector.
    With an annual production capacity of more than 50 000 tons, this world-class facility will turn out a broad product range under the PCI brand, including tile adhesives, leveling products, tile grouts, waterproofing materials and primer.
    On the same day, the journalist of CCR visited PCI Foshan Plant and conducted a special interview with some key members of BASF's Construction Chemicals Business Unit Asia Pacific and PCI.

About BCCD and PCI  

BASF's Construction Chemicals division (BCCD) 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 and 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 Euros with approximately 7 500 employees in 2006.
   Serving over 15 countries in the Asia Pacific region with approximately 1,500 employees located in 50 sites, BCCD is making every effort to form the best team and offer innovative solutions to enable faster construction processes, less energy consumption and longer service lifespan. In Greater China, BCCD is operating 10 production sites with world-class R&D center in Shanghai, it has contributed to many prestigious projects like Taipei 101, Hangzhou Bay Bridge, Three Gorges Dam, etc.
   PCI stands for Poly-Chemie-Ingenieurtechnik. BASF PCI, originated from Germany and integrated into BASF in 2006, is the leader in European tile adhesive market for more than 50 years. BASF Construction Chemicals (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. Foshan Branch, a wholly owned affiliate of BASF, was founded in 2007.

Benefits for Local Chinese Customers

"Setting up the PCI plant is part of a BASF strategy to continually strengthen its commitment in China, which is currently the world's largest market for tiling products, with enormous business potential and opportunities yet untapped," said Dr. Martin Brudermueller, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF Aktiengesellschaft, responsible for Asia Pacific. "With our entry into the Chinese tile adhesive market, we will combine BASF's latest technologies with the ancient ceramics knowledge of Foshan to broaden our capabilities in serving the country's construction and other sectors."
   Adapting to local customer requirements, PCI will customize its formulations in accordance with local standards for optimal product quality and feasibility. Benefits for local Chinese customers include:
   * Safer tiling: Superior adhesiveness of PCI products is designed to increase tiling safety and prevent tiles from collapsing
   * Faster process: Compared with the traditional method, PCI's modern tile-laying techniques can boost the speed and efficiency of the process
   * Reduced resource consumption: The high performance level of PCI products can help customers reduce consumption of raw materials like sand or cement
   * Longer service lifespan: Excellent durability and resistance to acid rain in PCI products can help improve its capacity of withstanding wear-and-tear and prolong their service lifespans

Brilliant Prospect of PCI Foshan Plant

Located in Foshan, the country's largest ceramics production base, the PCI plant will help establish direct links between BASF and local customers - including tile producers, contractors, craftsmen, distributors and developers - who will benefit from a broad portfolio of technical support, advisory services, product innovations and processes made available to them.
    "With this world-class production facility in Foshan, PCI is not only broadening BASF's product portfolio, it will sustain our leading position and growth momentum in China and Asia," said Dr. Boris Gorella, Group Vice President and head of BASF's Construction Chemicals Business Unit, Asia Pacific. "Consumption of locally-made tiles in China rose to approximately two billion square meters in 2006. This plant will help us meet burgeoning demand and may foreshadow future investments."
    "By transferring established production technologies from Germany to China, it was possible to set up the plant in only six months without compromising safety, environment, health and the product quality," added Dr. Karsten Eller, the PCI China Project Leader. "The standard of the plant is at the same high level as our European operations."