BASF Opens New Asia Technical Center in Shanghai    

The world's leading chemical company BASF inaugurated March 18, 2009 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 1 500 square meters 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 Shanghai.
    "The investment in the Shanghai technical center 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 center 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.  
    The introduction of the Shanghai technical center will further strengthen the research and development network of BASF's Construction Chemicals division. BASF's Construction Chemicals division is the leading supplier of chemical systems and formulations for the construction industry. The division operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries and achieved sales of Euro 2.2 billion with approximately 7 700 employees in 2008.
     BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. It is one of the biggest foreign investors in the Chinese chemical industry. The company has approximately 6 300 employees and operates 19 BASF wholly owned subsidiaries and 10 BASF joint ventures in 2008.  BASF's sales in Greater China is about Euro 4.2 billion.