Sichuan, China - March 8, 2007 – BASF today inaugurated its plant for concrete admixtures and admixture intermediates, which was acquired from Hi Con in December 2006. The opening ceremony represents a significant step forward for BASF to strengthen its position in the construction chemicals market in Western China and allow it better access to the growing hydropower construction industry.
"The plant enlarges our coverage in China and marks our development from being a regional to a national player in China," said Dr. Boris Gorella, group vice president and head of BASF's regional business unit Construction Chemicals Asia Pacific. The ceremony was officiated by government officials and BASF senior executives including Dr. Bernhard Hofmann, president, BASF's global Construction Chemicals division and Mr. Johnny Kwan, Chairman of BASF Greater China.
"Our new plant, together with our admixture plant in Chongqing, allow BASF Construction Chemicals to expand rapidly in the Western China market while increasing the company's market share for admixtures for the hydropower construction industry, " said Dr. Hofmann.
BASF Construction Chemicals' acquisition of Hi Con, a major producer of concrete admixture in China, announced earlier paves the way for BASF to become the number one player in China's admixture market. The acquisition provides BASF the most recent technologies from a local production site close to the customers in a rapidly developing construction chemicals market.
BASF has been producing admixtures in China since 1988 and operates eight production facilities for construction chemicals in Shanghai, Beijing, Chengdu, Nanjing, Chongqing, Suzhou and Huzhou, as well as 12 sales offices across China. Admixtures are used to provide concrete with superior application performance. Customers include ready-mix concrete producers, pre-cast operators, dry-cast and concrete block manufacturers, as well as contractors active in civil, commercial, institutional and residential construction.
About BASF's Construction Chemicals Division
BASF's Construction Chemicals division 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 strategic business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, pre-cast and manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems strategic business unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints and 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 regions and achieved sales of €2.2 billion with approximately 7,500 employees in 2006. With strong presence in China for 20 years, BASF's Construction Chemicals has been recognized as a reliable partner in the industry and contributed to many prestigious projects including Taipei 101, Hangzhou Bay Bridge, Three Gorges Dam and China High-speed Railway. For further information, please visit http://ap.construction-chemicals.basf.com
About BASF
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 currently has more than 5,500 employees and operates 29 wholly-owned subsidiaries and nine joint ventures. In 2006, BASF achieved sales of over €3.6 billion in Greater China. For further information, please visit www.greater-china.basf.com
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF's high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion (approximately US$66.1 billion) in 2006. Further information on BASF is available at www.basf.com