• Expand local production of concrete admixtures for easy access to Chinese customers
• Optimal blend of products, services and technologies catered for the Qingdao Bay Bridge and eastern China's booming construction sector
Shanghai, China - December 14, 2007 – BASF's Construction Chemicals Business today opened its new concrete admixture plant in Zibo, Shandong Province. The facility has been launched to enhance production and logistic capabilities to benefit customers and support the fast-growing infrastructure construction sector in eastern China.
The Zibo plant will produce a full range of concrete admixtures, including the high-end GLENIUM and RHEOPLUS series which will enable ready-mix concrete producers to improve concrete strength and workability.
Dr. Karsten Eller, Vice Mayor of Zibo City and Mr. Huang Xu inaugurated
the Zibo Site
"The opening of the Zibo plant represents a key step forward to expanding our business in China, the world's largest construction market," said Dr. Boris Gorella, Group Vice President and head of BASF's Construction Chemicals Business Unit, Asia Pacific. "With the local production in Shandong Province, we will increase our capabilities in serving the fast-growing infrastructure construction sector of east China and offer cutting-edge products and services to seaports, sea bridges and atomic power plants, among others."
BASF's business commitments in Shandong also extend to the Qingdao Bay Bridge project. Spanning a total distance of 35.4 kilometers, of which 26.75 km is above the open sea, the bridge is scheduled for completion by 2010. Despite the short construction period and its exposure to the harsh northern maritime climate, the bridge will feature an expected service lifespan of 100 years.
Zibo plant marks the 10th admixture production facility of BASF's
Construction Chemicals in China
"The Zibo plant is well positioned to offer a total solution for the Qingdao Bay Bridge project, in view of the exacting requirements for building material used in the construction," said Dr. Gorella. "On top of providing cutting-edge admixtures to help customers with the formulation of freeze-thaw resistant high-strength concrete, the Zibo plant is capable of developing an optimal blend of logistics and services to speed up the bridge project."
Efforts are undertaken by BASF's Zibo plant to customize a proprietary package of products and expertise to support construction of Qingdao Bay Bridge that comprises:
• High-performance, high-strength concrete admixtures that perform well even in
freezing winter temperatures
• Superior logistics to ensure a stable supply of admixtures
• Professional technical support to troubleshoot problems
BASF has been active in concrete admixture production in China since 1988 and the latest inauguration of the Zibo plant marks the 10th production facility set up by the company to produce construction chemicals in the country.
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.