13/06/2008
BASF opens concrete admixture plant in Kolkata, eastern India
• Fourth admixture manufacturing facility for BASF in India
• Production in Kolkata to serve local customers
• Tailor-made admixture formulations for fast-growing infrastructure development
Mumbai, INDIA, June 13, 2008 – BASF’s Construction Chemicals business has opened its new concrete admixture plant in Kolkata, eastern India. The facility has been established to manufacture advanced concrete admixtures to better serve the customers in eastern India including North East.
Located in Jalan Industrial Estate, the Kolkata plant produces BASF’s full range of concrete admixtures, including the high-end GLENIUM® and RHEOBUILD® series, which will enable concrete producers to improve concrete strength and workability, thus contributing to construction efficiency and durability.
“The opening of Kolkata plant marks a key milestone in the expansion of our business in India. With a contribution of almost 7 to 8% to the GDP, the construction industry in India is a focus area for BASF. Helping to build structures that are safer and more durable, and at a faster rate, this plant in Kolkata is a reiteration of our commitment to the customers here,” said Prasad Chandran, Chairman BASF Group in India and Head South Asia.
"Local production takes us close to our customers in India's regions and enables us to respond rapidly and flexibly to their needs," says Himanshu Kapadia, head of the BASF Construction Chemicals division in India. "That way, we benefit from the soaring demand in India and at the same time help local construction industry to develop."
BASF's construction chemicals business in India has been growing at an annual rate of 45 percent for the past five years. Growth is mainly driven by infrastructural projects in the public sector. Large projects in East India include expansion of the national freeway network, hydroelectricity plants as a source of energy, and promotion of the industrial infrastructure in West Bengal.
BASF Construction Chemicals India has been producing concrete admixtures since 1997 and is the leading supplier of admixtures to ready-mix concrete and underground construction projects, providing high quality products and technical support to customers across the country.
In addition to the new plant in Kolkata, BASF Construction Chemicals India operates manufacturing sites in Mumbai, Bangalore and Nalagarh.
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 €2.1 billion with approximately 7,100 employees in 2007. For further information, please visit www.basf-cc.co.in
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost €58 billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.