Dr Martin Brudermuller, vice chairman of the board of executive directors & chief technology officer, BASF. (File photo)
SHANGHAI, CHINA: BASF SE said it is substantially expanding the scope of its research and development (R&D) capabilities in Asia Pacific, with a series of initiatives to bring innovation closer to customers in the region. Overall, BASF aims to locate around a quarter of its global R&D activities in Asia Pacific.
The second phase of the BASF innovation campus in Asia Pacific was inaugurated, a €90 million expansion located at BASF’s Greater China headquarters in Pudong, Shanghai.
“The innovation campus is BASF’s largest R&D center in the region and an important location in BASF’s global research and development network. The expansion will boost our power to innovate in Asia Pacific and the world,” said Dr Martin Brudermuller, vice chairman of the board of executive directors & chief technology officer, BASF.
Focusing primarily on advanced materials and systems, the expansion adds new areas such as formulations and chemical processes and engineering.
“The new facilities will enable BASF to better serve growth industries such as automotive, construction, health and nutrition, home and personal care in the region,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, member of BASF’s board of executive directors and responsible for the region Asia Pacific. “As part of the expansion, a design center will be established to combine diverse competencies in the area of design-related materials and services, supporting active customer collaboration
in this region.”
Researchers at the innovation campus are already bringing new applications to the region that serve the needs of local markets. One example is new utility poles developed at the site, made with BASF’s polyurethane system (Elastolit) together with local customers. Based on filament winding technology, the utility poles are at least 2.5 times more wind-resistant than concrete utility poles, but weigh only 250 kg each, about one fourth the weight of concrete poles.
Headquarters of BASF’s global research platform advanced materials &systems research will be located in Shanghai.
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