Kunming, China - May 8, 2009 – BASF today inaugurated a new construction chemicals plant in Kunming, Yunnan Province. The facility has been established to manufacture advanced concrete admixtures to better serve customers in the construction industry in Southwest China.
Located in the Kunming State New & High Technology Development Zone (40 kilometres from downtown Kunming), the newly established plant produces BASF’s full portfolio of concrete admixtures. Two labs have been specially set up to conduct quality control and concrete trial activities to ensure high quality products and technical services are available for local customers.
“It is our strategy to invest in Western China in order to pursue additional growth opportunities in the Chinese construction market,” said Mark Volmer, Vice President responsible for BASF’s Construction Chemicals business in Asia Pacific. “Occupying more than 6,500 square meters, the new Kunming plant will expand our production capability in this region and put BASF in a stronger position to serve the fast-growing local construction industry with advanced products and services. Together with our plants in Chongqing and Chengdu, BASF is increasing its capability to support further development of the Western China region, ” Volmer added.
In the first quarter of 2009, Yunnan province invested RMB 58.4 billion (approximately EUR 6.6 billion) in fixed assets and infrastructure construction, up 41.8 percent over the same period of last year, according to the Yunnan Statistics Bureau. Likewise, the Kunming municipal government recently announced its investment in infrastructure construction would amount to RMB154.9 billion (approximately EUR 17.4 billion) in 2009.
BASF’s Construction Chemicals business has been active in concrete admixture production in China since 1988, and the launch of the Kunming plant marks the 13th construction chemicals production facility in mainland China.
Recognized as a reliable partner in the industry, BASF construction chemicals has contributed to many prestigious projects including Taipei 101, the Hangzhou Bay Bridge and the China High-speed Railway.
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 business unit specifically helps customers in the ready-mix, precast, manufactured concrete and underground construction industries. The Construction Systems unit offers a wide range of products for sports and industrial flooring, external renders and wall insulation, expansion joints, 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 achieved sales of €2.2 billion with approximately 7,700 employees in 2008. For further information, please visit www.ap.cc.basf.com.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. 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 posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
BASF has been a committed partner to Greater China since 1885. It is one of the biggest foreign investors in the Chinese chemical industry. BASF has about 6,300 employees in Greater China and posted sales of about €4.2 billion in 2008. The company operates 19 BASF wholly owned subsidiaries and 10 BASF joint ventures in Greater China. For further information, please visit www.greater-china.basf.com.
Media contacts
Shanghai: Grey Guo
Tel: +86 21 2320 3923
Fax: +86 21 2320 3992
grey-rongjie.guo@basf.com
Shanghai: Joanna Shen
Tel: +86 21 2320 3053
Fax: +86 21 2320 3099
jiahong-joanna.shen@basf.com