BASF starts up new polymer dispersions plant in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia

[BASF AG - 29.01.2015] BASF starts up new polymer dispersions plant in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia

- Polymer dispersions production will support local decorative coatings, construction and adhesive industries
- Meets growing customer demand especially in ASEAN improves supply flexibility and reliability
BASF is further strengthening its production footprint in Asia Pacific with the start-up of its first production plant for polymer dispersions in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia. This production plant is built at the existing BASF production site, located in the Pasir Gudang Industrial Park of the Johor Free Trade Zone. The plant is BASFs third polymer dispersions plant in ASEAN, complementing the existing dispersions plants in Jakarta and Merak, Indonesia.
This wholly-owned BASF production plant will benefit from close proximity to raw materials such as the acrylic monomer complex at BASF PETRONAS Chemicals in Gebeng, Kuantan. Local production in Malaysia will enable BASF to better respond to the fast-changing market situation in Asia Pacific.
"The plant is built with BASFs advanced production technology, which can accommodate a broad spectrum of acrylic products that are being developed in our Asia Technical Center in Shanghai, China. These cutting edge products with tailored properties can be made in this versatile production facility, addressing the increased customers requirement," said Jeff Knight, Senior Vice President, Dispersions and Pigments, Asia Pacific.
"This new highly automated facility will provide flexibility for new product introduction and increase our production capacities for the next generation innovative polymer dispersions, meeting the growing demands in ASEAN. We are confident that this production plant will further strengthen our competitive edge and help customers for future success," said Daniel Loh, Managing Director, BASF (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
The new plant will focus on the production of a variety of acrylic base polymer dispersions for decorative coatings, construction and adhesive industries, serving the entire Asia Pacific region, especially for South East Asia. Commercial production started at the beginning of 2015.
This investment represents another milestone in the implementation of BASFs Asia Pacific strategy. By 2020, BASF aims for local production of approximately 75% of the products it sells in the Asia Pacific region in order to intensify its collaboration with and strengthen its supply position to customers in Asia Pacific. To achieve this, BASF is investing €10 billion together with its partners from 2013 to 2020 to further develop its local production footprint in Asia Pacific.
About BASFs Dispersions and Pigments division
The Dispersions
Pigments division of BASF develops, produces and markets a range of high-quality pigments, resins, additives and polymer dispersions worldwide. These raw materials are used in formulations for coatings and paints, printing and packaging products, construction chemicals, adhesives, fiber bonding, plastics, paper as well as for electronic applications such as displays. With its comprehensive product portfolio and extensive knowledge of the industry, the Dispersions
Pigments division offers its customers innovative and sustainable solutions and helps them advance their formulations. For further information about the Dispersions
Pigments division, please visit http://www.dispersions-pigments.basf.com.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry - and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the worlds leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. 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.

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