Date:07/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/07/stories/2008050755621600.htm

Business

BASF to strengthen automotive business

Special Correspondent

To build a new engineering plastics compounding plant

To treble capacity of Chennai plant
Sets up a CAE lab in Thane

MUMBAI: BASF has announced its plan to rev up its offerings for the automotive industry in India with investments in plants and technology. The company will build a new engineering plastics compounding plant at its existing site in Thane, which is expected to come on stream by the second half of 2009, according to a company statement.

BASF has also set up a CAE (computer aided engineering) lab in Thane where its engineers design and optimise new engineering plastic parts in close cooperation with customers. “Advanced CAE technology is a key competence of BASF in the field of engineering plastics,” said Hermann Althoff, BASF’s Group Vice President, Asia Pacific Engineering Plastics.

Further, BASF Coatings commissioned a new Refinish Colour Lab in Mangalore in February, and is expanding its e-coat facility which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

Also under way is the expansion of BASF’s catalyst plant in Chennai which will triple its capacity by 2009. “Automotive is one of BASF’s most important target industry segments and our second-largest revenue source,” explained Dr. Hapke. “In 2007, BASF derived over 13 per cent of its total worldwide revenue of €58 billion from the sale of products to the automotive industry.”

A special focus for BASF is energy efficiency and solutions to curb emissions. BASF pioneered the development of the first catalytic converter for automobiles.

The company offers a catalyst that makes it possible to convert up to 96 per cent of a vehicle’s emissions.