BASF to build new dispersions plant in Durban, South Africa

*Strengthening BASF’s presence in South Africa
*Supporting the growing regional coating and construction industry
*New plant will be operational in 2012



Durban , South Africa – – BASF will invest in a dispersions plant in Durban, South Africa. The new plant will produce acrylic dispersions mainly for the coatings and construction industry. The facility will benefit from local availability of raw materials and proximity to key customers who serve South Africa’s and Sub Saharan Africa’s fast-growing markets. Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.



South Africa is the largest market for dispersions in Sub-Saharan Africa. “With this new facility, we are well positioned to support our customers’ growth in South Africa and its neighboring countries providing BASF’s quality, service and reliable supply” said Christoph Hansen, Senior Vice President Dispersions for Adhesives and Construction Europe. With its portfolio of specialties, BASF can help customers move towards more environmentally friendly technologies such as reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and products free of alkyl phenol ethoxylate (APEO). This investment reflects BASF’s focus on participating in the strong growth markets in emerging Africa.

About BASF’s Dispersions and Pigments Division

BASF is the leading global supplier of raw materials for the coating and paint industry. The division Dispersions & Pigments combines all BASF offerings towards this industry. The portfolio encompasses pigments, resins, dispersions and a broad range of additives like light stabilizers and photo initiators. Further end-use industries include construction materials, adhesives, printing and packaging. Our portfolio is focused on environmentally friendly systems, such as low-VOC water-based coatings.



About BASF South Africa

BASF South Africa has been doing business for more than 40 years and also acts as the regional hub to Sub-Sahara. The BASF Group in South Africa consists of six companies with locations in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, including a world-class automotive emission catalysts production site in Port Elizabeth. For further local information visit the Website: www.basf.co.za.



About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help 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 about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 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 or in its Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com.