BASF to establish new PU System House in Colombia

* New Cartagena site will serve markets in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador
* Foster growth of key industries through high service level and customer support
* Local production and supply for domestic markets

As the leading supplier of polyurethane (PU) system solutions worldwide, BASF is further expanding its global service and production network. With the establishment of a new Polyurethane Solutions System House in Cartagena, Colombia, BASF will meet the demand of the growing markets in Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. BASF sees attractive business opportunities in important industries like Appliance, Transportation, Construction and Footwear. Like all other BASF System Houses the new site will have local production with sales and development personnel to provide fast and competent service to their customers. The site will be fully operating by the first quarter 2011.



The investment in Cartagena demonstrates BASF’s continued commitment to the PU industry by supporting its customers’ growth in all regions of the world as their preferred partner. “With our global network of 38 System Houses and world-scale production sites for PU basic products MDI, TDI and polyols in all regions, BASF is the only polyurethane manufacturer who can serve its customers worldwide from local production sites”, states Jacques Delmoitiez, President BASF Polyurethanes.



“We expect the market for PU systems in the ANDEAN region to grow in the coming decade by 6 %”, states Anton Traunfellner, Managing Director BASF Polyurethanes in South America. The Cartagena System House will benefit from the worldwide BASF Verbund including the PU System House network and the knowledge and expertise of BASF’s PU specialists all over the world. Traunfellner: “We are looking forward to working with our customers in order to find better solutions – Polyurethane Solutions! I invite them to make this System House their house, their new home for ideas, innovation and partnership in the ANDEAN region.”



About BASF Polyurethanes

BASF is the leading supplier of Polyurethane Solutions for systems, specialties and PU basic products. With its global network of 38 polyurethane system houses and its comprehensive product and service portfolio, BASF is the preferred partner of its customers in many industries. The BASF brand “Polyurethane Solutions” represents over 40 years of experience of the market and technology leadership for Polyurethane systems and specialty elastomers.



In the extremely service-oriented business of polyurethane systems and specialties, reliable PU experience and competence are crucial. Through its system house network, BASF provides fast local support, from technical service and sales to production and marketing during the development of customized solutions. With its world-scale plants, BASF secures its leading market position in the production of polyurethane basic products in all regions of the world.



Polyurethanes make life more comfortable, safer and more pleasant while helping to save energy sustainably. They contribute towards improved insulation of buildings and more attractive, lightweight design of cars. Producers of shoes, mattresses and household goods as well as sports equipment use the unique advantages of polyurethanes provided with the knowledge and expertise of the polyurethane experts of BASF world-wide.



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 as well as 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 more than €50 billion in 2009 and had approximately 105,000employees 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.