BASF India starts fine chemical catalysts production in Mangalore

BASF India Ltd launched on October 17, 2013, its precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts production plant and product development laboratory at the company’s operating site in Mangalore. The plant is BASF’s first precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts manufacturing and development operation in the Asia Pacific region. B2B Connect had reported on 26 September 2013 that BASF was going to start fine chemical catalysts production in Mangalore next month.
 
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The catalysts manufactured at the Mangalore plant will allow BASF’s customers to produce fine chemicals including active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), agrochemicals, nutrition components and flavours and fragrances. API and agrochemicals remain critical to the production of new and life-saving drugs and to feeding the world’s increasing population.
 
“BASF is an industry leader in fine chemical catalysts manufacturing and development and we are delighted to establish commercial-scale operations at the Mangalore site. We have extensive experience supporting fine chemical producers around the globe, and we look forward to providing high-quality catalyst products and technologies to meet the needs of the fast-growing Indian marketplace,” said Chris Wai, Vice President, Production & Sales, Asia Pacific, Process Catalysts and Technologies, BASF.
 
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Dr Raman Ramachandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia, said, “We see great market potential in India and the region. The start-up of the facility in Mangalore will allow us to respond to customers even quicker and further enhance our efficiency of logistics and supply of fine chemical products across the country.”
 
The Mangalore site is BASF’s largest manufacturing site in India and in South Asia. Operational since 1996, it is currently engaged in the production of performance chemicals, dispersions and paper chemicals, automotive coatings, coil coatings and construction chemicals. In addition to the Mangalore site, BASF produces precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts at its operating facilities in Rome, Italy, and Seneca, South Carolina.