BASF inaugurates chemical complex in Dahej, India

The chemical complex includes an integrated hub for polyurethane manufacturing and production facilities for care chemicals and polymer dispersions.

The integrated polyurethane manufacturing facility will host a MDI splitter for processing crude MDI. The site will also produce Elastollan TPU, Cellasto (microcellular polyurethane components), and polyurethane systems. The integrated hub will support the demand of industries in the appliances, footwear, automotive, construction, and furniture segment.

The care chemicals facility at the Dahej site hosts the first BASF sulfation plant in India, which will cater to customers in the consumer goods sector. The polymer dispersions plant will expand BASF’s production footprint in the dispersions business, complementing the Mangalore facility. It will serve paper and board, architectural coatings, construction, adhesives, and fibre bonding customers, located in northern and western India.

The site currently employs 200 people directly and 300 people indirectly. In the near future, it will offer direct employment opportunity to 50 additional people.

The site was jointly inaugurated by Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Saurabhbhai Patel, Hon’ble Minister for Finance, Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat, and Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE.

Heinz said: “As part of our investment plans of more than EUR 10 billion in Asia Pacific between 2013 and 2020, we want to strengthen our production platform in India. With our new Dahej site we are enhancing our position as supplier with local production and can even better ‘create chemistry’ with our customers. With our advanced technologies and the commitment of our team in India, we will both contribute to and benefit from India’s huge market potential.”

Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia, said: “With this production hub, including the first MDI splitter in South Asia, we are well positioned to increase our long-term competitiveness significantly in this key market. We will serve our customers in the Asia Pacific region even better through stable product supply in terms of both quality and volume.”