(BASF) -- BASF and Ji'Ning Hock Mining & Engineering Equipment Company Limited (⌠Hock) have received approval from all relevant antitrust authorities in China for the formation of BASF Hock Mining Chemical (China) Company Limited. BASF takes a 75% majority stake in the new venture. The company will continue Hock's existing business activities in the field of chemical injection and cavity filling products for coal mining and other underground applications.
⌠With this investment BASF demonstrates its long term commitment to the underground construction and coal mining industry on a global basis. We will bring our best technologies to the industry in China and around the world, said Dr. Tilman Krauch, President Construction Chemicals at BASF. ⌠With its well-established market position and reputation in the coal mining industry, Hock provides both product expertise and a strong customer base. Combined with BASF's technology capabilities, expertise in environment, health, and safety as well as strength in innovation, the new venture is set to be an important partner to local as well as global mining experts. In 2010, Hock had sales of roughly ┬50 million.
While injection technology has been present in European markets such as Germany for the past 30 years, it was only introduced in China 10 years ago. Through chemical injection and cavity filling, substances such as polyurethanes or other construction chemicals can be introduced into fractured rock, sands, gravel or coal to avoid water or gas accumulation and stabilize cavities in tunnels.
MRC