MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF’s Coatings
division today inaugurated a new automotive coatings plant at its Bangpoo
manufacturing site, Samutprakarn province, Thailand, said the producer on its
site.
The new plant is the first BASF automotive coatings manufacturing
facility in ASEAN, and will produce solventborne and waterborne automotive
coatings to meet growing market demand in the region.
"BASF is a trusted
partner of all major automotive manufacturers around the world, with a broad
competence in all coating layers," said Dirk Bremm, President of BASF’s Coatings
division. "The inauguration of the new plant demonstrates our commitment to
meeting customer expectations for advanced coating technologies and products in
ASEAN, for ASEAN."
According to the LMC Automotive Report from November
2017, this year’s total car production in ASEAN is anticipated to reach around
3.9 million. Thailand will account for more than 50% of this market,
representing the largest coatings market within ASEAN, followed by Indonesia and
Malaysia. With an increasing number of automotive OEMs (Original Equipment
Manufacturers) engaging in production and technology development activities in
ASEAN, there is also a growing need for local innovation in coatings solutions
and products, as well as a high degree of technical service. "With our robust
capabilities in Thailand, we meet the increasing demand for sustainable and
eco-efficient solutions,” said Peter Fischer, Senior Vice President, Coatings
Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF. “Working closely with our automotive customers
globally and regionally, we are committed to be the partner of choice and drive
for growth and success in the highly competitive ASEAN market."
The new
production plant in Bangpoo complements the facilities at the Coatings Technical
Competence Center ASEAN, which was opened in September 2015 at the same
location. The technical center includes a laboratory for product development,
high performance application facilities, color design, as well as a small batch
production unit. The co-location of production and technical facilities enables
operational efficiency and speed to market. The new plant’s design not only
allows BASF to offer customized service, it also has the potential for future
expansion and the flexibility to adapt to new production requirements and
changing industry trends.
"BASF has been active in ASEAN for over 50
years, with a strong footprint in Thailand," added Andrea Frenzel, President
South & East Asia, ASEAN & ANZ, BASF. "With our new automotive coatings
plant, we aim to help Thailand strengthen its role as a key market and
production hub for the automotive industry in ASEAN, and to support the economic
development of the neighboring countries."
As MRC informed before,
in December 2016, AkzoNobel finalized the acquisition of BASF’s global
Industrial Coatings business, which supplies a range of products for industries
including construction, domestic appliances, wind energy and commercial
transport, strengthening its position as the global number one supplier in coil
coatings.
BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range
of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade
chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The
most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction,
textile and automotive industries. BASF generated sales of about EUR58 billion
in 2016. |