MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF, the world's largest petrochemical producer, has established the research initiative "Network for Advanced Materials Open Research" (NAO) together with seven leading universities and research institutes in China, Japan and South Korea, reported the company on its site.
The scientists aim to cooperate in developing new materials for a wide range of applications. The initial focus is on products for the automotive, construction, detergent and cleaners industries as well as the water and wind energy industries.
"The initiative is a further important step in BASF’s strategy to expand global research activities," said Dr. Christian Fischer, President Advanced Materials and Systems Research. BASF plans to conduct 50% of its research activities by 2020 outside of Europe - one quarter in Asia Pacific.
BASF has also launched similar initiatives around the world, the "Joint Research Network on Advanced Materials and Systems" (JONAS) in Europe, as well as the "North America Center for Research on Advanced Materials" (NORA).
Initial research projects have already been launched across the region and others are in preparation. One example at Hanyang University in South Korea is the development of a modelling tool to predict the aging properties of composite systems used in the wind industry. A project currently in progress at Fudan University in Shanghai is the development of novel coating systems based on hybrid materials.
MRC informed previously that, as part of BASF's major innovation investment in China, the company opened in November 2013 the first Innovation Campus Asia Pacific and its new Greater China headquarters at its site in Pudong, Shanghai. The investment amounts to EUR 55 million. With this expansion the company's site will be one of BASF's largest outside of Germany. The further expansion of the facility is also planned.
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.
MRC