BASF signs pact for new technology centre at Ludwigshafen

13 July 2004 15:30  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--German chemicals giant BASF on Thursday signed an agreement with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and city of Ludwigshafen for a new chemical technology centre at its Ludwigshafen, Germany complex.

 

The agreement was signed by Minister for the Economy of Rhineland-Palatinate Hans-Artur Bauckhage, Ludwigshafen Lady Mayor Eva Lohse and Mayor Wilhelm Zeiser, and BASF’s Ludwigshafen site manager Albert Heuser. The joint initiative was first announced in March.

 

A BASF spokeswoman said the centre is now officially operational. She added that BASF had provided a laboratory building with a surface area of approximately 2500 square metres for the joint initiative.

 

The annual cost of the project is estimated at Euro120 000 ($148 662), and BASF, the Rhineland-Palatinate state government and the Ludwigshafen city government will contribute 35%, 35% and 30% respectively.

 

BASF said the goal is to make Ludwigshafen and the Rhine-Neckar region even more attractive as a location for chemicals-based industry and to increase the area’s international competitiveness.

 

The centre’s targets are young innovative companies, entrepreneurs and small & medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), said BASF, adding that representatives from the fields of chemicals, nanotechnology, new materials, biotechnology, and process & chemical engineering are particularly welcome.

 

The centre’s facilities include laboratories and miniplants. In addition, companies at the centre will have access to regulatory support, technical and chemical expertise as well as startup and growth advice, said BASF.

 

Heuser commented: “The industry-based Chemical Technology Centre reinforces our Verbund (BASF’s integrated production system) and at the same time gives entrepreneurs and innovative companies ideal startup conditions to boost new business ideas on their way to commercial success.”

By: Russell Ong
+44 208 652 3214

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