BASF technology centre

19 July 2004 00:01  [Source: ICB]

BASF, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and the city of Ludwigshafen, have signed an agreement that finalises the concept and financing of a chemical technology centre located at the BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany, site.

The centre, which is housed in existing BASF facilities, is seeking to attract young innovative companies, entrepreneurs and SMEs, particularly in the areas of chemicals, nanotechnology, new materials, biotechnology and process and chemical engineering.

Facilities provided by the technology centre include laboratories, miniplants, regulatory support, and technical and chemical expertise. Start-up and growth advice will also be available.

The annual cost of the project is put at €120 000. BASF, the Rhineland-Palatinate state government and the Ludwigshafen city government will contribute 35%, 35% and 30% respectively.

BASF said that the alliance with state and local government was aimed at making 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 hope is that new companies benefiting from the centre will settle at Ludwigshafen or in the Rhine-Neckar region.

Commenting on the project Albert Heuse, BASF Ludwigshafen site manager, said that: ‘The industry-based Chemical Technology Center reinforces our Verbund [network] and gives entrepreneurs and innovative companies ideal start-up conditions to boost new business ideas on their way to commercial success’.

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