BASF adds new coat of paint to operation
BASF, a multinational chemicals manufacturing corporation, has opened an expanded coatings centre in Bangkok to serve the automotive industry in the region.
BASF said the Coatings Technical Competence Centre Asean, located at its Bangpoo site and spanning 2,300 square metres, was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a laboratory for product development, performance testing and colour design. It also serves as a production unit.
"We’re leveraging our successful experiences with key customers in the region and our global expertise to meet the increasing industry needs in the Asean market," said Peter Fischer, senior vice president for BASF’s coatings solutions in the Asia Pacific.
"We’ve responded to our customers’ demand with the expansion of our Technical Competence Centre in Thailand."
"We believe that this centre will become an important business partner to our car and motorcycle customers in the region by providing them with innovative, reliable coatings solutions and supply capability. Our technical and production footprint follows the market needs and supports our customers’ growth plans."
The company said Asean had demonstrated robust growth in automotive manufacturing and Thailand was the region’s hub. By 2020, it said the compound annual growth rate of vehicle production in Asean was projected to be 4.6 per cent higher than 2014’s figure.
"BASF has been active in this region since 1966, with a strong foothold in Thailand," added Boonchai Opas-iam-likit, BASF group managing director for Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
"Thailand’s position as a key player will be further strengthened with the economic development of its neighbouring countries and the vision of the Asean Economic Community.
"The opening of this technical competence centre reflects the increasing prominence of the Asean automotive market and demonstrates the strategic importance of Asean to BASF’s coatings business."
BASF said its coatings division develops, produces and markets innovative automotive coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings and decorative paints.
It also operates in Europe, North America and South America. Within its network, it collaborates closely with customers all over the world.
In 2014, BASF said its coatings division achieved global sales of about 3 billion euro (Bt122 billion).
