BASF Strengthens Footprint in Asia Pacific

04 Jan 2017 --- BASF have opened a new technical application laboratory for its nutrition and health business, located at Singapore Polytechnic. The new facility, Newtrition Lab Asia Pacific, will focus on providing analytical service and codeveloping products with customers in the region, catering to diverse markets across Asia Pacific to provide the right nutrients to the right people at the right time.

The BASF Nutrition & Health Division currently has three labs in Asia Pacific: Newtrition Lab China and pharma technical center, both in Shanghai, serving customers in Greater China; as well as the pharma technical center in Mumbai, India, which meets the needs of South Asian markets. The new application lab in Singapore, which serves customers in Asia Pacific, enhances BASF’s R&D footprint in the region. 
 
“BASF has consistently demonstrated leadership and dedication in innovation. With our advanced technologies and know-how in both human nutrition and pharma solutions, BASF is able to provide a one-stop, science-based nutrient solution to ensure that our customers are fully supported in delivering high efficacy products and solutions,” said François Scheffler, Vice President, BASF SE, Global Human Nutrition and Pharma Solutions. 
 
This is also the first time BASF has set up an application facility in a tertiary institution in Singapore. Experts in nutrition and health from BASF will work with researchers and students from Singapore Polytechnic to conduct research and develop innovative sciencebased solutions and concepts, to provide strategic support for the region’s customers. The laboratory is equipped with analysis and performance testing equipment to examine ingredients in finished food products such as dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages. Students will gain first-hand, practical experience using the latest technology to conduct product testing and research. 
 
“We are honored to work with Singapore Polytechnic on this meaningful partnership, which will allow us to serve our customers and simultaneously to develop the nutrition and health industry of tomorrow,” said Tina Low, Regional Director of BASF Human Nutrition Asia Pacific, “The global population is expected to grow to more than 10 billion by 2050. That’s 10 billion reasons for us to deliver more from less.”  

Speaking to FoodIngredientsFirst, Low said: “We have chosen Singapore as location for our new technical application laboratory to serve customers not only locally, but in the whole Asian Pacific region. For our Nutrition & Health business, the proximity of Singapore to other ASEAN markets is a huge benefit. Plus, Singapore mirrors the Asian Pacific region with its demographic diversity, as well in ethnic groups as in age.” 

She adds: “BASF’s network of Newtrition application labs offers an array of services on a worldwide basis with special attention paid to regional preferences and cultural differences. Our work in the application lab is all about finding solutions to provide the right nutrients to the right people at the right time.”

“The new application lab in Singapore enhances BASF’s R&D and innovation footprint in the region and serves the needs of customers all over Asia Pacific. With this lab, we will focus on providing analytical service and co-developing science-based products with customers in the region, catering to the diverse population and markets in Asia Pacific,” Low concludes.  

BASF’s network of Newtrition Application Labs offers an array of services on a worldwide basis with special attention paid to regional preferences and cultural differences. BASF  jointly develops products with customers on site for the market segments food, beverages and dietary supplements. BASF maintains four Newtrition Labs in Europe focused on dietary supplements, food and beverages, as well as one Newtrition Lab in North America, and one in South America.  

by Elizabeth Kenward