BASF to take Nanotechnology to Asia

28/04/06 BASF has opened its first research center for nanotechnology in Asia. The new center in Singapore involves a €13 million expenditure up to 2008, and will employ 20 staff, mainly scientists and technicians. BASF already operates 17 development sites in Asia Pacific, but this is the first time the company is carrying out research dedicated only to nanotechnology in the region.

“This is a bold step for BASF – a step geared to helping us realize our ambitious goals in nanotechnology,” said Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, member of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors and Research Executive Director. “The new center will allow us to work more closely with highly respected research institutions in Asia and to attract top talent, enabling us to better serve our customers in the region.”

Marcinowski stressed that BASF would play an active role in Singapore’s outstanding research community through this new facility, while sharpening its current focus on the so-called ‘growth cluster’ nanotechnology. “We plan to spend around €180 million in nanotechnology research worldwide between 2006 and 2008,” he added.

Mr. Teo Ming Kian, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said: “We are delighted that BASF has selected Singapore to be a key node of their global R&D strategy. This is in line with EDB’s aim to move Singapore from simply being a place to implement technology efficiently, to one where we also create first-of-its-kind technology and know-how. The EDB warmly welcomes the opening of BASF’s Competence Center for Nanostructured Surfaces. It is a shining endorsement of the capabilities, infrastructure and intellectual property protection in Singapore.”

Dr. Martin Brudermüller, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and responsible for Asia Pacific, said, “This center will help us better pick up new emerging technology trends. It allows us to strengthen our ties with innovative, technology-driven customers in Asia and open up new market opportunities. As part of our global research network, this center will also exchange know-how, competencies and innovative solutions with other research centers in our global network, for example, in Europe and the United States.”

The Competence Center for Nanostructured Surfaces in Singapore will concentrate on nanostructured surface modification that could, for example, offer a solution to the problem of biofouling. Biofouling on ship hulls and other marine surfaces is an issue with both environmental and economic relevance. Although no alternatives to the use of biocides are available at present, developments in nanotechnology could offer an innovative and environmentally friendly solution. The objective of the project is to understand the mechanism of organism buildup on surfaces in seawater and to develop biocide-free nanostructured coatings that minimize the physical adhesion of marine organisms to surfaces.

BASF aims to concentrate major technology-driven issues of particular relevance to the future in growth clusters: energy management, raw material change, nanotechnology, plant biotechnology and white biotechnology. These cross-sectional technologies are outside the realm of the classical disciplines and can only be brought to fruition by interdisciplinary and international cooperation. Between 2006 and 2008, a total of €800 million will be allocated for the research activities pursued within the five growth clusters. BASF’s expenditures for research and development is projected to increase to €1,150 million in 2006, representing about 18 percent or €180 million more than in 2004.