BASF India Limited recently inaugurated its large-scale chemical production complex at Dahej in Gujarat, India. With a project cost of INR1,000crore (approximately EUR150 million), the site represents BASF’s single largest investment in India.

The site was jointly inaugurated by Smt. Anandiben Patel; Honorable Chief Minister of Gujarat; ShriSaurabhbhai Patel;Honorable Minister for Finance, Energy and Petrochemicals, Government of Gujarat ; and Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE.

Heinz says that the site is part of BASF’s2013-2020 investment plans worth more than EUR10 billion in Asia Pacific.

Dr Raman Ramachandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia, said that the new production hub, including the first MDI splitter in South Asia, will enable BASF to increase its long-term competitiveness significantly in this key market.

The site includes an integrated hub for polyurethane (PU) manufacturing and production facilities for care chemicals and polymer dispersions. The care chemicals facility at the Dahej site hosts the first BASF sulfation plant in India, which will cater to customers in the fast-moving consumer goods sector.

The polymer dispersions plant will expand BASF’s production footprint in the dispersions business, complementing the Mangalore facility. It will serve paper and board, architectural coatings, construction, adhesives, and fibre bonding customers, located in northern and western India.

The integrated PU manufacturing facility will host am MDI (methylene diphenyldiisocyanate) splitter for processing crude MDI, a core component in the manufacture of versatile polyurethane products. They are used extensively for cold as well as heat insulation applications and are the preferred material for improving safety in transportation, and enhancing energy efficiency and comfort at home.

The site will also produce ElastollanTPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), Cellasto(microcellular polyurethane components) and PU Systems. The integrated hub will support the demand of industries in the appliances, footwear, automotive, construction, and furniture segment.