Jul 8 2008
As the leading supplier of polyurethane (PU) system solutions worldwide, BASF is further expanding its global network. With the establishment of two System Houses in Poland and Slovakia by the subsidiary Elastogran, BASF will meet the demand of the rapidly growing markets in Central and Eastern Europe. BASF is already the leading provider of PU specialties in these markets with sites in Hungary and Russia. Just like all other System Houses the new sites will also have local production, sales and development units to provide fast and competent service to their customers.
The market for PU systems in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is currently growing at rates of over 7%. The sustained demand is mainly driven by the automotive industry. In 2009 BASF will start local production and development of PU systems in the new System House near Bratislava thus further extending its leadership in this market.
In Poland BASF is also the market leader for polyurethane system solutions and the expected growth rates of up to 7% over the next few years are mainly achieved in the construction, cooling appliances and automotive industries. The new System House in Posnan will be commissioned in 2010.
“These investments will assure our leading position in polyurethanes and show our customers that we are prepared to accompany their growth in all regions of the world and that we want to be their preferred partner“, says Jacques Delmoitiez, President BASF Polyurethanes. “Our over 30 System Houses and the productions sites for the basic products MDI, TDI and polyols in all regions make us the only polyurethane manufacturer, who can supply its customers worldwide from local production sites.“ Only recently BASF has established a System House in Dubai and is planning further investments in the PU system business.
“Such commitment sustainably strengthens our leadership position in the attractive markets of Central and Eastern Europe”, says Dr. Uwe Hartwig, Group Vice President BASF Polyurethanes Europe. “We will continue to expand our System House network systematically in the years to come. Our customers will therefore always be able to rely on the quality of our products and services wherever they may be”, underlines the Managing Director of Elastogran.
"These investments in central Europe’s growing markets emphasize the significance of our region for BASF", says Herbert Frankenstein, Head of the Business Centers Europe Central.