Mangalore, India – – BASF will launch a production line for precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts at the company's manufacturing site in Mangalore, India. These catalysts are important for the efficient production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Start-up of the new production line is slated for the second quarter of 2013. This will mark BASF's first manufacturing operation for chemical catalysts in Asia Pacific.

'BASF is an industry leader in developing cutting-edge catalysts and technologies for pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications,' said Dr. Hans-Peter Neumann, Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts and Technologies at BASF's Catalysts division. 'This expansion will allow us to cost effectively increase our manufacturing footprint and production capacity, leveraging an existing BASF facility to enhance our proximity to customers in the Asia Pacific region.'

'India is a significant growth market for the pharmaceutical industry. As population expands, the need for new and cost-effective life-saving drugs is also on a rise. BASF has a wide range of products and solutions which find application in the pharmaceutical industry. By introducing a new production line for precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts in India, we will expand our offerings to meet the needs of local pharmaceutical producers,' said Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia.

The Mangalore site is BASF's largest manufacturing site in India and in South Asia. Operational since 1996, it is currently engaged in the production of performance chemicals, dispersions and paper chemicals, automotive coatings, coil coatings and construction chemicals. BASF currently produces precious metal slurry catalysts at its operating sites in Rome, Italy, and Seneca, South Carolina.

Catalysts play a key role in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, agrochemicals, flavors and fragrances and nutrition components. Optimum catalyst selection and operation ensures the highest process yields and efficiencies.

About BASF's Catalysts Division

BASF's Catalysts division is the world's leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF's Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF's Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com.

BASF – The Chemical Company
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.