BASF breaks ground on new Innovation Campus in Mumbai

BASF recently broke ground on a new Innovation Campus in Navi Mumbai, India. The company will invest approximately 50 million euros (Rs 382 creore) via BASF Chemicals India, a wholly owned subsidiary of BASF SE. The facility will accommodate around 300 scientists investigating areas such as crop protection, process development and polymer research.

In 2020, BASF aims to generate €30 billion of sales worldwide with products that have been introduced in the market since 2011. The basis for these innovations is effective and efficient research and development. To achieve this ambitious goal, BASF is further developing the research organization and bundling its competencies in three global platforms, with the headquarters of Advanced Materials & Systems Research based in the Asia Pacific region. The BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai) will be a key hub of BASF’s global research and development (R&D) network, and, next to Shanghai, BASF’s second major R&D location in Asia Pacific.

“The Asia Pacific region faces enormous challenges that we address with innovation from chemistry. BASF operates a strong global R&D network, which we will further strengthen with investments in innovation capacities in Asia Pacific. We will not only serve our customers in all industries in the region but also in other regions with global research projects that will be led out of Mumbai,” said Martin Brudermüller, vice- chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE, and responsible for the Asia Pacific region. “Along with this important new investment in the BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai), we are also establishing specialized research facilities in Asia Pacific in the areas of electronic materials, battery materials, catalysis, mining, water treatment, polymers and materials. Step by step, Asia Pacific thus becomes an integral part of our global innovation power.”

The BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai) will host global research activities and regional and local development activities. Development activities will serve BASF’s Performance Chemicals, Care Chemicals, and Pigments & Dispersions businesses. By combining development activities with global research, the campus will foster exchange of know-how and ideas about latest technologies and methods, ensure access to state-of-the-art equipment, and create synergies.

“The BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai) will bring the best international scientists from India and other parts of the world together into the global BASF R&D Verbund. BASF’s global major research platforms, from beginning of 2015 namely Advanced Materials & Systems Research, Bioscience Research, and Process Research & Chemical Engineering, will be active in Mumbai,” said Harald Lauke, designated President of Advanced Materials & Systems Research.

“In 2015, BASF will celebrate its 150th anniversary around the world, and we are taking this opportunity to invite people to collaborate on solutions for global challenges related to urban living, smart energy and food. In this spirit, a stronger R&D presence in India will create new opportunities for building up and expanding customer relationships and scientific cooperation programs that will benefit both BASF and the India R&D community. Additionally, the BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai) will open up career opportunities for local scientific talent,” said Raman Ramachandran, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF India Limited & Head South Asia.

The BASF Innovation Campus (Mumbai) will begin operation in 2017 and will include synthesis, application, process, and analytical laboratories. Along with scientific facilities, the 20,000 square metre site includes technical facilities, logistics areas, a full-scale auditorium and canteen, and employee amenities areas.

The new building will include multiple features designed to minimize energy use, including a secondary façade, a reflective roof, water chillers for air conditioning, and photovoltaic panels. The building will also maximize use of natural light through a glass-roofed atrium that directs daylight into the building core.