BASF expanding mobile emissions catalysts production capacity in India

December 19, 2013, Chennai: BASF Catalysts India (BASF) is expanding its mobile emissions catalysts production capacity in Chennai.

Construction of a new 47,000 square metre facility will begin in December 2013, enhancing the company’s existing emissions catalysts operation in Chennai with new production lines and manufacturing capabilities. Startup is planned in the first quarter of 2015.

Upon project completion, a total of nine manufacturing lines will be housed in the new operating site, producing light duty, heavy duty and motorcycle emissions control catalysts to meet growing market demand and customer technology needs. Once operating at full capacity, the site is expected to employ approximately 300 people.

“The pending expansion of Bharat Stage IV (Euro 4 equivalent) emissions control regulations in India combined with overall vehicle production growth will drive a significant increase in demand for our advanced emissions control solutions,” said Anup Kothari, vice- president, Mobile Emissions Catalysts Asia Pacific. “BASF is investing to more than double our manufacturing capacity in India to help customers meet these emerging needs. At the same time, this expansion project will allow us to establish Chennai as our regional production hub to serve the fast-growing motorcycle manufacturing markets in India and ASEAN.”

The expansion activity in Chennai will provide the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address the technology pathways developed with customers for BS IV compliant applications. In addition to existing catalysts technologies such as the TWC (Three-Way Catalyst), DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) and CSF (Catalyzed Soot Filter), the advanced SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology system will also be locally manufactured, ensuring world-class heavy duty diesel production capabilities in the region.

“BASF is committed to driving forward innovative and sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges facing our society,” said Dr Raman Ramachandran, chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia. “In the past, BASF has successfully delivered advanced emissions control catalysts for cars, trucks and motorcycles to customers in India and throughout South Asia. The expansion project further demonstrates our strong commitment to achieving ambitious growth in the region, and our focus on delivering effective solutions to leading OEMs to prepare them for future challenges.”

BASF in India has 2,157 employees at nine production sites, 8 sales offices and two R&D centres. In 2012, BASF registered sales of €1.14 billion (Rs 9,715 crore) to customers in India.