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BASF: BASF Coatings starts operations at production site for paints in Russia; Russian automotive market has great potential
[May 13, 2008]

BASF: BASF Coatings starts operations at production site for paints in Russia; Russian automotive market has great potential


(M2 PressWIRE Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
RDATE:13052008

Pavlovski Posad / Munster. BASF Coatings has started up its new
production site for paints in Russia. The new facility at Pavlovski
Posad, 60 kilometers east of Moscow, has an annual production capacity
of 6,000 tonnes of paints (basecoats and clearcoats). The new site will
supply customers in the burgeoning Russian automotive market with
high-quality coatings. In addition, it will offer customers local
support for application techniques and laboratory services. That makes
BASF Coatings the first international paint manufacturer to be able to
supply customers locally from its own production facility.

Our local production capacity provides us with a good basis for shaping
the dynamic development of the Russian automotive market, explains Juan
Ximenez-Camillo, head of BASF Coatings Automotive OEM Coatings unit for
Europe.

At the Pavlovski Posad site a staff of 50 is employed in production, at
the quality test lab, the warehouse and in the workshop. As demand
grows, the production line can also be expanded to a volume of
25,000-30,000 tonnes. Details on the amount invested were not disclosed.

For the Russian automotive industry, as well as for prominent carmakers
from all over the world, Russia has become an attractive market and
location for the production of cars.

Today, Russia is already considered to be one of the worlds four
largest growth markets, and it will be expanding in the coming years,
which will make it Europe's second strongest national economy, after
Germany. All of the key carmakers, including the Asian OEMs, are either
already represented in Russia or will be establishing their presence
there shortly.

In addition to quantitative growth, Russia is also experiencing a rise
in demand for high-quality paint technologies. BASF has years of
experience in close partnership with both Russian and multinational
customers, who we support with products and innovative solutions for
cost-effective and ecologically efficient finishing, says Semen
Belyakov, head of BASF Coatings in Russia.

About BASF Coatings

BASF Coatings, the Coatings Division of the BASF Group, develops,
produces and markets a high-quality range of innovative automotive OEM
coatings, automotive refinishes and industrial coatings as well as
decorative paints. BASF has significant market positions in the
Coatings sector in Europe, North America, South America and the
Asia/Pacific region. In 2007 BASF Coatings achieved global sales of
almost 2.6 billion euros. The internet address of BASF Coatings is
www.basf-coatings.com.

About BASF


BASF is the worlds leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from oil and gas to chemicals, plastics, performance
products, agricultural products and fine chemicals. As a reliable
partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more
successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions,
BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges
such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.

BASF has more than 95,000 employees and posted sales of almost 58
billion in 2007. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in
Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).

Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at
www.basf.com.

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