BASF marks 150th anniversary worldwide

LEADING global chemical company BASF kicks off its 150th anniversary celebrations with the launch a new book about its history in China. 

 

Titled “Breaking New Ground,” the book shows how the company’s commitment to the Chinese markets played a pivotal role in growing with China over the past 130 years. The book is published in Chinese, English, and German. The Chinese language version was presented in Beijing for the first time during the official kick-off of the anniversary celebration and co-creation programs in China, which will take place throughout the company’s 150th year.

 

BASF, then known as Badische Anilin- & Sodafabrik, sent a director named Theodor Sprösser to Chin  in 1885, its 20th year of existence. The purpose of the expedition was to explore new customer bases in China for BASF products such as the recently invented coal tar dyes.

 

According to Dr. Martin Brudermüller, vice chairman of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors, “At the time, German companies saw China as a new market on a largely unknown continent. For BASF today, our activities in China are an integral part of our company. In particular, China is of ever-increasing importance for our global R&D and innovation network.” 

 

 

The successful expedition led to BASF establishing a legacy in China for the next 130 years. The company achieved about €5.5 billion in sales in the Greater China region alone in 2014. In collaboration with partner Sinopec, it built one of its largest and most advanced Verbund sites in the Chinese city of Nanjing. 

 

BASF currently develops its innovative chemicals for the global marketplace directly in China. The company will open the second phase of its innovation campus in Shanghai this year. This campus is BASF’s largest research site in the Asia-Pacific and is an important component of the firm’s global research and development network. Beginning 2016, the company will locate the global headquarters of its Advanced Materials & Systems Research in Shanghai.

 

High-level symposia planned

 

BASF is also planning three high-level science symposia worldwide. One of these will be held in Shanghai this November and will focus on urban living. 

 

Further, the company will explore new methods of innovation at the Creator Space (TM) tour, which arrives in Shanghai this week and is a key element of the 150th anniversary celebration. 

 

During the book launch, Brudermüller and a group of experts presented their views about the future development of German-Chinese cooperation to help overcome challenges posed by major megatrends. With global population expected to breach the 9 billion mark by 2050 and 70% of the people expected to live cities, countries will face major challenges in terms of energy, raw materials, and food supply. Megacities alone in China are forecast to have 50 million to 60 million people.

 

Chemistry is seen as a key enabler in addressing these challenges. For its part, BASF is keen to expand activities in the Asia-Pacific through its Asia-Pacific strategy “grow smartly.” In addition to investments of €10 billion, the strategy outlines about 25% of BASF’s global R&D will be done in the Asia-Pacific by 2020.

 

Brudermüller said, “In expanding our strong global R&D network, we will considerably strengthen our innovation capabilities in the Asia-Pacific, enabling us to better serve our customers in all industries in the region.” 

 

“Breaking New Ground” can now be ordered at book stores or online booksellers. The book’s author, Michael Grabicki, who is also the former head of BASF’s media relations team, spent more than two years researching and writing the book. He conducted interviews with current and former employees of BASF in Germany and in China and worked with comprehensive material from the BASF corporate archive.