BASF will invest in a dispersions plant in Durban, South Africa. The new plant will produce acrylic dispersions mainly for the coatings and construction industry. The facility will benefit from local availability of raw materials and proximity to key customers who serve South Africa’s and Sub Saharan Africa’s fast-growing markets. Production is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2012.

South Africa is the largest market for dispersions in Sub-Saharan Africa. “With this new facility, we are well positioned to support our customers’ growth in South Africa and its neighboring countries providing BASF’s quality, service and reliable supply” said Christoph Hansen, Senior Vice President Dispersions for Adhesives and Construction Europe. With its portfolio of specialties, BASF can help customers move towards more environmentally friendly technologies such as reduced Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and products free of alkyl phenol ethoxylate (APEO). This investment reflects BASF’s focus on participating in the strong growth markets in emerging Africa.