PRESS RELEASE
FLORHAM PARK , NJ, November 18, 2011
BASF positions surfactants business for the future
Washington, New Jersey, operations will transition to Geismar, Louisiana
FLORHAM PARK , NJ, November 18, 2011 – BASF today announced that the company will transfer production of surfactants and other products manufactured at its Washington, New Jersey, site to Geismar, Louisiana. The Geismar facility is BASF's largest integrated site in North America. The Washington facility will close by the end of 2014.
"Growing our surfactants manufacturing at the Geismar site is another example of BASF's commitment to the care chemicals market," said Dirk Buengel, Senior Vice President, BASF Care Chemicals in North America. "It will position our surfactants business for the future. A new state of the art facility in Geismar offers a sustainable long-term platform for our products.
The Washington site will continue to manufacture products until operations in Geismar are in full production in 2014. The site has 60 employees and 15 contractors.
"We are committed to a sufficient supply overlap that will allow for a smooth transition for our customers," said Buengel. "Our commitment also takes into account the appropriate qualification period required to transition products, including those used in pharmaceutical applications." The Washington site began surfactant and polyol production in 1961. BASF acquired the facility in 1970. The facility manufactures surfactants used in many consumer, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The site also makes products used in coatings, agricultural pesticides, metal working products and plastic additives.
"We are very grateful to the team at the Washington site that has run a safe and efficient manufacturing plant for nearly 50 years," said Buengel. "Their dedication and commitment to producing quality products is commendable and we thank them in advance for continuing to produce these products for the next three years."
About BASF Care Chemicals BASF's Care Chemicals division offers a broad portfolio of products and solutions for personal care, home care, hygiene, industrial & institutional cleaning as well as a comprehensive spectrum of technical applications. Through the acquisition of Cognis, Care Chemicals has become the leading supplier to the cosmetics industry and has strengthened its number one position in products for the detergents and cleaners industry. The high quality product portfolio of the division mainly comprises surfactants, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, UV filters and biocides. Superabsorbents, developed for the requirements in all fields of hygiene applications, round out the offering. Care Chemicals operates production and development sites as well as sales offices all over the world.
BASF - The Chemical Company. BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has approximately 16,400 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.7 billion in 2010. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us . BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner, BASF creates chemistry to help 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 posted sales of more than €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com .
Contact Laura Partynski Phone: (973) 245-7838 Fax: (973) 245-6714 Maureen Paukert Phone: (973) 245-6077 Fax: (973) 245-6715