BASF unveils Asia-Pacific investment plan

File photo of flags of the German chemical company BASF in Monheim April 20, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

BASF SE - the world's largest chemicals company by sales - will invest 10 billion euros ($13.5 billion) with partners in the Asia-Pacific region by 2020 to boost growth, with half of it to be invested in the Chinese market.

Albert Heuser, president and chairman of BASF China, estimated that half of the investment will be used to strengthen the capabilities of existing plants, expand research and development facilities, and launch new projects.

A source at the German company said the company will be responsible for collecting about 80 percent of the funds, with the rest raised by its partners.

Heuser said projects will be launched in Shanghai and in some western Chinese cities to meet the growing market demand.

About 25 percent of the company's global R&D will be conducted in Asia Pacific by 2020, aiming to develop innovative solutions to address the region's challenges of resource efficiency, food and nutrition, and quality of life, said Martin Brudermuller, vice-chairman of the BASF board of executive directors for Asia Pacific.

"Based on our strong global R&D network, we will considerably strengthen our innovation capabilities in Asia Pacific, enabling us to better serve our customers in all industries in the region," Brudermuller said.

By 2020, BASF plans to have a total of around 3,500 R&D staff in the region, up from about 800 in 2012.

The company is also establishing research facilities in the areas of electronic materials, battery materials, agriculture, catalysis, mining, water treatment, polymers and minerals.