BASF broke ground on its new Polyurethane Application Development Laboratory in Mumbai, India. The new lab will house state-of-the-art applications equipment in an approximately 2,000 sq meter space.
To be inaugurated in 2024, the lab will strengthen collaboration with Indian customers from high-growth industries, including consumer appliances, construction, footwear, furniture, and transportation.
It will offer improved customer support services ranging from troubleshooting to customized formulations, line trials, and customer training sessions. This will help drive innovation with customers alongside the Creation Center, located at BASF‘s Innovation Campus in Mumbai.
“As a part of the global innovation network, the lab will enable global and regional BASF teams to work closely with local customers in testing and formulation optimization,” said Andy Postlethwaite, Senior Vice President, Performance Materials Asia Pacific.
“BASF has been providing technical services to customers, enabling the co-creation of innovative product solutions with its high-performance materials. With our strength in innovation and comprehensive range of high-quality solutions, we help our customers meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards and optimize product properties for their specific needs at an early stage.”
“India is one of the fastest growing markets for BASF in the Asia Pacific. The new lab reinforces our commitment to strengthening our product development capabilities and providing fast and advanced technical service for our customers. The investment will enable us better address customer needs for a diverse range of industries,” said Krishnamohan Narayan, Managing Director, BASF India Limited and Head, BASF Group Companies in India.
Polyurethanes are used extensively in automotive, construction, and consumer applications and in collaboration with leading brands. For example, molded flexible polyurethane foam is the backbone of automotive seating and an essential component of user experience in modern vehicles.
“Manufacturers of molded polyurethane foam need high-quality products, constant innovation, and access to a broad selection of raw materials to meet the stringent requirements of OEMs. Our lab help tests these foams for comfort, performance, emission reduction, and productivity,” Narayan added.