German chemical company BASF has started producing its first bio-based polyol, Sovermol®, at its Mangalore site in India.
The product meets the increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions in various industries, such as New Energy Vehicles (NEV), windmills, flooring, and protective industrial coatings in the Asia Pacific region.
The Sovermol production facility is operational after comprehensive planning and construction, utilizing the existing facilities at the Mangalore site. The facility’s strategic location close to raw materials supply reduces transportation time and helps the company efficiently serve its customers in Asia Pacific.
According to Dr. Claus Dallner, Senior Vice President of the Global Business Unit Resins and Additives at BASF, “Asia Pacific is the world’s fastest-growing market for NEV and coatings. The Sovermol production facility is strategically located in Mangalore, close to raw materials supply. This will significantly reduce transportation time and contributes to our ambition to bring ‘best-in-class’ products and services efficiently to our customers in Asia Pacific.”
BASF’s Mangalore site has been operational since 1996 and is its largest production facility in South Asia, spread across more than 200 hectares. It produces polymer dispersions, fine chemical catalysts, and coatings for various industries, including paper, agriculture, and automotive.
Sovermol is made from renewable materials and contains zero volatile organic compounds (VOC). It is used to produce sustainable coatings and adhesives, enabling customers to reduce their carbon footprint and save resources.
Dr. Alba Mena Subiranas, Vice President of Operations of the Global Business Unit Resins and Additives at BASF, said, “We continuously strive to improve our technology and operations to achieve business success. The project demonstrates our capability to make continuous improvements by remodeling our operations at the Mangalore site.”