BASF Middle East and Astra Polymers Reinforce Cooperation

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• Publié par: basf-fze
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• Langue: English

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BASF Middle East and Astra Polymers

Reinforce Cooperation

PR Newswire

DUBAI, UAE, July 5, 2012

DUBAI

, UAE,

July 5, 2012

/PRNewswire/ --

BASF Plastic Additives Middle East and Astra Polymers have signed a

new contract that will see the two companies continue to work

together to produce Customer SpecificBlends (CSB) in the

Kingdom of

Saudi Arabia

(KSA). This cooperative agreement combines the

expertise of the two companies, bringing two complementary form-

giving technologies for additive blends to customers in the region.

This will position BASF to maintain its leadership position in the

plastic additives market in the

Middle East

.

Astra Polymers has for several years operated BASF-owned production lines at

its

Dammam

premises, producing CSB. Astra Polymers' breadth of experience

in the field of Masterbatch and Compounding add considerable value,

enhancing BASF's production capacities in the

Middle East

. BASF Plastic

Additives Middle East markets and sells the CSB.

Says Frank Fasdernes, Director Business Management Plastic Additives for

Africa

,

Eastern Europe

,

Western Asia

: "Astra Polymers has proven its

capabilities as a partner to BASF in the production of CSB. Its strong

commitment to quality and growth supports the positioning of BASF as a

market leader for CSB in the

Middle East

. With the launch of our production

facility in

Bahrain

in quarter 4 of 2012, we will continue to cooperate with Astra

Polymers as our partner in KSA to produce CSB."

Adds Bandar N. Al-Saqer, CEO Astra Polymers: "The success of both companies

in the growing plastics industry in the

Middle East

is proof that our cooperative

agreement is well founded, adding value to both our companies and the

industry. Astra Polymers is highly committed to the development of the

downstream market. As market leaders, our combined efforts make the

promise of flexibility, quality and innovation tangible to our customers."

At a ceremony in

Dammam

earlier this month Astra Polymers, BASF Plastic

Additives Middle East and BASF Switzerland AG signed a long term contract to

extend their existing production cooperation agreement in the field of plastic

additives.

"We are extremely happy to continue CSB production in KSA with a strong

partner like Astra Polymers," says John Frijns, Senior Vice President, Plastic

Additives Europe/EAWA. "BASF's combined global production capacity for

antioxidants and CSB, paired with Astra Polymers plant in KSA, and our new

facility in

Bahrain

, shows our on-going commitment to this growing market.

About BASF Plastic Additives

BASF is a leading manufacturer, supplier and innovation partner of additives

and pigments for the plastics industry such as ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizers,

antioxidants and process stabilizers, organic and inorganic pigments, effect

pigments, and other additives.

About Astra Polymers

Astra Polymers is the largest and leading company that develops and produces

plastic compounds in the

Middle East

. The company has developed a strong

reputation locally and internationally, specializes in producing high quality

masterbatch, compounds for pressure pipes for water or gas, superior colors,

dust free additives, and thermoplastic compounds as well as liquid and paste

dyes. Astra Polymers owns five factories (KSA, UAE,

Turkey

and

India

) that

specialize in the production of masterbatches for most plastic application.

Since its establishment in 1993, the company has taken unprecedented firm

steps to reach its goals, and this is reflected in its success in the plastic industry.

Further information on Astra Polymers is available on the website at:

http://www.astra-polymers.com.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its

portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop

protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social

responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we

enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future

needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving

resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the

quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose:

We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about

€73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of

the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in

Frankfurt

(BAS),

London

(BFA) and

Zurich

(AN). Further information on BASF is available on the

Internet at http://www.basf.com.

Karen Gallacher Smythe

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]