St Petersburg, Russia - BASF opened its first Russian applications technology centre for polyurethane systems in Vsevolozhsk, near St Petersburg. The group said that, as with its systems house in Nishnekamsk, which went into operation in 2000, this site will also be a part of the BASF joint venture Elastokam with the Russian company OAO Nishnekamskneftechim (NKNC).
The 2000 sq.m site houses a modern technology centre and office space, alongside storage areas and a test laboratory.
BASF said the centre will provide "comprehensive technical services and sales know-how for modern polyurethane systems to quickly and competently serve customers all over Russia and other CIS countries."
Equipment at the centre will allow technicians to test PU materials for a wide range of applications in the automotive and construction industries, as well as in CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers) related areas.
"With our investment into a second Russian site we emphasize the significance of this region for BASF and show our local customers that we want to be their preferred partner by supporting their growth requirements," said Raimar Jahn, president BASF Polyurethanes, in BASF's announcement.
Dr Uwe Hartwig, senior vice president BASF Polyurethanes Europe, stressed: "This new site will further strengthen our partnership-based customer relations in Russia, particularly in the St. Petersburg and Moscow region. In this way we have created a perfect basis for our customer success in a strongly growing market for polyurethane applications".
Elastokam has operated in the Russian PU market for 12 years. During this period the company has gained knowledge of local customers' requirements and technical expectations. Together with our customers we have developed a number of PU systems, adapted to the demands of certain production lines: Elastopor is successfully applied for thermal insulation of pipelines, Elastocool responds to complex technical requirements of local producers of refrigerators and other.
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