BASF sparks innovation through new partnerships

Why does BASF want to take part in the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK)?

At BASF, we intensively collaborate and innovate with customers and partners in Asia Pacific to contribute to a sustainable future.

Understanding the fast changing dynamics of the region and a country like Vietnam and preparing for this is of the utmost importance for success. The exchange and sharing of experiences with partners and other stakeholders, along with discussion of major trends in society, the environment and regulation is valuable to position a company for the future.

The APK forum serves as a bridge that allows us to connect with customers and stakeholders in the region and to demonstrate our expertise in delivering contributions to tackle many of today’s and tomorrow’s challenges in Vietnam and other parts of Asia.

What key messages will BASF highlight at the forum? How can these messages be translated into action in Vietnam?

Vietnam is a market in the Asia Pacific region where BASF sees solid business opportunities, based on our focus on sustainability. In particular, we see opportunities in areas such as affordable housing, nutritious food, and energy efficient transportation.

Just to take one example,Vietnam manufactures approximately three million motorcycles annually. However, more motorcycles also mean more challenges such as air quality and energy use. BASF has developed innovations such as a coating process which reduces energy and heat use in production. We also offer solutions that improve emissions control, quality, appearance, safety, cost competitiveness, performance, comfort, and fuel efficiency of two-wheeler vehicles.

I can give many more examples in areas such as micronutrients for food fortification that help provide better nutrition to children and adults, crop protection solutions that increase agricultural yields, and concrete admixtures that help buildings go up faster and stay standing longer.

How do you view German investment in Vietnam? What’s BASF’s role in this picture?

Vietnam and Germany have a long-standing diplomatic and co-operative relationship. According to the Foreign Investment Agency in Vietnam, Germany currently ranks one of the top 30 out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam as of June 2014. I believe with the right partnerships, this can increase.

Vietnam and Germany have a great deal to offer each other. There is great potential in combining the wealth of technical and innovation know-how from German companies with the deep market knowledge and can-do attitude of Vietnamese companies. We are confident that the business development and trade between both countries will increase.

BASF has been active in Vietnam since the establishment of its representative office in 1994. BASF sales to customers in Vietnam were approximately €186 million in 2013, the most recent reporting year. BASF also employed a staff of 133 in Vietnam as of the end of 2013.

BASF recently opened in Vietnam a polyurethane technical service lab, which provides BASF customers with world class PU solutions tailored to increasing local needs such as energy efficiency in construction or light, comfortable and fashionable footwear products. The lab can also provide speedy local support in both sales and technical services. This investment further signifies BASF’s commitment to local customers in helping them timely address industry challenges, whether it is about production efficiency or environmentally-friendly solutions.