PINGHU, China — The Surface Treatment business unit of the Coatings division of BASF, operating under the Chemetall brand, is investing in a state-of-the-art surface treatment site in the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone of Pinghu, Zhejiang province, China. The site, which is planned to be completed by 2021, will house production, warehousing, a state-of-the-art laboratory and administrative offices. This investment will strengthen Chemetall’s position in China. The site is ideally located at the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone of Pinghu, which provides excellent infrastructure to the project. Asia-Pacific is the largest surface treatment market.

“For Chemetall, a strong local presence in China is key to servicing our customers and delivering on the ‘expect more’ brand commitment to deliver the best customized solutions in the surface treatment industry,” said Martin Jung, Senior Vice President, Surface Treatment.

“This investment will create Chemetall’s most comprehensive site globally and enhance our customer support and supply chain to China. It will contribute to the expansion of a broad global portfolio across multiple segments, with quality and environmentally friendly products and system solutions for diverse market segments. These include automotive, auto components, coil, general industry, cold forming, aerospace, aluminum finishing and glass,” said Mike Watson, Vice President, Surface Treatment Asia Pacific.

BASF’s Coatings division has frequently invested in China, especially in Shanghai, to further enhance its proximity to customers in the fastest growing region for automotive coatings solutions. Examples are the first regional Automotive Application Center in Asia-Pacific at the BASF Innovation Campus Shanghai as well as a world-scale production facility that supports the growing Chinese automotive industry. The latest investment positions BASF as an even more complete solution provider for coatings by adding the surface treatment business operating under the Chemetall brand. “We are looking forward to serving our customers in China with outstanding products and services from a state-of-the-art surface treatment site in the Dushan Port Economic Development Zone of Pinghu,” said Jin Hui, General Manager Chemetall China.