BASF has opened an expanded Coatings Technical Competence Center ASEAN in Bangkok, Thailand. Located at the BASF site in Bangpoo, the Center spans about 2,300 square meters, and aims to serve automotive industry in the ASEAN region. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and laboratory for product development, performance testing, color design, as well as a production unit.

“We leverage our successful experiences with key customers and our global expertise to meet the increasing industry needs in the ASEAN market. We respond to our customers’ demand with the expansion of our Technical Competence Center in Thailand,” said Peter Fischer, senior vice president, Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific, BASF. “We believe that this center will become an important business partner to our car and motorcycle customers in the region, by providing them with innovative, reliable coatings solutions and supply capability. Our technical and production footprint follows the market needs and supports our customers’ growth plans.”

The ASEAN region has demonstrated robust growth in automotive manufacturing and Thailand is the region’s hub. By 2020, the compound annual growth rate of vehicle production in ASEAN is projected to be  4.6% from 2014 (source: LMCA August 2015).

“BASF has been active in this region since 1966, with a strong foothold in Thailand,” added Boonchai Opas-iam-likit, BASF’s group managing director of Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. “Thailand’s position as a key player will be further strengthened with the economic development of its neighboring countries and the vision of the ASEAN Economic Community. The opening of this technical competence center reflects the increasing prominence of the ASEAN automotive market and demonstrates the strategic importance of ASEAN to BASF’s coatings business.”