BASF and Top Asian Universities
Establish Joint Research Network
BASF has established the research initiative “Network for Advanced Materials
Open Research” (NAO) together with
seven leading universities and research institutes in China, Japan and South Korea.
The scientists aim to cooperate in developing new materials for a wide range of
applications. The initial focus is on products for the automotive, construction, detergent and cleaners industries as well as
the water and wind energy industries.
“The initiative is a further important step in BASF’s strategy to expand
global research activities,” said Christian
Fischer, president Advanced Materials
and Systems Research. BASF plans to
conduct 50 percent of its research activities by 2020 outside of Europe – one
quarter in Asia Pacific. BASF has also
launched similar initiatives around the
world, the “Joint Research Network
on Advanced Materials and Systems”
(JONAS) in Europe, as well as the
“North America Center for Research on
Advanced Materials” (NORA).
The Beijing University of Chemical
Technology, the Beijing Institute of
Technology, the Changchun Institute of
Applied Chemistry, Fudan University,
Hanyang University, Kyoto University and
Tsinghua University are participating in the
initiative. The researchers are being supported and advised by a scientific committee comprising six independent professors
and scientists from BASF.
“Open research activities like NAO
contribute to BASF’s regional ‘grow smartly’ strategy to develop innovations in Asia
Pacific together with and for our customers
in Asia and the world. Simultaneously, this
demonstrates the attractiveness of BASF for
young researchers in the region,” said Karl-Rudolf Kurtz, senior vice president, BASF
Research Representative Asia Pacific.
The academic partners are not only
contributing their scientific expertise in
material sciences, modeling and synthesis methods, but are also introducing
ideas for interesting research approaches.
Besides their well-founded scientific
knowledge, the BASF researchers also
possess the necessary experience in translating the research findings into technically feasible solutions and identifying
which material properties are required
for different industries and applications.
The cooperation has a long-term focus, with ideas and projects developed
and established jointly by the partners.
“The initiative is based on a spirit of
trusting cooperation, as well as open-
ness and the willingness to think and
move in new directions,” said BASF re-
searcher Sébastien Garnier, located in
Shanghai, who heads the NAO research
network. “With such diverse teams,
each partner benefits from the knowl-
edge of the other experts.”
Initial research projects have already
been launched across the region and oth-
ers are in preparation. One example at
Hanyang University in South Korea is the
development of a modelling tool to predict
the aging properties of composite systems
used in the wind industry. A project cur-
rently in progress at Fudan University in
Shanghai is the development of novel coat-
ing systems based on hybrid materials.
Professor Limin Wu, Dean of the Institute
of Material Sciences of Fudan University,
said: “The cooperation with BASF in the
network is enabling the researchers of my
working group to familiarize themselves
with the scientific background of specific
applications. At the same time, they are
gaining access to the most cutting edge
technologies. This type of research is gen-
erating powerful dynamics and great inter-
est among my colleagues and students.”
Wacker and Chinese
Ministry Of Commerce
Reach Agreement for
Imported Poysilicon
Wacker Chemie AG and the Chinese Ministry
of Commerce (MOFCOM) have resolved
the issue of polysilicon exports to China. An
agreement to this end was signed in Beijing.
WACKER, for its part, undertakes not to sell
polysilicon produced at its European plants
below a specific minimum price in China.
MOFCOM, in turn, will refrain from apply-
ing anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on
this material. The agreement takes effect on
May 1, 2014, and lasts until the end of April
2016. Appropriate schemes ensure that the
Munich-based chemical group can continue
to offer its polysilicon at standard market
conditions in China in the future. WACKER
and MOFCOM have agreed not to disclose
the contents and details of the agreement
. “I am pleased that existing differences
concerning the prices for our polysilicon
exports to China have been successfully
resolved through dialogue,” said WACKER
CEO Rudolf Staudigl in an initial statement.
“The agreed solution is in the best interests
of both WACKER andChina’s solar industry.
We can continue supplying our high-quality
material at competitive prices to our Chinese
customers, who need it to produce highly ef-
ficient solar modules. This agreement is an
excellent example of how conflicting opin-
ions in trade issues can be amicably solved
through constructive discussions and nego-
tiations based on trust.”
BASF Helps Launch
Robotics Team with $5,000
Donation
BASF presented a $5,000 donation to
Central Middle School in Ascension
Parish to launch a robotics team that
will compete in the FIRST LEGO
League (FLL). BASF is piloting the program at Central Middle School with
the intent of forming additional teams
at other middle schools throughout
Ascension Parish. This is the latest initiative in the company’s ongoing effort
to promote and improve science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
education in schools. The company
also sponsors the FIRST Robotics
Competition (FRC) team of Ascension
Parish high school students based at
East Ascension High School. Employees
