Bangalore: BASF will launch a production line for precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts at the company's manufacturing site in Mangalore, India. These catalysts are important for the efficient production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Start-up of the new production line is slated for the second quarter of 2013 and will mark BASF's first manufacturing operation for chemical catalysts in Asia Pacific.

"India is a significant growth market for the pharmaceutical industry. As population expands, the need for new and cost-effective life-saving drugs is also on a rise," said Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia. "BASF has a wide range of products and solutions which find application in the pharmaceutical industry. By introducing a new production line for precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts in India, we will expand our offerings to meet the needs of local pharmaceutical producers."

"BASF is an industry leader in developing cutting-edge catalysts and technologies for pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications," said Dr. Hans-Peter Neumann, Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts and Technologies at BASF's Catalysts division. "This expansion will allow us to cost effectively increase our manufacturing footprint and production capacity, leveraging an existing BASF facility to enhance our proximity to customers in the Asia Pacific region."

The Mangalore site is BASF's largest manufacturing site in India and in South Asia. Operational since 1996, it is currently engaged in the production of performance chemicals, dispersions and paper chemicals, automotive coatings, coil coatings and construction chemicals. BASF currently produces precious metal-based fine chemical catalysts at its operating sites in Rome, Italy, and Seneca, South Carolina.

Catalysts play a key role in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, agrochemicals, flavors and fragrances and nutrition components. Optimum catalyst selection and operation ensures the highest process yields and efficiencies.