Agro Perspectiva

Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of a new BASF production hub for crop protection in Singapore

22.01.2020 12:20 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — New facility will supply crop protection products for the Asia Pacific market

Farmers in Asia Pacific to benefit from improved availability of BASF’s most innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions

Production start envisioned for Q3 2021 — with capacity to supply over 20 million hectares of farmland

BASF broke ground on a new regional production hub for its Agricultural Solutions business in Asia Pacific. Scheduled for completion in Q3 2021, the multipurpose facility has been designed to handle six different formulation technologies and will supply the company’s patented crop protection products to farmers across the fast-growing Asia Pacific region. When fully operational, the plant will have a production capacity of 7 million liters per year — enough to cover 20 million hectares of farmland — and employ a staff of more than 25 employees.

«The new plant is a key strategic investment for BASF as it seeks to expand its Agricultural Solutions business in Asia Pacific. The company chose Singapore as the best site for the new facility because of BASF’s existing infrastructure which allows a relatively fast production start. In addition, Singapore’s status as a world-class logistics hub alongside its free trade agreements with most Asia Pacific markets make it an ideal location for a facility of this nature,» said Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, Head of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions business in Asia Pacific.

Mr. Khalil A. Bakar, Director of Energy and Chemicals at the Singapore Economic Development Board recognized: «Securing future food supply is a global challenge. We are delighted that BASF has decided to establish its new regional production hub in Singapore, which will enhance the supply of safe, nutritious and affordable food in the region. Our proximity to the Asian markets will also enable BASF to capture new opportunities in the growing agricultural technology space.»

Vincent Gros, President of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division, remarked that the new investment further strengthens the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture in Asia Pacific, as well as the future presence of the agricultural industry in Singapore: «With this new facility, we will be able to help farmers in Asia, including many smallholders, improve the productivity and sustainability of their farms. We are very optimistic about the future of agriculture in the region, and the potential for Singapore to help serve as a hub for agricultural technology for Asia Pacific.»

BASF has recently launched several innovations in Asia Pacific targeted at helping farmers of key crops as well as of rice, fruits and vegetables to combat pests and boost yields in a more sustainable manner. These include crop protection products based on the company’s new active ingredients Inscalis® and Revysol® which help farmers control insects and diseases in crops with a favorable sustainability profile. Products featuring these two active ingredients as well as several soon to be launched products in the company’s innovation pipeline, will be produced at the new facility.