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Experience BASF chemistry
in everyday life
T
he agricultural industry knows
BASF for their comprehensive crop
protection product range, but not
everybody realises that this chemi-
cal company’s productions and solutions
are used in a variety of end-consumer
products, ranging from your living room,
kitchen to the garage.
As part of BASF’s 150 year anniversary,
the company launched its first South Afri-
can and sub-Saharan “Africa Day” in June
this year. The aim of this day was to en-
gage with key stakeholders around global
topical issues as well as the broad range of
products that BASF offers.
The unique urban space concept exhibition
was attended by over 200 customers, prod-
uct distributors, members of the media,
South African government representatives
and BASF colleagues from Europe and sub-
Saharan Africa.
The 500 m
2
exhibition space was divided
into living areas applicable to the BASF
product offerings. In addition to the out-
door stand where the newest crop protec-
tion range in the agricultural sector was
discussed; paper, wood and furniture so-
lutions were also showcased in the living
room area.
Delegates were also introduced to a com-
prehensive product portfolio in the bath-
room area, ranging from hygiene, home
care to personal care products. The kitchen
showcased human nutrition, aroma ingre-
dients, animal nutrition and pharmaceuti-
cal ingredients and services. In the garage
space, visitors were shown the broad range
of solutions applicable to the automotive
industry. The company’s involvement with
coating applications was also explained,
while mining applications were experienc-
ed by a tour through an “underground
mine” space.
Business experiences of the company in
the sub-Saharan markets were also shared
with visitors at a stand, since BASF opened
business hubs and production sites in East
and West Africa.
Mr Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona (vice-pres-
ident and head of Business Centre BASF
South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa) said in
his welcoming address that the anniversary
year of BASF provides the company with a
unique opportunity to be more innovative
and progressive in the way they conceptu-
alise their celebration events.
“The key to us has been creating conver-
sations with all of our stakeholders, which
connects our strategy and our corporate
purpose, which is: ‘We create chemistry
for a sustainable future’. The latter express-
es what has made and continues to make us
successful. It encompasses three key con-
cepts: We develop innovations; we do this
in conjunction with others; and the solu-
tions we develop help make the future more
sustainable,” he explained.
Apart from the many networking opportuni-
ties and activities such as playing solutions-
based games, one of the other attractions
of the day was a “What if” wall where
BASF posted challenging questions around
the global topics of food security, smart
energy and urban living – the three focus
areas of the company’s anniversary year.
83
October 2015
RELEVANT
RUTH SCHULTZ,
SA Graan/Grain
contributor and BASF News Release
1: Donald Nonyane (senior engineer: Research and Development, Technology Centre, Sappi) standing in the living room where BASF illustrated the
average weight saved when wood-based panels are produced from a combination of “Kaurit
®
light foamed polymer and Kaurit glue” technology from
BASF.
2: Ulrike Zampieri (sales and industry manager: Care Chemicals, Nutrition & Health, BASF) in the bathroom section explaining that super absorbents
are used in hygiene products such as baby diapers, feminine care and adult incontinence protection. UV filters, polymers and emulsifiers are just some
of the products produced in the personal care industry.
3: Leah Müller (product manager) and Jenny Lombard (business manager) from Lake Foods enjoyed the networking opportunity in the kitchen where
BASF’s involvement in the food industry was discussed.
4: Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona also took a tour through urban space and paid a visit to the agriculture space.
5: Thandeka Molakeng (business team leader: BASF) in the garage talking to delegates about BASF solutions in the automotive industry, such as help-
ing to improve air quality with their innovative catalyst solutions.
6: The BASF Africa Day was a great networking opportunity for the wide spectrum of industries to which BASF supplies products and solutions.
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