Today, BASF officially opened its first Russian applications technology center for polyurethane systems in Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg. Like the System House in Nishnekamsk, which went into operation in 2000, this site will also be a part of the BASF joint venture Elastokam with the Russian company OAO Nishnekamskneftechim (NKNC). The area of 2000 m2 houses a modern technology center and office space, alongside storage areas and a test laboratory.

This center will provide comprehensive technical services and sales know-how for modern polyurethane systems to quickly and competently serve customers all over Russia and other CIS countries. Equipment installed will make it possible to test PU materials for a wide range of applications in the automotive and construction industries, as well as in CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers) related areas. Training programs and practical seminars for the company’s customers and partners will also take place within the technology center.

“With our investment into a second Russian site we emphasize the significance of this region for BASF and show our local customers that we want to be their preferred partner by supporting their growth requirements“ stated Raimar Jahn , President BASF Polyurethanes. “This investment is part of the systematic implementation of our successful worldwide strategy of having sites that are close to the customer which will strengthen our leadership position in the polyurethanes market.”

Dr. Uwe Hartwig, Senior Vice President BASF Polyurethanes Europe, stressed: “This new site will further strengthen our partnership-based customer relations in Russia, particularly in the St. Petersburg and Moscow region. In this way we have created a perfect basis for our customer success in a strongly growing market for polyurethane applications”. Hartwig continued: “With its ‘PU Solutions’ approach, BASF is close to its customers and able to speak their language. We can enable our partners to draw on the expertise, solution-finding competence and global presence of BASF in many important industries.”

Elastokam is known for 12 years in the Russian PU market. During this period the company has gained knowledge of local customers’ requirements and technical expectations. Together with our customers we have developed a number of PU systems, adapted to the demands of certain production lines: Elastopor® is successfully applied for thermal insulation of pipelines, Elastocool® responds to complex technical requirements of local producers of refrigerators and other.