October 25, 2015

　　BASF recently inaugurated a new production plant for concrete admixtures in Lagos, Nigeria. This is the company’s first production plant for the concrete additives knowns as concrete admixtures in Western Africa. BASF produces standard and custom-made performance concrete admixtures from the company’s comprehensive Master Builders® Solutions portfolio.

　　“We are now able to rapidly supply our customers with admixtures for all cement and aggregate types, whether their construction projects are located in the urban areas of western Africa or in more remote sites,” said Nair Narayanan, country manager for BASF Construction Chemicals, West Africa. He noted the company’s plans to initially respond to the needs of customers in Nigeria and then expand the business by exporting to neighboring west African countries such as Ghana, Liberia, Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, and the Ivory Coast.

　　The new facility also allows for products to meet the specific needs of local customers. “Our clear aim is to support the local industry by reducing imports, thereby minimizing the long lead times for supplies and other transport related issues, while supporting the economic growth of the region by creating employment opportunities,” said Christian Geierhaas, regional head of BASF’s construction chemicals division.

　　BASF says it has been actively selling construction chemicals to the western African market for more than 20 years. Other BASF production sites in Africa are located in Westonaria, South Africa; Algiers, Algeria; Sadat City, Egypt; Casablanca, Morocco; and Nairobi, Kenya.

　　According to BASF, its Construction Chemicals division employs approximately 5,400 employees and operates production sites and sales centers in more than 50 countries. Sales of about €2.1 billion were reported in 2014.