Germany-based BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, has opened a new R&D centre in Ansan, South Korea. The new facility houses a Consumer Electronics Competency Centre and a combined R&D team from BASF’s recent acquisition of Belgium-based Solvay’s polyamide business.

Andy Postlethwaite, senior vice-president of performance materials, Asia-Pacific, at BASF, explained in a company press release: “The new facility is a clear signal of our commitment to support our customers in developing innovative solutions. Pursuing innovation in new products and applications is our goal. We will leverage the extensive know-how of the combined business to develop advanced customer-oriented material solutions, as well as to drive more projects with our customers.”

The company’s recent acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide business has strengthened the company’s R&D capabilities and enables it to better serve its customers in Asia-Pacific. The new R&D team in South Korea will complement the company’s existing R&D operations in Shanghai.