BASF books Rp 400b in sales

JAKARTA (JP): BASF Indonesia Group, a subsidiary of German chemical maker BASF AG, announced yesterday its sales volume hit Rp 400 billion (US$165.35 million) last year.

BASF Indonesia's chief executive officer, Danny Jozal, attributed the increase to the production of pigments or pigment preparations, polymer dispersions and process chemicals for the paper, textile and leather industries, and vitamins for animal nutrition.

"Our marketing activities in chemicals fertilizers and plastics also contributed to the success," he said.

Jozal said the company expected steady growth because of growing opportunities in the field of polymer dispersions and process chemicals.

The process chemicals and polymer division's production capacity rose to 60,000 a year.

To strengthen its position in ASEAN markets the company had established a regional customer service laboratory in Jakarta, he said.

"We aim to export between 25 and 30 percent of our total production output," he said.

He said BASF would buy a 20-hectare plot for its new site this year as part of its expansion program.

In 1996, BASF withdrew from its global tape and cassette making business to concentrate on its core business of chemical products because of the rapid change of recording technology. (02)