BASF Vietnam Co. Ltd. will target growth industries in Vietnam, including electrical and electronics, construction, footwear, crop protection, plastic and packaging, petrochemicals, animal and human nutrition as well as coatings.

“Vietnam is a key market for BASF in the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] subregion, and its dynamic economy offers good growth opportunities. We therefore want to establish a stronger presence so that we are closer to our customers and better able to serve them,” said Tilman Krauch, president for regional functions and country management in the Asia Pacific for Ludwigshafen-based BASF.

“This is both a timely and strategic move. Over the recent years, our business in Vietnam has grown rapidly. With the formation of BASF Vietnam, we will become more market-focused and more aligned in our product and solution offerings for specific customer industries,” added John Fastier, managing director for the ASEAN region for BASF South East Asia Pte Ltd.

BASF has had a presence in Vietnam since 1994 with a representative office, and it has been active in the construction chemicals business since 2006.

Jirawat Thongbai, currently chief representative of BASF’s representative office in Vietnam, will assume the role of managing director for BASF Vietnam.