BASF AG has opened its first Asian research center for nanotechnology in Singapore. The center will include research related to plastics, especially for higher-grade automobile parts.
The 13 million euro (US$16.4 million) center opened April 28 and will work with other BASF research institutions in Asia, said Stefan Marcinowski, BASF research executive director.
Marcinowski said nanomaterials will be used in coatings, dispersions and plastics, in order to improve their performance or create new properties.
This is the first time that BASF is carrying out research dedicated only to nanotechnology in Asia Pacific, where it has 17 R&D plants.
``We plan to spend around 180 million euros in nanotechnology research worldwide between 2006 and 2008,'' Marcinowski said.