BASF Sees Strong Demand For Plastic Products From Auto Industry

JOHOR BAHARU, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- BASF, an international chemical firm, sees strong demand for its plastic products, especially from the automotive industry, says Hermann Althoff, group vice-president (engineering plastics) for Asia-Pacific.

China is expected to be the largest consumer, with the country's automotive industry surprisingly performing well despite the sluggish economic climate.

"The Chinese are now producing more cars than the Americans and Europeans. There's a lot of potential for us in that country," he told reporters.

Althoff said demand from the automotive industry will also be the main driver to BASF to achieve double-digit sales target in the Asia-Pacific operations.

"We've been seeing double-digit sales over the last few years and we expect to see the same performance based on strong demand from the automotive industry," he said.

Engineering plastics from BASF are used by automakers and Tier suppliers to make parts like oil sensors cylinder head covers, fans, air-coolers and new direct metalised headlamp bezels.

Bernama yesterday incorrectly stated that BASF produced the automotive parts instead of the plastics.

The error is regretted.

-- BERNAMA