BASF opens Russian catalyst plant

Moscow/Russia – BASF Catalysts has officially opened its new plant for automotive emissions catalysts in Krasnogorsk, 30 km from central Moscow. “Russia is implementing strict emission standards over the next few years, for which Russian automotive OEMs need an experienced, knowledgeable techno-logy provider who understands the Russian market,” said Mikhail Rodkin, Director, Environmental Catalysis Research at BASF Catalysts. Over the next several years Russia will phase in EU emission standards that will dramatically reduce pollution from cars, trucks and buses. BASF has developed catalysts that meet the new standards cost-effectively, said Dr. Rodkin, and sees Russia as an important part of its future global growth strategy for emission-control technologies. BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The Krasnogorsk site will have close links to BASF Catalysts’ long-standing precious metal trading operations in Moscow.