BASF a Major Sponsor at World ecoConstruct 2012, Abu Dhabi, 22-25 April

DUBAI, April 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

BASF's sustainable cladding, insulation and flooring - eco solutions that drive higher performance

In 2012, growth in new construction in the Emirates is expected to leap by 26%, increasing the estimated US$1.249 trillion in ongoing construction in the UAE by more than US$15 billion. With sustainable construction now a strong driver in every segment of the construction sector, BASF will showcase some of its leading sustainable construction solutions at World ecoConstruct, an international exhibition focusing on sustainable design and construction for the built environment.

World ecoConstruct will take place from 22 - 25 April. It features the infrastructure ARABIA Summit - the largest gathering of public and private sector engineering and infrastructure professionals in the region, and is co-located with Cityscape Abu Dhabi, an event which introduces the local, regional and international projects to a global audience.

World ecoConstruct offers a crucial sourcing, knowledge and collaboration platform for stakeholders in the construction industry and leading construction material producers. It also features a global summit, workshops and training courses. More than 30,000 visitors from across the Middle East, Africa and Asian sub-continent are expected to attend.

Located in the heart of World ecoConstruct is the FutureBuild Open-Air Showcase. Here members of the FutureBuild Community - a database of suppliers offering independently assessed eco-approved s products used in the Masdar City Development -- will have the opportunity to showcase their accredited green products and services in an interactive environment. BASF is a major supplier to the Masdar City Project.

Says Harald Kroll, Managing Director of BASF FZE: "World ecoConstruct creates a platform that comprehensively examines how the various pieces fit together to make sustainability successful in this region. BASF is proud to be associated with this event." BASF is a Gold and FutureBuild Sponsor at World ecoConstruct and will showcase its advanced sustainable cladding, insulation and flooring products at Stand FB50, as well as its BASF Kids Lab.

Speaking out

BASF is the leading construction chemical company in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) with over 30 years of experience in the region. Speakers at the event include BASF's Dr. Dirk Funhoff, Head of European Construction Competence Center, BASF-The Chemical Company, who will discuss 'Identifying and utilising materials for sustainable construction" on the opening day of the Summit. At the FutureBuild Open-Air Showcase, David Bowerman, Regional Business Segment Manager for BASF Construction Chemicals responsible for Middle East, West Asia, CIS and Africa, will speak on 'Use of admixture technology to improve the sustainability of concrete'; Ash Raouf, Business Development Manager, will discuss 'Green Buildings and Sustainable Construction in Abu Dhabi and Dubai'; and Venkatesh R, Sales and Industry Manager for Performance Polymers, Middle East, will discuss the Energy Efficiency of Thermal Insulation, illustrating the advantages of using innovative products like BASF's Neopor.

Eco-solutions must demonstrate higher performance

Says Kroll: "The built environment contributes significantly to global warming and introduction of sustainable building practices has long been a key focus area in the region, with issuing of 'green building codes' by government driving the trend. At BASF we believe that for a sustainable future, the development and use of responsible technology is a fundamental principle that needs to be underwritten by the entire construction supplychain, and built into the conception, design, construction and full lifecycle of the building. But sustainability is not just about using more eco-friendly solutions - we believe sustainable solutions must also demonstrate higher performance."

BASF Construction Chemicals has one of the broadest portfolios of raw materials, formulations and systems for sustainable construction. Says Christian Geierhaas, Marketing Management Head:  "Our insulation materials (EIFS) reduce green-house gas emissions in the construction sector by reducing the energy demand of buildings; we have repair mortars, sealants and coatings that can extend the service-life of buildings; our low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) dispersions reduce indoor emissions in buildings; and our cement and concrete additives make construction faster and more efficient, and allow the re-use of industrial by-products in concrete."

Showcase products

Products BASF will showcase at World ecoConstruct include:

• Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) - insulation materials that reduce green-house gas emissions in the construction sector by reducing the energy demand of buildings by 30-50%. BASF's wall systems under the Senergy^® brand name comprise multiple layers for insulating and protecting exterior surfaces, making it possible to cool buildings efficiently and thus reduce the consumption of energy. See: http://www.wallsystems.basf.com
• Neopor^®cooling insulation - Neopor is an innovative material for insulating walls, roofs and floors. By virtue of inbuilt infrared absorbers, Neopor has a better insulation performance than conventional insulation materials. Calculations carried out by the Passivhaus Institute Darmstadt, Germany show that in hot climatic zones insulation panels made of Neopor significantly reduce overheating and the hours of active cooling. Depending on the type and design of a house, at least 40 percent of the cooling energy can be saved in this way and CO₂ emissions lowered. See: http://www.neopor.de
• Terrazzo flooring - décor that performs. Terrazzo floors have an outstanding record of durability - they've been around for hundreds of years. Composed of naturally occurring aggregates, recycled glass and an epoxy binder - all zero VOC materials -- BASF's Terrazzo flooring system offers extremely low maintenance costs. In addition, the non-porous, cleanable terrazzo finish does not support bacterial growth or allow moisture to accumulate, helping to maintain a mould free environment with improved air quality.

About BASF

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at http://www.basf.com.

Karen Gallacher Smythe
Phone: +971-50-459-4713
Fax: +971-4-8836787
karen.gallacher@basf.com