BASF to build semiconductor materials plant in Ludwigshafen

Ludwigshafen - BASF started the construction of an integrated production plant for process chemicals for the semiconductor industry in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF is investing a double-digit million euro sum in the Electronic Material Center Europe, which is scheduled to open at the end of 2007.

BASF supplies chemicals for the semiconductor industry and for the production of flat screens. In addition to the Electronic Material Center Europe, BASF is also building a clean room laboratory and an application center in Ludwigshafen that will open in fall 2006.

BASF said that overall it has budgeted to spend about €6 billion in Ludwigshafen between 2005 and 2009 on capital expenditure, modernization and maintenance of its plants as well as an additional €800 million (about $1.0 billion) per year on R&D.