Strengthened commitment to Abu Dhabi as one of the company's regional focus markets

Focus on the oil and gas industry with portfolio specialized on gas treatment, catalysts, adsorbents and petrochemicals

Extension of the long-term cooperation with the Kanoo Group

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, May 4, 2016 - BASF, the world's leading chemical company, and the Kanoo Group, one of the largest independent, family-owned companies in the Gulf region with extensive operations in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), today inaugurated a new branch office in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Housed in the Nation Towers close to the Corniche, the new office is located centrally in Abu Dhabi city.

"With our new Abu Dhabi branch office, we extend the long-term cooperation with our Joint venture partner, the Kanoo Group, focusing on the oil and gas industry," said Dr. Jens Rudolph, Managing Director at BASF Middle East Chemicals LLC in Abu Dhabi, and continued: "With our current product portfolio specialized on gas treatment, catalysts, adsorbents and petrochemicals, we want to better serve our customers in the region."

Mr Mishal Kanoo, Chairman of The Kanoo Group U.A.E. & Oman, stated "It is amazing to think what a great partnership we at Kanoo have had with BASF over these past decades. Bringing to the Gulf one of the world's leading companies and the leader in chemicals has been a point to pride for our family. We look forward to many more decades of great partnership with this great company."

With our further increased regional presence we show our commitment to the emirate Abu Dhabi, which for us is a focus market within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," said Florian Krueckl, Managing Director at BASF FZE and BASF Middle East LLC in Dubai, and continued: "We seek to leverage our leading position as an integrated global chemical company to create growth opportunities in Abu Dhabi for both our customers and us by sharing our industry expertise based on our unique chemical know-how. Our growth strategy is driven by innovative products and solutions that contribute to conserving resources and improving quality of life." The company is also encouraging employment and training of the local workforce with the aim to enhance the population's technical skill-set over a period of time.

BASF is present at the Middle East region for more than six decades based on several Joint ventures with the Kanoo Group. During this period the company has achieved high level recognition from commercial enterprises and public entities for its expertise and advanced products. Today BASF sells a wide range of products in the Middle East, with an emphasis on industrial chemicals, petrochemicals, gas treatment, refining catalysts, process catalysts, adsorbents, oilfield chemicals, desalination of sea water, packaging, engineering plastics, plastic additives, paints, coatings & inks and construction chemicals.

OASE - Gas Treating Excellence by BASF

With more than 40 years of experience, BASF offers its customers efficient solutions for the treatment of various gases such as natural gas, synthesis gas, and biogas. Worldwide, these solutions have been proven and demonstrated in over 400 reference plants. BASF markets its range of technologies, gas treatment agents and complete technical services under the brand OASE - Gas Treating Excellence by BASF.

World's leading catalyst supplier

BASF's Catalysts division is the world's leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products, including advanced battery materials. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF's Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary solutions that drive customer success. Further information on BASF's Catalysts division is available on the Internet at www.catalysts.basf.com

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.

About The Kanoo Group
The Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo Group of Companies is one of the largest independent, family owned companies in the Gulf region. Established in Bahrain in 1890 by Haji Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo, it has grown from its early trading and shipping business to become one of the most diversified and highly regarded business houses in the Gulf region and beyond. The company's activities are highly diverse and range from shipping, machinery, oil & gas to information technology, exhibition services as well as various others. The Kanoo Group operates extensively in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) since the early 1960's. The company is greatly respected for the ability to combine traditional values with a global vision and has always been linked to the progress and development of the entire region.

© Press Release 2016