NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ – The surface treatment global business unit of BASF's Coatings division, operating under the Chemetall^® brand, has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory at its 38,700-square-foot manufacturing and office facility in Querétaro, Mexico. This new facility joins a global network of technical laboratories for direct customer support and continuous innovation, which utilizes the advanced process techniques with highly trained, dedicated and experienced personnel. This new laboratory will facilitate cutting-edge simulation and product development, and will further strengthen the position of Chemetall as global supplier of choice for the surface treatment industry.

"It is of paramount importance to be close to our valued customers and effectively meet their needs," said Ernesto Osorno, Managing Director of Chemetall Mexicana. "Our response time to customers in the region will benefit from localized value-added services."

The new laboratory capabilities include analytical, application and corrosion services. The analytical lab will offer customer support, solution and surface analysis, manufacturing QC support, metalworking coolant management, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), ion chromatography (IC), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Niton X-ray fluorescence, auto-titrator, and microtap. An application services lab will provide process simulations utilizing spray washers, immersion tanks and paint spray booth processes. The corrosion lab will offer salt spray, paint and film testing, cyclical testing, and humidity testing.