BESIGHEIM, Germany — BASF has opened a new research laboratory in Besigheim, Germany, for pigments manufactured and marketed under the company’s global brand Colors & Effects^®.

"With the installation of this research laboratory in Besigheim, we are strengthening the rapid development of near-market innovations. Through the complete on-site support and the proximity of production and research, we support the development of our inorganic color pigments as well as the Paliocrom^® effect pigments", said Alexander Haunschild, Senior Vice President of BASF's global pigment business.

Prior to the laboratory opening, the research activities — which will be bundled in Besigheim in the future — have mainly taken place in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Haunschild emphasizes the importance of the laboratory for the future of the site. "Following the expansion of capacity for bismuth vanadate and Paliocrom effect pigments, the laboratory opening also shows that we regularly invest in the Besigheim site," said Haunschild. In June 2018 the company announced an increase in production capacity for Paliocrom effect pigments at its Ludwigshafen and Besigheim locations.