BASF Catalysts India Private Ltd. is expanding its mobile emissions catalysts production capacity in Chennai. Construction of a new
47,000 sq.m. facility has begun to enhance the company’s existing emissions catalysts operation in Chennai with new production lines and manufacturing capabilities. Start-up is planned in the first quarter of 2015.
Upon project completion, a total of nine manufacturing lines will be housed at the new operating site, producing light duty, heavy duty and motorcycle emissions control catalysts to meet growing market demand and customer technology needs. At full capacity utilisation, the site is expected to employ approximately 300 people.
“The pending expansion of Bharat Stage IV (Euro IV equivalent) emissions control regulations in India, combined with overall vehicle production growth, will drive a significant increase in demand for our advanced emissions control solutions,” said Mr. Anup Kothari, Vice President, Mobile Emissions Catalysts Asia Pacific. “BASF is investing to more than double our manufacturing capacity in India to help customers meet these emerging needs. At the same time, this expansion project will allow us to establish Chennai as our regional production hub to serve the fast-growing motorcycle manufacturing markets in India and ASEAN.”
The expansion activity in Chennai will provide the necessary equipment and infrastructure to address the technology pathways developed with customers for BS IV-compliant applications. In addition to the existing catalyst technologies such as the TWC (Three-Way Catalyst), DOC (Diesel Oxidation Catalyst) and CSF (Catalyzed Soot Filter), the advanced SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology system will also be locally manufactured, ensuring world-class heavy duty diesel production capabilities in the region.
“BASF is committed to driving forward innovative and sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges facing our society,” said 
Dr. Raman Ramachandran, Chairman, BASF Companies in India & Head South Asia. “In the past, BASF has successfully delivered advanced emissions control catalysts for cars, trucks and motorcycles to customers in India and throughout South Asia. The expansion project further demonstrates our strong commitment to achieving ambitious growth in the region, and our focus on delivering effective solutions to leading OEMs to prepare them for future challenges.”
BASF’s core mobile emissions control technologies are the Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) that removes HC (hydrocarbons), CO (carbon monoxide) and NOx (nitrogen oxides) from gasoline vehicles; Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) that removes HC (hydrocarbons) and CO (carbon monoxide) and some PM (particulate matter) from diesel vehicles; Catalyzed Soot Filter (CSF) that traps PM and then uses a patented catalytic technology to help oxidize it; and SCR that converts NOx (nitrogen oxides) into water and nitrogen with the use of a urea solution.
Bharat Stage III/IV are emission standards set by the Government to regulate the output of air pollutants from automobiles, including two-wheelers. The standards and the timeline for implementation are set by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in consultation with various stakeholders. Since 2010, Bharat Stage IV, similar to Euro IV emission norms for four-wheelers has been implemented in 13 major cities in the country and Bharat Stage III, (similar to Euro III), in the rest of the country.