(1888PressRelease)
June 13, 2009 - This amounts to 9 percent of all jobs of BASF Española S.L..
“The decision to close the Styropor plant and to adjust our service structures was difficult. But these measures are crucial to safeguard the sustainable future of our activities at our site in Tarragona,” said Gerhard Schwarz, Managing Director of BASF Española and responsible for BASF's activities in Spain and Portugal. BASF has already set up meetings with the works council to find fair solutions for those employees whose jobs will be cut. The goal is to reach an agreement by mid 2009 that will be implemented by March 2010.
The Styropor plant has become uneconomical due to its relatively small production capacity which has resulted in an unfavorable cost-structure. “The decision to close the Styropor plant does not mean that BASF will retreat from the Iberian EPS market," said Giorgio Greening, head of the Global Business Unit Foams. "BASF will continue to supply the region with high-quality EPS from Ludwigshafen, Germany and intends to defend its market share”.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals as well as oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility.
BASF posted sales of more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).
Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Dr. Ulla Biernat
Phone: +49 621 60-42241
Fax: +49 621 60-49497
ulla.biernat ( @ ) basf dot com
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