Press Room >> 2010 Press Releases

BASF Breaks Ground on Elyria Expansion Project

Elyria, OH – Governor Ted Strickland today applauded BASF Corp. on its expansion project that includes a 26,400-square-foot chemical production facility in Elyria (Lorain County), where the company held a groundbreaking ceremony.

"We are proud to partner with BASF on this project to create and retain jobs for Ohioans," Strickland said. "Companies like BASF are continuing to invest in Ohio because they recognize Ohio has a strong business climate and the lowest businesses taxes in the Midwest. We greatly appreciate BASF's decision to expand in Ohio and help strengthen our growing advanced energy industry."

The project is expected to create 20 jobs and will be located adjacent to the existing BASF Elyria plant. The facility will be used to manufacture lithium ion battery materials for electric vehicles, and is expected to begin production in the second half of 2012.

"This new facility will put BASF and the state of Ohio at the leading edge of the North American cathode materials market," said Frank Bozich, President of BASF's Catalysts division and member of BASF Corporation's North American Executive Committee. "As the world's leading chemical company, BASF has the ability to make advanced cathode materials widely available as next generation lithium-ion battery production begins to ramp up in facilities throughout the country."

The company is being assisted by the Ohio Department of Development with a 40 percent Job Creation Tax Credit, valued at more than $128,000 over a six-year term.

"Job Creation Tax Credits are playing a vital role in Ohio's improving employment picture," said Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Director of the Ohio Department of Development. "We are especially pleased to see increasing numbers of those incentives going to manufacturers that are focused on furthering advanced energy technologies."

BASF is a world leader in chemical production and operates within six core segments: chemicals, plastics, performance products, functional solutions, agricultural chemicals, and oil and natural gas exploration and production. In addition to its facility in Elyria, BASF has facilities in Beachwood (Cuyahoga County), Whitehouse (Lucas County), Greenville (Darke County), and Streetsboro (Portage County).

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