BASF's SA and sub-Saharan polyurethanes businesses set to grow

BASF Polyurethanes - a global chemical manufacturing company - is a leader in this field, particularly in South Africa, Mirangels said.

"(South Africa) is a key market in Africa for BASF and is a role model for the rest of the African continent," Mirangels said, adding that the company's sales have grown despite difficult global conditions owing to new business and because customers have seen the benefit of BASF's local presence. BASF has had a presence in South Africa for over 40 years.

"My focus is on the overall operations of the South African systems house with a strong focus on business development within South and Sub-Saharan Africa," Mirangels said. He believes that sales growth remained positive because the company supplies products to a diverse industry base, which includes the automotive, construction, footwear, mining and 'white' goods sectors. The company's target is to more than double sales in Africa by 2020. Its sales, excluding oil and gas, were around 1 billion Euros in 2010, southafricamag.com website reports.

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