BASF has opened a new €2 million global research and development center at Thane, Navi Mumbai, India.

Operated by BASF Chemicals India, the facility employing 60 scientists in the initial phase will focus on organic synthesis, advanced process and formulation research, discovery chemistry for modern agricultural solutions and molecular modelling.

By 2020, the German group plans to conduct 50% of its research activities outside of Europe, including about a quarter in Asia-Pacific, and the new Indian center is a step in this direction, said Harald Lauke, president of BASF's Biological & Effect Systems Research.

"By establishing a global research presence in Mumbai, we will be able to work directly with a wide range of scientific talents in India and take steps toward our strategic goal to innovate from Asia-Pacific for Asia-Pacific and the world," Lauke said, adding that BASF is "currently evaluating further investment options into R&D in Asia-Pacific, including India.

For its agricultural business, the world's largest chemical producer recently established an Agronomical Research and Development Field Station at Pune, India, near Mumbai. "India is a core market for BASF, with a strong scientific community," said Raman Ramachandran, head of the group's South Asia business.

BASF's sites at Mumbai and Mangalore, India, also support its global technology platform, promoting close collaboration between research and business teams, the group said.