Shanghai, China – July 16, 2018 – In line with China’s national strategy of “Rural Vitalization and Urban-Rural Assembly”, BASF and Tongji University will work together to reconstruct buildings in China’s vast rural areas, starting with Shatan, a 900-year-old model village in the southeastern part of Zhejiang Province.

“In this pilot project, by combining our research capabilities and BASF’s advanced new materials and technologies, we are able to provide smart and sustainable solutions for Chinese villagers. We very much look forward to seeing the brand new beautiful village in the near future,” said Prof. Yang Guiqing, Head of Urban Planning Department, Tongji University, the lead consultant on the project.

Shanghai-based Tongji University, established in 1907, is one of the oldest, most comprehensive and prestigious universities in China. BASF maintains a long-term academic cooperation with Tongji. Additionally, since 2016, BASF has been working together with the Urban Planning Department of Tongji University, Tongji Urban Planning & Design Institute, and the Sino-Germany Joint Research Center for Rural Settlements Planning, to revamp the first four old buildings in Huangyan, into multi-purpose, efficient and modern granary guesthouses, using BASF’s sustainable construction solutions such as the Finestone® wall system.

The granary guesthouses in the village, located in Huangyan District, Taizhou, will be renovated with a series of environmentally friendly features, including a sunroof and a rainwater-collecting-and-reuse-system, as well as energy-saving walls and windows. Additional solutions and materials will be used to improve the sustainability of other buildings and facilities in the village, including a cultural and entertainment center, an eco-carpark, and an information center.

Prof. Wu Zhiqiang, Acadamian, Chinese Academy of Engineering, Vice Principal of Tongji University, said, “China’s ‘Rural Vitalization’ strategy prioritizes holistic growth in terms of industry layout and infrastructure development in the country’s rural areas. BASF and Tongji University will seek more innovative and flexible construction solutions in the future for Huangyan and other villages in China, for the interests of more villagers.”

The plans were announced at today’s strategic dialog between BASF and Tongji University about the future cooperation in the key fast-growing industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing and agriculture.

“Together with Tongji University, we are excited to transform Chinese villages such as Huangyan. This is an important new endeavor for BASF,” said Dr. Zheng Daqing, Senior Vice President, Business & Market Development, BASF Greater China. “At the same time, BASF’s three key industry teams will explore further cooperation opportunities in academic research and innovation with Tongji. In this strategic dialog we are not only reflecting on our previous achievements, but also exploring future partnerships that can bring smart solutions to Chinese customers.”

BASF supports a variety of sustainability projects in Chinese cities. In 2016, BASF’s Elastopave®, a polyurethane binder system yielding air- and water-permeable surfaces, was installed on Moganshan Road along the West Lake in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in a key municipal project. The application supports Hangzhou’s transformation into a “sponge city” and helps the city fulfil its goal of developing modern infrastructure in at least 20% of its urban areas by 2020, to prevent flooding from heavy rainfall. Additionally, in 2015, BASF and Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city signed a framework agreement of strategic partnership to jointly facilitate sustainable construction, improve air quality and drive water recycling in Tianjin.