New Jersey Governor Corzine Cuts Ribbon for New BASF Fuel Cell Production Facility

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May 6, 2009 -- SOMERSET – Praising the company for its work in developing innovative technologies, New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine today participated in the official ribbon cutting ceremonies for BASF’s new state-of-the art fuel cell production facility. Forty new green jobs will be created at the site.

“ New Jersey has long been renowned for innovation and discovery,” Governor Corzine said. “I am pleased this tradition of excellence is being advanced in BASF’s new world-class fuel cell facility here in Somerset . Projects like this are exactly the type of private investment commitment that will create a more sustainable environment, keep our economy moving and put people to work. We are fortunate to have this facility in New Jersey along with the promise it holds for the future.”

BASF develops and manufactures the central components of fuel cells, an environmentally clean power-generating technology. Fuel cells make energy use more efficient, cost-effective and less harmful to the environment. The technology has great potential in a wide range of applications. The Somerset site is the only fuel cell production facility in the world that can produce ready-for-production high-temperature Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEAs).

The company’s proprietary fuel cell technologies, powered solely by hydrogen, are currently being used by a number of alternative energy suppliers and as a replacement to more traditional batteries in several electronic products. This new facility will meet growing demand from clients as the technology continues to gain momentum.

“BASF has made a decisive breakthrough in fuel cells with the development of the high-temperature MEA,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, Research Executive Director and Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF. “The aim of the world-class Somerset , New Jersey facility is to meet the current and greatly increasing demand from customers. Future enhancements and refinements of BASF’s proprietary MEA product in conjunction with system developments by our alternative energy partners will make fuel cell energy realistic, affordable and widely available.”

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the US Department of Energy has approved a grant to BASF Fuel Cell for $2 million over the next three years for fuel cell technology manufacturing.

BASF has more than 1,900 employees in New Jersey.

Source: New Jersey Governor