BASF West Africa pledges sustainable construction

To solve customers’ specific construction challenges, one of the world’s leading chemical company (BASF) has pledged to leverage on global technologies and in-depth knowledge of local building needs, to develop innovations that can help customers drive sustainable construction.

Senior officials of the firm spoke at a ceremony in Lagos to usher in the new Country Manager overseeing the Construction Chemicals Business for the West African Cluster, Mrs. Vania Mitakeva. The company’s goal has been to support the local industry by reducing imports, thereby minimizing the long lead times for supplies and other transport related issues, while supporting the economic growth of the region by creating employment opportunities.

Mitakeva, who is the first female construction chemicals country manager for BASF in Africa, brings with her, over a decade of experience in the construction chemicals industry in Nigeria.

In her new role role, Mitakeva will be focusing primarily on expanding the frontiers of the Construction Chemicals Business specifically, and that of BASF West Africa in general. “I am particularly excited about joining the vibrant and connected team at BASF West Africa at this time, and I look forward to contributing to, and being part of BASF West Africa at this phase of its impressive growth”, Mitakeva said.

Speaking on Vania’s appointment, Dr. Jean-Marc Ricca, BASF‘s Country Cluster Head for West Africa, said: “As BASF continues its strong commitment of investing and growing in and with Nigeria, we are delighted to have Vania join us with her wealth of experience which will be of great value to the company,“ he said. “This comes at an exciting time in our business where we are consolidating our processes and deepening our imprints across all industries in Nigeria.’’The company inaugurated its new production plant for concrete admixtures in Lagos two years ago.

BASF’s admixtures enable the production of concrete that is stronger and more durable while also increasing its workability retention. This leads to faster setting and hardening and thus accelerating the construction progress.