BASF has launched the first designfabrik outside Europe in Tokyo, Japan. The second designfabrik worldwide will strengthen BASF’s capabilities as a provider for comprehensive solutions supporting customers from various industries not only with innovative materials but also with assistance at a very early stage of product development.

The designfabrik at BASF’s headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, aims at making customers’ design-oriented projects even more successful with the right materials. Since its foundation in 2007, it has continuously expanded its scope and size: “The launch of the Tokyo designfabrik is the consequence of this development. The Japanese market is and has always been a source of cutting-edge design and innovation in various industries. With our new designfabrik we are now in an even better position to translate the creative ideas of the designers into feasible material concepts”, explained Guiscard Glück, vice president, New Markets and Products, BASF SE.

Just as the first designfabrik in Germany, designfabrik Tokyo will offer product and industrial designers as well as engineers consultancy work and material solutions using BAFS’s broad product portfolio, e.g. high-performance plastics and polyurethanes, but also coloring solutions. A special focus area will be automotive applications. Here, experts will support the development of new applications for different materials, in particular for vehicle interiors and exteriors, aiming to help improve the efficiency, comfort and safety of vehicles while opening completely new design possibilities at the same time.

Toshifumi Tanakai, designfabrik Tokyo’s vice director, BASF Japan Ltd., said, “Connecting industrial designers, educational institutions and customers allows us to realize unique products and design visions with BASF’s materials. designfabrik Tokyo offers support in every phase of the design process, with expert advice for color, material and finishing. ”

Since the opening of the designfabrik in 2007, BASF has a track record of working with stakeholders to make customers’ design-oriented projects even more successful with the right materials: In 2008 the launch of the Myto chair by Konstantin Grcic proved the capabilities of BASF followed by several well recognized projects such as the Vegetal chair by Vitra or the Winkel lamp. In 2012, a global car seat design competition – sit down. move. – inspired unique designs for future car seats, with an emphasis on comfort, ergonomics, weight, and safety. In 2013, the development of the Concept 1865 bicycle showed how an established product can be reinvented using new materials and the current state of the art technology.