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BASF AND NATIONAL PRAWN COMPANY JOIN FORCES TO COOPERATE ON
ALGAE TECHNOLOGY
Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia– June 30th, 2013
National Prawn Company (Al-Laith, KSA) and an agreement on collaboration in the field of algae technology The partnership has been encouraged by the long-decade experience and unique expertise of both companies: Since the 1980s, National Prawn Company has developed knowledge and expertise in designing, building and operating a large system of man-made-lakes especially for the production of high-quality prawns for the market. Furthermore NPC is developing research programs on new algae species and sponsorships aquaculture projects around the world. BASF on the other hand is the global leader in technologies relevant for growing and harvesting algae in open-lake-systems and in further processing the algae biomass into products used in beverages and dietary Another important reason for this collaboration are the climatic conditions of the Red Sea desert coast line of Western Saudi Arabia that meet the environmental needs of sea-water algae and promote the growth of “The today signed contract is marking once more the ability of Saudi Companies to be equal partners with World Class enterprises like BASF. It also shows that we are capable of offering solutions for domestic and global needs. We are looking forward to a long cooperation with BASF, the world’s leading chemical company,” said NPC`s chairman Sulaiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Rajhi. “With our portfolio in the market segments of food, beverages and dietary supplements we are able to meet and anticipate future needs. At the same time we are constantly trying to enhance nutrition quality and promote technological innovations,” said Michael Ceranski, Senior Vice President of BASF`s Human Nutrition business unit. “Within these ambitious goals new partnerships like the collaboration with National Prawn Company are fundamental for us: NPC gives us access to more biomass from algae and to use and leverage the all-year non-changing climate conditions in Saudi-Arabia.” Eng. Ahmad Rasheed Al-Ballaa, Managing Director of National Prawn Company, pointed out: “We are very pleased and proud that National Prawn Company and BASF have succeeded in establishing this cooperation, bringing together the best of both companies to create a unique aquaculture project”

About National Prawn Company
NPC is considered as one of the largest integrated marine aquaculture projects in the world. Its farms are fed by pristine clean water of the Red Sea. State of the Art technologies have been implemented to closely monitoring the product from hatcheries to ponds to plates, ensuring Quality, Sustainability and food safety of the product as NPC’s commitment to its customers. The products are marketed inside and outside the Kingdom to around 30 countries in the world, including UK, Spain, Italy, Japan, Korea, USA, China, Australia, and other countries. Product sizes vary as desired by customers and is characterized by excellent taste and quality. The company started in 1982 as a basic research center, and with the persistence, determination and scientific and technical methods, transformed NPC into what it is today. NPC is fully committed towards the development of the society, economically, socially and environmentally through strong CSR, biosecurity and sustainability programs.
About BASF Nutrition & Health
BASF’s Nutrition & Health division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive range of products and
services for the human and animal nutrition, pharmaceutical as well as flavor and fragrance industries. The
division strives to contribute to a better life through improving the nutrition, health and wellbeing of people across the world. Important human nutrition products are vitamins and carotenoids, plant sterols, emulsifiers and omega-3 fatty acids. Its feed additives such as vitamins, carotenoids, enzymes and organic acids make Nutrition & Health a worldwide leader for the animal nutrition market. The division provides the pharmaceutical industry with active ingredients such as caffeine and ibuprofen, as well as excipients and custom synthesis services. Furthermore, it produces aroma ingredients such as citral, geraniol and L-menthol for the flavor and fragrance industry. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or www.newtrition.com

Source: http://www.robian.com.sa/images/English%20-%20COOPERATE%20ON%20ALGAE%20TECHNOLOGY.pdf