BASF targets growth in North America.(UNITED STATES/AMERICAS)

BASF's recent acquisitions, including that of Engelhard, have lifted the company's sales in North America from $11.3 billion in 2005 to more than $15 billion on an annualized basis, placing it second behind Dow Chemical in North America, says Klaus Peter Lobbe, CEO of BASF Corp., the North American operations of BASF. The company says it will continue to seek opportunities in North America where the industry is still very fragmented with about 10,000 producers, the company says.

BASF's current focus, however, will be on integrating recent acquisitions. The acquisition of Engelhard allowed BASF to form a new catalysts division, the company's 13th operating division. …