PRESS RELEASE
Ludwigshafen, Germany and Mérignac, France, 1st June , 2022
BASF and Azur Drones announce they have successfully completed the deployment of the Skeyetech drone-in-a-box solution at a major BASF site, the world’s largest integrated chemical complex. The Skeyetech drone is used several times a day by BASF security teams to reinforce the security of the site.
Skeyetech is a drone-in-a-box solution designed by the French company Azur Drones, to enhance security and support operations on sensitive sites. Fully autonomous, Skeyetech drones can be quickly dispatched at the click of a button to any area, even difficult to access, to carry out specific checks, security patrols, inspections or special measures.
A Skeyetech system has just been successfully deployed at a major BASF site. This system is operated directly by trained BASF security agents from the site’s security headquarters, located 7km from the Skeyetech station.
The installation was made possible by a BVLOS flight authorization obtained by BASF GmbH, from the German National Airworthiness Authority. “Autonomous drones are game changers for sensitive sites security. They offer higher responsiveness and unmatched visual capabilities thanks to their thermal sensor and their mobility, while providing real operational support for ground teams. The deployment of the Skeyetech solution is part of BASF’s desire to integrate state-of-the-art technologies to make its teams more performant” said Thomas Oberling, Operations and Situation Center Officer at BASF.
“We are very pleased to be working with BASF to make chemical sites ever safer. Congrats to both teams for this effective deployment. Azur Drones continues to actively deploy its Skeyetech system in new industries all over Europe and the Middle East, in line with its ambition to become a world leader in drone-in-a-box technology,” added Jean-Marc Crépin, CEO of Azur Drones. This first installation on the BASF site aims to validate the solution at the group level with a view to deploying Skeyetech systems on other group sites, in Germany and France, but more generally all over Europe. Beyond these new deployments, the BASF group also wishes to extend the applications of the Skeyetech drone for uses such as gas measurement or industrial inspection.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S.
Further information at www.basf.com
About Azur Drones
Azur Drones is one of the world leaders in drone-in-a-box solutions for surveillance and inspection. The company’s SKEYETECH system has been developed to provide customers autonomous drone solution designed for sensitive sites security and operations support. Fully integrated into existing security systems, SKEYETECH is operational 24/7 to carry out specific checks, perimeter patrols, inspection missions or assist in crisis situations. Skeyetech is today the most deployed autonomous drone system in the world with over 200 users and 20,000 operational flights.
Based in Bordeaux, Paris and Dubai, Azur Drones collaborates with well-established contractors in Europe and in the Middle East (TotalEnergies, Orano, BASF, Oiltanking, G4S, Port de Dunkerque…)