- Extensions planned at Antwerp and Ludwigshafen sites
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"Deals already signed cover most of the additional volumes"
BASF plans to increase its existing production capacities for acrylic
acid and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in Antwerp and for butylacrylate
in Ludwigshafen. BASF cites major expansion of its European business as
the reason for the extensions. "The decision came in response to
existing as well as new long-term supplier agreements, in most cases with
strategic customers. Contracts are already in place covering the greater
part of the sales volume for the additional quantities," said Dr.
Markus Kramer, head of the Functional Polymers division. "The aim
of our business model and of the current investment program is to support
customer growth and promote innovations."
BASF intends to use latest technology to improve its competitiveness
and strengthen its global market leadership in this area.
The plans involve increasing the capacity of the existing SAP plant at
the Antwerp site from the current figure of 115,000 metric tons to 175,000
metric tons annually. Capacity for the precursor acrylic acid will be
extended as a result. A second plant with a capacity of 160,000 metric
tons is to be built to back the existing acrylic acid plant. The additional
acrylic acid produced will be needed for SAP production in Antwerp and
will supply additional volumes for Ludwigshafen as part of the European
integrated production system: Plans to expand the capacity of the existing
butylacrylate plant in Ludwigshafen will cause increased demand for the
precursor, acrylic acid. The new capacities will be available by 2008
at the latest.
Acrylic acid is the main precursor in the production of superabsorbent
polymers, materials which absorb many times their own weight in liquid
and are mainly used in diapers and other hygienic products. Other acrylic
acid derivatives are pure acrylate dispersions of the kind used for binders
in varnishes and paints, and acrylic acid ester, also known as acrylate.
These monomeric building blocks are used to manufacture the polymer dispersions
contained as a functional component in architectural coatings, glues,
fiber binders, products for the construction chemicals industry and coatings
for the paper industry.
Source: BASF
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