MOSCOW (MRC) -- BASF has increased the manufacturing capacity for neopentyl glycol (NPG) at its headquarters facility in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and is set to further boost capacity of the chemical intermediate globally, said the company.
Production capacity at Ludwigshafen, said BASF in a statement 26 Sept, has been raised by 10 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), bringing the company’s total NPG production volumes to 215ktpa globally.
In addition, the German chemicals supplier is expecting to increase its NPG production in Nanjing, China, by 40ktpa as of 2020.
With a manufacturing footprint in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Freeport, Maine, US; as well as in Nanjing and Jilin in China, BASF is claimed to be one of the world's leading NPG manufacturers.
"The production expansion in Ludwigshafen underlines our clear commitment to continuously support the growth of our European customers," said Michael Britt, SVP acids and diols in BASF's intermediates division.
Neopentyl glycol is an organic chemical intermediate, used as a building block for the synthesis of polyesters, paints, lubricants, and plasticisers.
When used in the manufacture of polyesters, it enhances the product’s ability to remain stable when exposed to heat, light, and water.
As MRC informed earlier, that BASF last week resumed No 1 naphtha cracker after maintenance turnaround in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
Ethylene and propylene are feedstocks for producing polyethylene (PE) and polyprolypele (PP).
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,255,800 tonnes in the first seven months of 2019, up by 9% year on year. Shipments of all PE grades increased. At the same time, the estimated PP consumption in the Russian market was 796,120 tonnes in January-July 2019, up by 11% year on year. Shipments of PP block copolymer and homopolymer PP increased.
BASF is the leading chemical company. It produces a wide range of chemicals, for example solvents, amines, resins, glues, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals. The most important customers for this segment are the pharmaceutical, construction, textile and automotive industries.
MRC