As part of the efforts to support the increasing demand for medical gloves globally due to COVID-19 pandemic, BASF, the world's petrochemical major, is planning to double its Softex production capacity at its Cimanggis site in Indonesia, according to MarketScreener.
This expansion reiterates BASF's continued commitment to Asia Pacific and specifically to customers in the medical glove industry that are playing a very pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Softex dispersion is a critical material used in medical exam glove production, and it is being recognized throughout the APAC region for helping glove producers to deliver high quality gloves.
"Since its establishment in 1979, the Cimanggis site is an important production facility for the region. BASF has also upgraded its facilities to enable the supply of high-quality materials used in the production for medical gloves. The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a high demand for medical gloves globally, from 340 billion pieces in 2019 to 500 billion pieces in 2021?. And BASF remains committed to support customers and societal needs, especially during this period," said Dr. Laszlo Szarvas, Vice President, Business Management Home Care, I&I and Industrial Formulators, Care Chemicals, BASF Asia Pacific.
As MRC reported previously, BASF is to increase its production capacity for plastic additives at its sites in Pontecchio Marconi, Italy and Lampertheim, Germany. BASF did not disclose, however, current or future capacities for its production of plastic additives hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS).
We remind that BASF is strengthening its global catalyst development and helping customers to bring new products faster to the market. As part of this strategy, BASF is building a new pilot plant center at its Ludwigshafen site. The new Catalyst Development and Solids Processing Center will serve as a global hub for pilot-scale production and process innovations of chemical catalyst.
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