Largest investment in BASF’s history in South America Start of production planned for 2014 Braskem S.A. to be strategic partner for raw materials and utilities Start of 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate production in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo, Brazil

BASF will invest in a world-scale production site for acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. It will be the first acrylic acid and superabsorbents plant in South America. With an investment volume of more than €500 million, it is the largest investment in BASF’s century-long history in South America.

In addition, BASF will start to produce 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate, an important raw material for the adhesives and special coatings industries, in its existing chemical complex in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo . This will be the first plant for this product in South America.

With the new acrylic acid complex, BASF aims to ensure the supply for important products as: superabsorbents for diapers, acrylic resins for coatings, textiles and adhesives and products for civil construction.

“BASF is the global and regional leader in the acrylic value chain. Due to the strong growth in Brazil, the time has come for this important investment. It will further strengthen our position and underlines our confidence in the development of the South American market,” said Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.

“This project reinforces the importance of the region for BASF, ensuring the supply of our products to our customers in South America and contributing to the development of the country,” said Dr. Alfred Hackenberger, President of BASF South America.

The Camaçari location is being chosen based on the availability of raw materials (propylene) and utilities provided by Braskem S.A., the major chemical company in Brazil and the strategic supplier for BASF in this project.

“The contract with BASF will bring benefits to the whole acrylic acid value chain, not only because of the production capacity of the project and the size of the investment, but also because of the best-in-class technology available. Above this, the complex will generate new important investments to Camaçari, attracting new manufacturing companies to Bahia State,” said Carlos Fadigas, President of Braskem.

The construction of the new acrylic acid complex will start in 2011 employing about 1,000 individuals during construction. Production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014, generating 230 direct and 600 indirect jobs. The production for 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate in Guaratinguetá is expected to start in 2015 on the basis of Acrylic Acid produced in Camaçari.

“We expect the investment to bring a very positive impact of about $300 million per year on the trade balance of the country, thereof $200 million through reducing imports and $100 million through increasing exports,” said Hackenberger.

Acrylic acid is an important precursor in the value chain of super­absorbent polymers, the active component of baby diapers and other hygiene products. Acrylic esters, the most important derivatives of acrylic acid, are used to produce adhesive raw materials, construction chemicals and architectural coatings such as Suvinil, BASF’s decorative coatings brand in South America and the leader in the premium segment in Brazil.

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and agricultural products to oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF creates chemistry to help its customers in virtually all industries to be more successful. With its high-value products and intelligent solutions, BASF plays an important role in finding answers to global challenges such as climate protection, energy efficiency, nutrition and mobility. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com or in its Social Media Newsroom at www.newsroom.basf.com

reactie XEA.nl
CSM zit ook in Brazilë en werkt samen met Basf in Europa op gebied van biobased Succine acid.

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY and DIEMEN, NETHERLANDS, September 30, 2009 -- BASF SE and CSM nv today announced the cooperation between their respective subsidiaries BASF Future Business GmbH and PURAC for the development of the production of biobased succinic acid. Both partners have been working on the development of the industrial fermentation and down-stream processing of biobased succinic acid and will start production of commercial quality and volumes in the second quarter of 2010.


BASF increasing production capacity for copper and copper-chrome catalysts
2011-08-19
P-11-388
ISELIN , NJ , August 19, 2011 – BASF, the global leader in catalysis, has announced a new round of capital investment projects to increase its production capacity and further enhance its global manufacturing operations for copper and copper-chrome catalysts.

These investments are aimed at improving catalyst manufacturing efficiency to meet increased global demand. They follow an earlier round of process improvement and capacity enhancement projects for the copper-chrome product line that were completed earlier this year.

“The market response to our high-performance copper-chrome catalysts remains outstanding,” said Dr. Michael Baier, BASF Vice President, Chemical Market Catalysts. “As a result, we are investing to further enhance our manufacturing capacity and production efficiency for these products globally. These investments demonstrate our commitment to meeting our customers’ needs for copper-chrome catalysts over the long term, while also creating a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment for these important products.”

BASF produces a wide variety of base-metal catalysts, which are primarily used in petrochemical and oleochemical processing. Typical catalyst applications include guard beds; hydrogenation processes, such as solvent and gasoline dearomatization; dehydrogenation processes; monomer production; and manufacturing of specialty and detergent alcohols.

About BASF’s Catalysts Division
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and other products. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops unique, proprietary catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive customer success.