BASF strengthens market position in chelating agents
- Capacity expansion and portfolio optimization to strengthen position as a leading European supplier
- Double-digit million investment at Ludwigshafen site
Ludwigshafen, Germany – June 19 – BASF is strengthening its value chain for chelating agents in Ludwigshafen, Germany, with an investment in the double-digit millions in production plant and further development of the product portfolio. The latest investment follows a significant expansion of the company's capacities in Theodore, Alabama, USA and Ludwigshafen with a triple-digit million investment in 2015 and 2016.
“With this commitment, we support the growth of our customers and further consolidate our position as one of the leading suppliers of chelating agents in Europe. In addition, the further development of our product portfolio helps to meet the rising demand for sustainable and efficient concepts for our customers. For example, we are working continuously to develop advanced and high-performance applications for the detergent industry,” said Sören Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President, Home Care, I&I and Industrial Solutions Europe at BASF.
BASF identified the trend for sustainable solutions in global markets for chelating agents at an early stage. With the development of the chelating agent Trilon® M (methyl glycine diacetic acid), the company entered the market with a sustainable alternative to phosphate and phosphonate, which contribute to the eutrophication of aquatic habitats. The use of phosphate and phosphonate in dishwasher detergents has been banned since 2010 in various US states. Legislation restricting their use came into effect in Europe on January 1, 2017.
Chelating agents are used in a wide variety of applications. In modern dishwasher tabs, chelating agents prevent and remove unsightly hard-water and food stains on dishes. They also enhance the cleansing effects of detergents and industrial and general-purpose cleaners and help in paper manufacture. In addition, chelating agents can be used as precursors in the manufacture of special fertilizers that release micronutrients in crops, thereby preventing soil salinization due to excess sulfate.
BASF produces chelating agents in Europe (Ludwigshafen, Germany), North America (Lima, Ohio, and Theodore, Alabama) and South America (Guaratinguetá, Brazil).
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About the Care Chemicals division at BASF
The BASF division Care Chemicals offers a broad range of ingredients for personal care, hygiene, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and technical applications. We are the global leading supplier for the cosmetics industry as well as the detergents and cleaners industry, and support our customers with innovative and sustainable products, solutions and concepts. The division’s high-performance product portfolio includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters. Superabsorbent polymers developed for the full spectrum of hygiene applications complete the range. We have production and development sites in all regions and are expanding our presence in emerging markets. Further information is available online at www.care-chemicals.basf.com.
About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The more than 115,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of €64.5 billion in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (BAS) Further information at www.basf.com.
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