Petrochemicals
The Petrochemicals division is the cornerstone of BASF’s petrochemical-based value chains throughout the regions. The division manufactures and markets a broad portfolio of high-quality basic chemicals and tailored specialties for internal and external customers. To contribute to BASF’s net zero CO2 emissions goal, we offer some of our portfolio based on circular feedstock. For this purpose, either renewable or chemically recycled feedstock is used instead of virgin fossil resources at the beginning of the value chain. Furthermore, we develop processes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our existing plants.
Sales by region 2022 (location of customer)
Sales by direct customer industry 2022
Acrylic monomers and superabsorbent polymers
BASF is the world’s largest and most widespread producer of acrylic monomers, which are sold to internal and external customers in the form of acrylic acid, acrylic esters and specialty acrylates. Acrylic monomers are used as precursors to manufacture acrylic polymers and polymer dispersions for various applications such as adhesives, coatings, flocculants, superabsorbent polymers and surfactants.
Superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are used in various hygiene applications, such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine hygiene articles. With our world-scale production plants in every region, we are close to our customers. Through our market knowledge and R&D expertise, we aim to foster trusted relationships with customers and partners in the global hygiene industry.
Alcohols and solvents
BASF is the world’s largest producer of oxo alcohols and is also a major producer of oxygenated solvents in Europe, including acetates, glycol ethers, glycol ether acetates and specialty solvents. Major customer industries are paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
Alkylene oxides and glycols
Ethylene oxide derived from ethylene is used mainly to produce surfactants, ethanolamines, glycols, glycol ethers and polyols. Ethylene glycol is used in antifreeze applications and the production of fibers, films and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) plastic bottles.
Cracker products
BASF produces the entire range of cracker products from ethylene and propylene to butadiene, butenes and benzene. Propylene is the most important starting product for BASF’s value chains.
Plasticizers
BASF offers a broad product portfolio of general purpose and special purpose plasticizers. Plasticizers give flexibility to PVC products such as cables or films. At the same time, they offer protection against the effects of weathering and temperature, thereby helping to maintain the product’s functionality. Plasticizers are used in a large number of industries such as construction, automotive, toys and medical devices.
Styrenics
The styrenics value chain of BASF comprises styrene monomer, polystyrene, extruded polystyrene (XPS, with the brand Styrodur®) and expandable polystyrene (EPS, with the brands Styropor® and Neopor®). The most important industries for BASF’s styrenics business are packaging and construction, where the unique properties of styrenic polymers allow customers to realize various eco-efficient solutions, for example, as insulation material.
The Petrochemicals division holds one of the top three market positions in more than half of the strategic business areas in which it is active.
The main competitors (alphabetical order) include Dow, Evonik, ExxonMobil, INEOS, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, Nippon Shokubai, SABIC, Sinopec, Shell and Wanhua.
We aim to set the benchmark for cost competitiveness and environmental footprint. The focus is on developing new processes and optimizing our existing ones. We want to be a thought and action leader in sustainability with a special focus on CO2 reduction and the circular economy. In terms of product innovation, we advance research in the field of superabsorbent polymers and styrenics.
(from 2020 onward)
| Product group |
Description | Year |
| Ethylene oxide | Expansion of integrated complex in Antwerp, Belgium | 2023 |
| Superabsorbent polymers | Closure of production in Mannheim,Germany | 2022 |
| Investment in excellence center in Antwerp, Belgium | 2023 | |
| tert-butyl acrylate | New plant in Nanjing, China | 2023 |
| Cracker products and downstream | Establishment of an integrated Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China | until 2030 |
(thousand metric tons per year)
| Product group | Location | |||||||||||||
| Antwerp, Belgium | Camaçari, Brazil | Cornwall, Canada | Freeport, Texas | Geismar, Louisiana | Rayong, Thailand | Kuantan, Malaysia1 | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Nanjing, China2 | Pasadena, Texas | Port Arthur, Texas3 | Tarragona, Spain4 | Ulsan, South Korea | Total5 | |
| Acrylic acid | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – | 1,510 |
| Benzene | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | 910 |
| Butadiene | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | 680 |
| Ethylene | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | 3,480 |
| Ethylene oxide (equivalents) | ✔ | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | – | 1,445 |
| Oxo C4 alcohols | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | – | – | – | 1,625 |
| Plasticizers (incl. Hexamoll® DINCH) | – | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | – | 595 |
| Propylene | ✔ | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | ✔ | – | 2,680 |
| Styropor®/Neopor® | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | ✔ | 545 |
| Superabsorbents | ✔ | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | ✔ | – | – | ✔ | – | – | – | – | 585 |
1 BASF 60%; PETRONAS 40%
2 BASF 50%; Sinopec 50%
3 BASF 60%; Total 40%
4 BASF 51%; Sonatrach 49%
5 All capacities are included at 100%, including plants belonging to joint operations and joint ventures.
© Siemens Energy, 2023
Water electrolysis for CO2-free hydrogen
Water electrolysis based on energy from renewable sources offers a route to carbon-free hydrogen. Subject to funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK), BASF is planning to build a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer in Ludwigshafen together with Siemens Energy. The plant will produce about 8,000 metric tons of hydrogen per year that will primarily be used in BASF’s Verbund.