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BASF completes capacity increase for 1,4-butanediol in Geismar, Louisiana
Further strengthens ability to support customers in North and South America
FLORHAM PARK, NJ, March 18, 2016 -- BASF completed its two-step capacity expansion for the chemical intermediate 1,4-butanediol (BDO) by approximately 20 percent at its Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana during the first quarter of 2016. The double-digit million-dollar investment increased production capacity by implementing measures to boost efficiency and improve infrastructure.
“With this expansion, we strengthen our position in the North and South American markets and reliably meet our customers’ growing BDO demand from our local asset in Geismar,” said Soeren Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President, Intermediates division for BASF North America. “In addition to BDO, we have been investing in various products in North America, most recently in formic acid to expand our strong presence in the market and the commitment to our customers.”
The investment emphasizes BASF’s long-standing commitment to the BDO value chain in North America with 2016 marking the 40th production anniversary in Geismar.
BASF is the leading producer of BDO globally. Including Geismar, the company manufactures 670,000 metric tons of BDO per year globally, with production plants in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Kuantan, Malaysia; Caojing, China; and Chiba, Japan. In addition, a joint venture between BASF and Xinjiang Markor operates a BDO plant in Korla, China.
BDO and its derivatives are used for producing plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals and elastic fibers. Depending on the production technology, conventional BDO can be produced using natural gas, coal, butane, butadiene or propylene as primary starting materials.
About BASF Intermediates
The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive portfolio of about 700 intermediates around the world. Its most important product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Intermediates are for example used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve both the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001 certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia and North America. Around the globe the division generated sales to third parties of about €2.8 billion in 2015. For more information, go to www.intermediates.basf.com.
About BASF
BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has nearly 17,500 employees in North America, and had sales of $17.4 billion in 2015. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 112,000 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 more than €70 billion in 2015. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information at www.basf.com.
