BASF brings world scale plant for sustainable chelating agent Trilon M on stream ahead of schedule

BASF expands annual global production capacity for chelating agents to 120,000 tonnes
18 new jobs in Ludwigshafen
Trilon M significantly improves eco-friendliness of detergents and cleaning agents
Demand for Trilon M rising rapidly

Ludwigshafen, Germany – January 14, 2010 – After 18 months of construction, the new plant expansion for BASF's chelating agent Trilon^® M has now been brought on stream at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The move strengthens the company's position as one of the world's leading chelating agent producers. Expansion of the Trilon M plant has created 18 new jobs in Ludwigshafen.

"This world scale plant – which is fully integrated in the BASF Verbund – has been brought on stream three months ahead of the scheduled completion date," executive director Dr. John Feldmann announces. "This achievement is another example of the excellent cooperation at BASF that enables us to execute complex investment projects in record time – from plant development, planning, and construction by BASF engineers, right through to successful startup.“

From now on, BASF has at its disposal a global annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes for chelating agents. "The capacity expansion is BASF's response to the increasing global demand for modern chelating agents," Feldmann comments. BASF expects double-digit percentage growth rates for environment-friendly chelating agents. Apart from Ludwigshafen, BASF also manufactures chelating agents in Lima, Ohio, USA, and Guaratinguetá, Brazil. Trilon M can be manufactured in Lima, as well as in Ludwigshafen, ensuring global availability.

The Trilon M brand name stands for methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), a high-performance, eco-friendly, safe chelating agent in the class of aminocarboxylates. Chelating agents reduce metal ion concentrations in aqueous solutions. They do so by converting poorly soluble compounds to compounds that dissolve readily in water, in that way increasing the cleaning effect of detergents and dishwashing agents as well as industrial and all-purpose cleaners.

Trilon M is readily biodegradable and available in liquid and solid forms, and does not need any risk phrase labeling according to the EU legislation. Trilon M's sustainability has been confirmed in an eco-efficiency study. "Our customers now have the option of integrating a strong, environment-friendly, safe chelating agent in their product formulations," states Gabriel Tanbourgi, head of Care Chemicals division at BASF. "We contribute in that way to our customers' long-term success and help improve the eco-compatibility of detergents and cleaning agents."

Trilon M is suitable for use in modern dishwasher detergents as a replacement for phosphate. In industrial & institutional applications, Trilon M is a no-labeling-required alternative to conventional chelating agents for use in detergents and cleaners.

Information for journalists:

Photos are available for download at www.basf.com/Pressphoto-Database under "BASF SE", search term "Care Chemicals and Formulators" at 2 p.m. CET

About BASF’s Care Chemicals & Formulators

BASF’s Care Chemicals & Formulators business unit develops, produces and markets a comprehensive range of products for cosmetics, detergents & cleaners, and industrial and chemical applications. The portfolio includes personal care ingredients, surfactants, polymers, chelating agents, biocides, waxes and wax emulsions, as well as metal surface treatment products. Care Chemicals & Formulators is part of BASF's Care Chemicals division.

About BASF

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics and performance products to agricultural products, fine chemicals and oil and gas. As a reliable partner BASF helps 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 more than €62 billion in 2008 and had approximately 97,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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