BASF’s Freeport site to install new ammonium sulfate crystallizer system

FREEPORT, TX, April 24, 2012 -- Officials at BASF’s Freeport, Texas, site today announced during a ground breaking ceremony that the site will soon begin construction of a new, 160,000 ton per year ammonium sulfate crystallizer system at its caprolactam plant. This is a joint project with American Plant Food Corporation, Galena, Texas, a customer of BASF.

Once completed, the crystallizer will refine high-quality ammonium sulfate, a by-product of the caprolactam manufacturing process and a key component in plant fertilizer sold by American Plant Food.

“BASF and American Plant Food have had a successful partnership for more than 45 years. This project shows our dedication to having one of the best quality ammonium sulfate products on the market,” said Hermann Althoff, Senior Vice President of BASF’s Polyamide and Intermediates global business unit.

BASF is the world’s largest manufacturer of caprolactam, which is an intermediate for producing polyamide (PA) 6. PA 6 applications range from transparent and flexible food packaging, fishing lines and nets, cable sheathings, textile fibers for outdoor sportswear and carpets to lightweight components for cars.

Construction of the crystallizer system is expected to take six months to complete and will cost about $8 million. The project will employ 20 construction personnel and will create 30 jobs off-site for local companies.

“This provides BASF and American Plant Food with a unique opportunity to gain significant benefits for both parties,” said Chris Witte, Senior Vice President and General Manager of BASF’s Freeport site. “It is an excellent example of finding innovative uses for by-products and reducing waste in our manufacturing processes – as well as helping our customers succeed.”

“We are excited that BASF sees the value in this project and is able to work with us to make our vision a reality,” said Don Ford, President, CEO and Chairman for American Plant Food Corporation. “With our earlier crystallizer project being such a success, we look forward to what we will both be able to achieve with the new one.” 

BASF – The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,000 employees in North America, and had sales of $19.9 billion in 2011. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 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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