BASF reaches next milestone on MDI capacity expansion project at Geismar site

• The second expansion phase is now complete and in operation, increasing MDI capacity by approximately one third.
• The final phase is designed to bring total capacity to approximately 600,000 metric tons per year, with start-up targeted by the middle of the decade.

WYANDOTTE, MI / GEISMAR, LA, December 14, 2021 – The implementation of the methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) capacity increase program for BASF’s Verbund site in Geismar, Louisiana, is progressing on schedule. Over time, BASF plans to double the capacity from 300,000 metric tons per year to approximately 600,000 metric tons per year.

“This investment in the attractive North American MDI market strengthens our position as a leading MDI supplier in North America as well as globally,” said Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of Monomers Division.

“The Geismar site is ideally suited for this investment thanks to its existing infrastructure, competitive raw materials and ongoing strong business support from state and local government,” said Stefan Doerr, Senior Vice President, Monomers North America. “With this integrated facility, BASF will continue to support the growth of our North American MDI customers.”

The first phase involving the construction of a new MDI synthesis unit has been in operation since October of last year. The second phase, which started up recently, expanded several existing upstream units and increased the overall MDI output of the Geismar complex by approximately one third. Engineering for the final phase of the MDI expansion is progressing on schedule. This final phase of the expansion project, which includes several new upstream units, is targeted to be complete by the middle of the decade, with resulting total MDI capacity of approximately 600,000 metric tons per year.

About BASF

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 17,000 employees in North America and had sales of $18.7 billion in 2020. For more information about BASF’s North American operations, visit www.basf.com/us.

At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. More than 110,000 employees in the BASF Group contribute to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of €59 billion in 2020. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.