Production of Ciba Irganox L135 will begin in early 2009 followed by a strategic review of other products that could be manufactured in Singapore, said Douglas Brown, head of Cibas process and lubricant additives business line. The company sells its antioxidants for fuels and lubricants under the trade names of Irganox, Irgafos and Irgastab BD.
The company invested 125 million Swiss francs (U.S. $109.2 million) in the production plant, according to Ciba spokesman Dominik Marbet.The plant had 87 employees, excluding contractors, as ofNovember, Marbet added.
When originally announced in 2005, Ciba estimated initial total capacity at 30,000 metric tons. Marbet explained that the estimates in 2005 were based on the maximum capacitythe plant may have when running at full speed, and included other types of products.
The announcement made [Tuesday] regarding the production of antioxidants for lubricants and fuels only is the start of one of the production lines, Marbet told Lube Report. We dont disclose capacities of certain products in detail. The plant later will also produce other products which go mainly into plastics.
The initial statement also outlined the plants abilities as synthesis, blending and form-giving facilities for granular forms of antioxidants. The plants location in the fast developing Jurong Island petrochemical complex offers excellent infrastructure and support facilities, backward integration into key raw materials and options for future expansion, Ciba said.
In September, BASF announced plans to acquire Ciba Holding AG via a public takeover offer to shareholders. The offer was for 50 Swiss francs (U.S. $43.80) in cash for each nominal Ciba share, for a total value of about CHF 6.1 billion (U.S. $5.3 billion). According to a Dec. 2 BASF statement, the completion of the transaction is still subject to approval by antitrust authorities, which is expected in the first quarter of 2009.