BASF announced plans March 4 to significantly expand its production capacity for 20 specialty amines at its chemical complex in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
The company said it will invest a double-digit million euro amount in expanding its current specialty amines production facilities, gradually bringing them on stream by early 2017.
The specialty amines are used for manufacturing of coatings, lubricants, crop protection products and pharmaceuticals. Examples of BASF amines used in lubricants manufacturing include ethanolamines which can be used as intermediates in the preparation of water-soluble lubricants, emulsifiers, proprietary corrosion inhibitors and biocides; and ethyleneamines, which are used in ashless dispersants for engine oils and in other lubricants.
BASFs worldwide amine production network includes plants in Ludwigshafen and Schwarzheide, Germany; in Antwerp, Belgium; in Geismar, La.; and in Nanjing, China.
This investment will allow us to meet the growing demand that our European customers have for specialty amines, said Stefan Blank, President, BASF Intermediates division.
In March and April 2014, BASF announced the construction of two new multiple product plants for the manufacturing of specialty amines at its sites in Ludwigshafen and Nanjing. Those plants are scheduled to open in 2015.