BASF increases alkoxylates production capacity in Europe

On June 6 local time, BASF announced that it would gradually increase alkoxylate production capacity in Antwerp, Belgium and Ludwigshafen, Germany from the second quarter of this year. This investment is particularly beneficial for European customers, as its production capacity will significantly increase, with an estimated annual production of alkoxylates exceeding 150,000 tons per year.

Mary Kurian, president of BASF Care Chemicals, said in the report: "Through this expansion, we are strengthening our position in Europe, and opening up important growth opportunities in the European market through extensive applications in detergent and detergent, automobile and construction industries." 

Soeren Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President of BASF Europe Home Care and Industrial Formula, added: "Although we have faced many challenges in the past few years, this capacity expansion has provided our customers with greater flexibility and supply security. This is to cope with the long-term growth of demand for alkoxylates and strengthen our market leadership in this growing field."

Most of the increase in alkoxylate production capacity is part of the expansion of the Belgian integrated chemical plant in Antwerp for ethylene oxide and its derivatives. In addition to alkoxylated compounds, the expansion also includes investment in a second world-class ethylene oxide production line, including purified ethylene oxide production capacity.

As an example, alkoxylated compounds are used in the production of surfactants required for the home care industry and various applications in industrial and institutional cleaning. BASF customers use these surfactants in the formulation of Laundry detergent, detergent and dishwashing products. Alkoxylated compounds are also used for technological applications in industrial solutions. For example, raw materials for the production of superplasticizer, lotion polymerization emulsifiers, crop protection additives, and polyurethane foam for the automotive and construction industries.