Basf announced that it will expand its alkoxy production capacity in Europe

Starting in the second quarter of 2023, BASF will gradually increase its alkoxylation capacity in Antwerp, Belgium, and Ludvig port, Germany. The investment will benefit European customers in particular, with capacity increases of more than 150,000 tonnes per year.

"With this expansion, we will strengthen our position in the European market and open up important growth opportunities for a wide range of applications such as detergents, cleaners, automotive and construction industries," said Mary Kurian, President of Care Chemicals.

"Despite the challenges of recent years, this capacity expansion provides our customers with increased flexibility and supply security. This is a response to the increased long-term demand for alkoxides and reinforces our market leadership position in this growth area, "added Soeren Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President, Home Care, I&I and Industrial Formulations, BASF Europe.

Most of the capacity increase is part of the expansion of ethylene oxides and ethylene oxide derivatives at the joint production site in Antwerp, Belgium. In addition to alkoxides, the expansion includes an investment in a second world-class ethylene oxide production line at the site, including a purified ethylene oxide capacity.

For example, alkoxides are used to produce surfactants for the home care industry and for a variety of applications in industrial and institutional cleaning. Basf's downstream customers use these surfactants in the formulation of washing powders, cleaners and dishwashing products. Alkoxides are also used in technical applications for industrial solutions, such as raw materials for the production of superplasticizers, emulsion polymeric emulsifiers, crop protection additives, and polyurethane foams for the automotive and construction industries.