BASF announced that due to force majeure, this product has ceased supply!

On March 5, BASF issued a force majeure statement: due to a fire in the northern plant area of BASF’s Ludwigshafen plant on March 3, the leakage of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and oxygen-containing gas caused the interruption of the company’s internal supply of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, resulting in As the production of neopentyl glycol (Neol®) was subjected to force majeure, the northern plant of the Ludwigshafen plant could not continue to produce neopentyl glycol (Neol®).

At 9:30 am on March 3, 2021, a fire broke out in the northern plant area of BASF's Ludwigshafen plant, which caused the leakage of Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, oxygen-containing gas and methyldiethanolamine. A short period of fire and thick smoke were clearly visible outside the factory, which was very frightening. After receiving the news, the factory's fire department rushed to the scene for disposal as soon as possible.

So far, the fire has been brought under control, and the specific cause is still under investigation. After the incident, as a precaution, the company took employees near the leak site to the factory's ambulance for observation to avoid the intrusion of toxic gases. After the inspection, it was confirmed that the employee had not inhaled toxic gas, and he could return to the factory on the same day.

It is reported that at least 150 kilograms of methyldiethanolamine in this accident is slightly harmful to water and may cause serious eye irritation. The substance enters the Rhine through the cooling water channel. Due to the leakage in the Rhine and the dilution of the product, there is no harm to aquatic life. As a preventive measure, the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Environment has issued information on the Rhine River to the regions along the Rhine. In addition, the team’s environmental monitoring trucks recorded air emissions on the roads inside and outside the factory site, but did not find elevated levels.

BASF also announced that it will increase the price of formulations and performance additives in North America. The agreement will take effect on April 1, 2021, or within the scope permitted by the contract/price agreement, BASF will increase the North American care chemicals alkanolamide, alkyl polyglucoside, betaine, block copolymer, fat Prices for alcohols, fatty alcohol ethoxylates, IP esters, octylphenol ethoxylates, polyethylene glycols, stabilizers and sulfates, as well as lauric acid and Castor Oil with personal care features. The company said that these price increases were due to rising raw material costs.

BASF announced that the U.S. TDI and polyether polyol prices will increase on April 1. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) rose 11 cents per pound (US$242/ton), and polyols rose 13 cents per pound.

BASF (China) Co., Ltd. announced that the Emulsion Division for Architectural Coatings in Greater China has decided to increase the price of acrylic emulsion products by RMB 2,200-3,000 per ton from March 1, 2021.

BASF announced that due to the continuous surge in raw material costs and supply, BASF will increase the prices of its products in the Asia-Pacific region from March 5th:

Ultradur® PBT products

Modified Ultradur® PBT products rose by US$1,300/ton (approximately RMB 8440/ton)

Unmodified Ultradur® PBT products rose by US$1,700/ton (approximately RMB 11043/ton)

Ultradur® PA6 products

Modified Ultradur® PA6 products rose by US$200/ton (approximately RMB 1299/ton)

Unmodified Ultradur® PA6 products rose by US$300/ton (approximately RMB 1949/ton)

Ultradur® PA66

Product modification Ultradur® PA66 products rose by US$500/ton (approximately RMB 3248/ton)

Unmodified Ultradur® PA6 products rose by US$700/ton (approximately RMB 4547/ton)

Note: Some specific grades may have higher price increases