BASF Builds New Zeolites Production Plant in Ludwigshafen

BASF SE has invested in another new production plant for speciality zeolites at its Ludwigshafen, Germany, headquarters site. These speciality zeolites will be used to produce state-of-the-art emissions catalysts for heavy duty and light duty diesel vehicles.

Due to an increasingly high demand for these catalysts, BASF is investing in this new plant. Production is scheduled to begin in 2019. Another plant in Ludwigshafen started production in 2014.

The site celebrated a topping-out ceremony for the new plant. It will make BASF one of the largest producers of speciality zeolites worldwide. At 83 meters (272 feet) high, the new plant will become one of the highest buildings at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen. Approximately 25 new jobs will be created.

Zeolites are crystalline aluminosilicates that are found in different molecular structures in nature. Specialty zeolites are crystallized under elevated pressure with the help of organic auxiliary agents. BASF currently produces speciality zeolites in Ludwigshafen and at its operating site in Seneca, South Carolina (US). In addition, the company is running pilot facilities in Ludwigshafen and at its research and development site in Beachwood, Ohio (US).

“This investment will allow us to strengthen the reliable supply for our production of leading-edge diesel emissions catalysts solutions for our customers in the heavy-duty diesel, but also the light-duty diesel industry,” said Kenneth Lane, president of BASF’s Catalysts division.

“This investment continues to take the path of strengthening and expansion at the site in Ludwigshafen and clearly shows the advantages of the Verbund site,” said Dr Uwe Liebelt, president European site and Verbund management.