BASF to build dispersions
plant in Huizhou to better serve growing markets in South China 惠州
*Strengthens BASF’s commitment to Asia’s fast-growing paper markets,
especially China
*Supports anticipated growth in the region’s coatings, construction, printing
& packaging and adhesives markets
*With an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, expands local
production network to serve customers in South China
BASF will invest in a dispersions plant in Daya Bay
Petrochemical Industrial Park in Huizhou, China. With an annual
capacity of 100,000 tons, the new plant will produce XSB
dispersions for the paper industry and acrylic dispersions for
industries such as coatings, construction, printing &
packaging and adhesives . The facility will benefit from local
availability of raw materials and proximity to key customers who
serve Asia’s fastest-growing consumer
markets. Production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of
2012, subject to government approval. The investment is part of
BASF’s growth strategy for Asia
Pacific, which has the goal of doubling sales by 2020.
“This
is an important step for BASF in Asia, following the
establishment of our Paper Chemicals division in 2009. The
investment strengthens BASF’s commitment to the paper and
board industry, with South China offering one of the
fastest-growing markets in the region. With this facility, we are
well positioned to support our customers’
aspirations for
growth and success in the South,” said EngSoo Chew, Senior Vice
President, Paper Chemicals Asia Pacific.
“With
our upstream monomer integration in China, world-scale dispersion
plants exceeding half a million tons in capacity and unique
process for manufacturing low-VOC dispersions, we are well
positioned to support our customers’ strong growth with a reliable
supply of water-based acrylic dispersions in the region,”
said Gops Pillay,
Senior Vice President, Dispersions & Pigments Asia Pacific.
The investment reflects BASF’s focus on participating in the
strong growth of markets in emerging Asia. The additional
capacity will strengthen and complement its regional production
network for XSB and acrylic dispersions, which currently includes
plants in East China, Indonesia and India. XSB dispersions are
used as coating binders for paper, while acrylic dispersions are
used in paints and coatings, printing and packaging, construction
materials and adhesives.
About BASF’s Dispersions and Pigments
Division
BASF is the leading global supplier of raw materials for the
coating and paint industry. The new division Dispersions &
Pigments combines all BASF offerings towards this industry. The
portfolio encompasses pigments, resins, dispersions and a broad
range of additives like light stabilizers and photoinitiators.
Further end-use industries include construction materials,
adhesives, printing and packaging. Our portfolio is focused on
environmentally friendly systems, such as low-VOC water-based
coatings.
2010-10-07 BASF
BASF to establish
STYROLUTION as a leading company in styrenics
Existing BASF
styrenics activities to be transferred to separate
companies
STYROLUTION to focus
on customers in styrenics business
BASF is continuing to
pursue the strategic development of its styrenics business.
STYROLUTION will be established to make the business even more
viable for the future. BASF plans to carve out its businesses in styrene monomers
(SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
styrene butadiene copolymers (SBC) and other styrene-based
copolymers and
establish separate companies. BASF will retain its global
business in polystyrene foams. The SM/PS capacities
in Ludwigshafen used to produce foams will also remain with BASF.
The carve-out is to be
completed by January 1, 2011. STYROLUTION will play a leading
role in the styrenics industry and will continue to improve its
competitiveness.
“The
establishment of STYROLUTION is a further step in the
implementation of BASF’s strategy for its styrenics
business,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, member of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible for BASF’s plastics business. “Through this action, we will be
able to sustain and improve our global business in an environment
characterized by volatile demand, high pressure on margins and
intensive competition. STYROLUTION will become the preferred
supplier for customers globally thanks to its top technology,
outstanding product portfolio and clear focus. At the same time,
we remain open for other strategic options.”
BASF will transfer its
styrenics business at production sites in Germany (Ludwigshafen,
Schwarzheide), Belgium (Antwerp), Korea (Ulsan), India (Dahej)
and Mexico (Altamira) to STYROLUTION. Separate companies will
also be established in other countries, for instance in the
United States, Italy or China, where BASF has other styrenic
activities, such as marketing and sales.
BASF currently employs
approximately 1,460 people in the styrenics business. Sales of
the business were about ? 2.5 billion in 2009.
During the carve-out BASF
is committed to ensuring that customers receive the same high
quality standards.
Roberto Gualdoni, head of
BASF’s Styrenics division stated: “By focusing on styrenics, we are
creating the flexibility to adjust even better to the challenges
in the styrenics industry. Customer needs are the focal point of
our business. They will profit from improved efficiencies,
tailored services, faster technical support, as well as generally
greater speed and improved competitiveness.”
Styrenics are mainly used
in household, office, electrical and communications engineering
and packaging applications. Styrene copolymers are thermoplastics
based on styrene monomers and acrylonitrile and have many
different uses in the automotive and electrical industries as
well as numerous everyday items.
---
2010/10/7
BASF to Place Styrene Business Into Separate Unit Ahead of a
Possible Sale
BASF SE, the world’s largest chemical company,
plans to carve out most of its styrene
operation
generating 2.5 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in sales as a
prelude to a possible divestment.
2010-11-30
BASF and INEOS to
establish a new leading global styrenics company called
Styrolution
*Letter of intent signed for new joint venture with expected
annual sales of more than Euro5 billion.
*Planned joint venture will realize numerous benefits for
customers in the styrenics business.
BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) and INEOS Industries Holdings
Limited (Lyndhurst, UK) have announced their intention to combine
their global business activities in styrene monomers
(SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC) and other styrene-based
copolymers (SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS) as well as copolymer blends
into a new joint venture called Styrolution. A letter of intent was signed by
the two companies on November 29, 2010. The establishment of the
joint venture is subject to approval by the appropriate antitrust
authorities.
BASF has previously announced that it will carve out its
styrenics activities by the end of 2010 and transfer them into
separate entities. The carve-out will continue as planned and as
of January 1, 2011, BASF’s styrenics activities will
operate as a separate company with the name Styrolution. INEOS has also announced that it
is to acquire the other 50% shareholding in its 50-50 styrenics
joint venture, INEOS NOVA, from NOVA Chemicals. Upon
completion of the proposed joint venture with BASF, INEOS will
transfer these activities into the new Styrolution group. 2010/10/11BASF、スチレン系ポリマー事業を別会社Styrolutionに移管 2010/11/22Nova Chemicals、Ineos Novaから撤退
Expandable
polystyrene is not part of the transaction. BASF and INEOS will retain their
expandable polystyrene businesses. The SM/PS capacities in
Ludwigshafen used to produce foam will also remain with BASF as
well as the SM/PS business of BASF-YPC Co. Ltd., in Nanjing,
China.
Styrolution will have a global presence and will offer
significant benefits to its customers in the styrenics industry
through enhanced efficiency, reduced costs and excellent service.
Based on figures for 2010, Styrolution is expected to generate
annual sales of more than Euro 5 billion. Company headquarters
will be located in Frankfurt/Main, Germany. 50% of shares of the
joint venture will be owned by BASF and 50% by INEOS. BASF will
receive cash consideration following the completion of the
transaction. The parties did not disclose any further financial
details.
Roberto Gualdoni (54), who started his career at BASF in 1987,
will be named CEO of Styrolution. In April 2010, Gualdoni became
president of BASF’s Styrenics division. Christoph de
la Camp (47) will become CFO of the new Company. De la Camp began
his career with BP p.l.c. in 1994 and joined INEOS in 2005. He is
currently the CFO of INEOS NOVA.
“The
formation of the joint venture Styrolution together with INEOS is
a further important step in our active portfolio management,”
said Dr. Martin
Brudermuller, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF
SE. “It is our plan to create a leading
player in the global styrenics market in terms of efficiency,
safety, customer service, product quality and competitiveness.
Therefore, the new joint venture with a sizeable partner like
INEOS presents the best option to strengthen the business. Both
partners complement one another with regards to their product and
technology portfolio and global footprint.”
“The joint
venture will deliver new opportunities for innovation and growth
that will provide significant benefit to our customers,“
said Jim Ratcliffe,
Chairman, INEOS Capital. “The world scale-assets will secure
a sustainable and competitive business that is capable of meeting
the long-term needs of a rapidly changing market. This is
consistent with our long-term styrenics strategy.”
Excellent global
position
BASF intends to contribute its SM, PS, ABS, SBC and styrene-based
copolymers businesses in the joint venture. This includes
production plants located in Germany (Ludwigshafen,
Schwarzheide), Belgium (Antwerp), Korea (Ulsan), India (Dahej)
and Mexico (Altamira). BASF employs approximately 1,460 people in
its styrenics business and is expected to generate sales of more
than Euro3 billion in 2010.
INEOS intends to contribute ABS production plants at sites in
Germany (Cologne), Spain (Tarragona), India (Vadodara) and
Thailand (Map Ta Phut) to the joint venture. Furthermore INEOS
will contribute its SM and PS businesses to the joint venture,
which includes INEOS and INEOS NOVA sites in Canada (Sarnia), the
United States (Indian Orchard, Joliet, Decatur, Texas City,
Bayport), Germany (Marl), France (Wingles) and Sweden
(Trelleborg). INEOS employs an approximate total of 2,200 people
in its styrenics activities and is expected to generate sales of
about Euro2 billion in 2010.
BASF and INEOS will continue to operate as strictly independent
companies until the completion of the deal which, subject to the
approval by the appropriate antitrust authorities, is anticipated
in 2011.
2010-12-17
BASF expands
superabsorbent polymer plants in Antwerp and Freeport
*Expansion to raise global annual capacity to 470,000 tonnes
*Investment supports market growth and drives innovation
BASF plans to expand its existing superabsorbent polymer
production capacities at its Antwerp, Belgium and Freeport, USA sites. Gradual debottlenecking
and technical expansion measures are to raise annual capacity by 70,000 tonnes
to a total of 470,000 tonnes by 2012, with each site
contributing an additional 35,000 tonnes.
The aim of the planned
investments is to support market growth and drive innovation. The
additional superabsorbent polymer volumes are also required to
prepare investments at new sites in growth
markets.
Superabsorbent polymers are plastics with the capacity to absorb
up to 500 times their own weight in liquid. The absorption drops
to a still impressive figure of 50 times their weight in salty
body fluids such as urine. In chemical terms, superabsorbent
polymers are water-insoluble cross-linked high-molecular-weight
polymers. Upon exposure to liquids, the granules form a gel that
locks in large amounts of liquid and does not release it even
under pressure. The product is used in the form of a white grainy
powder.
Superabsorbent polymers have a variety of applications
Superabsorbent polymers are mainly used to make diapers. Adult
incontinence products and female hygiene products are another
priority area of research and marketing for the white granules.
Some applications are non-hygiene - the absorption power of
superabsorbent polymers is also used for car seat moisture
control and agricultural water storage.
BASF operates
"Verbund" production facilities, sites that are
totally integrated for raw materials and energy use, for
superabsorbents in Antwerp (Belgium) and Freeport (Texas) as
well as small scale superabsorbent production plants in
Mannheim (Germany) and Rayong (Thailand). This global
presence and strategic site deployment leads to efficiently
run logistic systems and allows BASF to supply customers
worldwide. Moreover, we maintain Technical Service Centers in
Charlotte (North Carolina), Ludwigshafen (Germany), Bangkok
(Thailand) and Shanghai (China) to provide our customers with
comprehensive services and first hand expertise.
2006/3
BASF PLANS to
increase production capacities for acrylic acid and
superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in Antwerp and for butyl
acrylate in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
The company will increase capacity of SAP to 175,000 tons per year from 115,000.
Capacity for the precursor acrylic acid will be extended as a
result and a second plant with capacity of 160,000 tons will
be built to support the existing 160,000 ton acrylic acid
plant.
2007/10
BASF today (October 8, 2007) inaugurated two new
manufacturing plants at its site in Freeport, Texas ? a
production line for polyamide 6 (nylon) and a plant for
superabsorbent polymers (SAP).
The polyamide
production line replaces a facility in Enka, North Carolina.
The new line has an annual capacity of 120,000 metric tons
per year, and the caprolactam feedstock is supplied by
another BASF plant at the Freeport site. “With this latest step in BASF’s consolidation strategy,
Freeport is now the manufacturing base for BASF’s entire polyamide
intermediates and polymers business in North America,”
said Dr. Harald
Lauke, president of BASF’s Performance Polymers
division. “We are strongly committed to
the North American polyamide market, and the state-of-the-art
technology employed at the new facility will enable us to
reliably support our customers with top quality polymers.”
The new superabsorbent
polymers manufacturing
facility is supplied with a key raw material, acrylic acid,
from another BASF plant at the Freeport site which provides
major competitive advantages in terms of logistics and
product quality. The new SAP plant has a capacity of 180,000 metric
tons per year and replaces existing facilities in Aberdeen,
Mississippi and Portsmouth, Virginia.
2011-01-04
BASF completes
acquisition of CRI/Criterion’s styrene catalysts business
BASF today announced that
it has successfully completed its acquisition of CRI/Criterion’s global styrene catalysts
business.
As part of this agreement, BASF has acquired CRI/Criterion’s customer list, contracts and
exclusive and non-exclusive licenses for intellectual property,
including applicable patents and know-how in the field of styrene
catalysts, as well as CRI/Criterion’s styrene catalysts inventory.
There were no plant assets associated with the deal.
BASF previously announced the signing of this purchase agreement
via a news release issued on November 29, 2010.
About BASF’s Catalysts division
BASF’s Catalysts division is the world’s leading supplier of
environmental and process catalysts. The group offers exceptional
expertise in the development of technologies that protect the air
we breathe, produce the fuels that power our world and ensure
efficient production of a wide variety of chemicals, plastics and
other products. By leveraging our industry-leading R&D
platforms, passion for innovation and deep knowledge of precious
and base metals, BASF’s Catalysts division develops
unique, proprietary catalyst and adsorbent solutions that drive
customer success.
CRI/Criterion, Inc.
manufactures and supplies packages of catalysts, services,
and solutions for refinery and petrochemical plants. It
provides hydroprocessing, reforming, and specialty catalysts
to the refining and chemical industries; and EO, VAM,
styrene, hydrogenation, and environmental catalysts to the
petrochemical industry. The company also involves in
operating research laboratories, development facilities,
manufacturing plants, and business units; providing oxidation
and dehydrogenation catalysts and systems; and providing
ethylene oxide and hydrogen catalysts.
CRI/Criterion, Inc. is based in Houston, Texas.
CRI/Criterion, Inc. operates as a subsidiary
of The Royal Dutch/Shell Group
2011-02-01
BASF starts operations at
expanded Ecoflex plant
*Production capacity for biodegradable plastics increases by
60,000 metric tons per year
*Production of plastics based on renewable raw materials also
rises
*BASF expects significant market growth for biodegradable
plastics through 2020
BASF has started operations at its expanded plant for the
production of the biodegradable plastic Ecoflex(R). Expansion of the existing
plant in Ludwigshafen will increase production capacity for
Ecoflex from 14,000 to 74,000 metric tons per year. At the same time, BASF
will ramp up compounding capacity for Ecovio(R), a derivative of Ecoflex. (45%ポリ乳酸
+ Ecoflex)
Ecoflex is a plastic that has the properties of conventional
polyethylene
but is fully biodegradable under industrial composting
conditions in accordance with DIN EN 13432. Ecovio is a
derivative of Ecoflex that is also biodegradable and that
contains up to 75 percent renewable raw materials. Typical
applications are shopping bags, organic waste bags, mulch films
for agricultural applications, and food packaging. One of the
latest innovations is Ecovio FS Paper, which is used to provide a
biodegradable waterproof coating on the interior surfaces of
paper cups and cardboard containers.
With Ecovio and Ecoflex, BASF is already one of the world’s leading suppliers of biobased
and biodegradable plastics. Both of these properties are
increasingly in demand, and the market for biodegradable and
biobased plastics is currently growing by more than 20 percent
per year.
*Project approved by Chinese authorities
*BASF to invest RMB 8 billion (approximately Euro 860 million )
*Facility to start up by 2014
*New plant to produce materials that help Chinese consumers and
manufacturers save energy, reduce carbon
*Project to be implemented according to BASF’s global environmental and safety
standards
BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, has
received approval for a 400,000 metric tons per year MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate)
project in Chongqing, China. The investment will total RMB 8
billion (approximately Euro860 million). The facility, which will
produce a core component mainly used for polyurethane foams, is
expected to start up by 2014.
The project was approved by Chinese authorities, following a
stringent examination of environmental, health and safety
standards, two rounds of local public consultation and several
expert reviews. This state-of-the-art facility will consist of an
MDI
plant, a nitrobenzene plant and an aniline plant, and will cover 40 hectares. It
will form the center of an integrated chemical production complex
operated by the Chongqing (Changshou) Chemical Industry Park.
Dr. Martin Brudermuller, member of the Board of Executive
Directors of BASF SE, responsible for Asia Pacific, said, “Chongqing is at the center of a
growing inland region. Investing here will give us access to what
will be one of the biggest MDI markets in the world. We are
applying world-class safety and environmental standards in the
construction and operation of our facility, and at the same time
we will produce products that have a direct impact on increasing
energy efficiency and lowering carbon emissions. Our investment
is a pioneering step into western China. With this investment we
are supporting the Chinese Government with their plans for rapid
and sustainable development in western China.”
At the facility,
BASF will produce MDI, a core component for versatile
polyurethane (PU) products. Polyurethane is used extensively for
cold as well as heat insulation applications and is the preferred
material for keeping food and medications cold during production,
distribution and storage. With its unique insulation properties,
PU is used in the majority of refrigerators and freezers, for the
insulation of hot water tanks, and for district heating or
cooling pipeline insulation. In China, BASF has been producing
MDI in Caojing, Shanghai since 2006. The company also has
production of MDI in Antwerp, Belgium; Yeosu, Korea; and Geismar,
Louisiana.
In addition to the production complex for MDI, BASF is also
establishing a new Polyurethane Solutions System House in
Chongqing to meet the demand of the growing markets in important
industries like construction, appliances, transportation and
footwear. The planned System House will have local production
with sales, technical service and development personnel to
provide fast and competent support to its customers.
“With
these steps, BASF is the first global PU player to show a strong
commitment to this important and fast growing region of China,”
said Wayne T.
Smith, President of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. “Our Polyurethanes Solutions System
House will be fully integrated into the new MDI plant which is a
significant advantage for our customers. In addition, they will
benefit from the know-how and experience of BASF’s PU specialists worldwide.”
Local employment
BASF estimates that there will be at least 300 permanent jobs
created through the BASF facility alone when the plant is
operating in full swing. At start-up, a total of 17 plants and
businesses in the chemical park will immediately begin operation
as key partners or suppliers, forming the nexus of a new industry
manufacturing cluster serving multiple, labor-intensive
industries.
Focus on safety and environmental protection
Key safety and environmental protection features of the proposed
project include full integration into a chemical park and
optimized processes to bring very high efficiency and minimal
emissions. The complex is an example of BASF’s integrated production concept
known as “Verbund”
in which waste
streams are recycled and used as feedstock for chemical
production to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental
impact.
BASF has introduced a “five levels of safety for
isocyanate production” system based on advanced solutions
stemming from decades of experience worldwide to meet strictest
local and BASF global environmental and safety standards. BASF
works closely with the chemical park to guarantee very high
standards for the facilities and management of environmental
protection in the area.
Additionally, BASF will implement a “three levels of water protection”
system. These
processes include water protection measures from other sites BASF
has operated for many years near sensitive watercourses such as
the Rhine River in Ludwigshafen, Germany, the Schelde River in
Antwerp, Belgium (located near the coastline of the North Sea)
and the Mississippi River near Geismar, Louisiana.
March
28 2011 .hazardexonthenet.net
BASF
Plans Acrylic Acid, Butyl Acrylate and Superabsorbents Complex in
Brazil
BASF says it is exploring
opportunities in Brazil to build an acrylic acid,
butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers manufacturing complex. The
company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Braskem,
which will secure supply of propylene feedstock by Braskem to
BASF.
BASF says it is
conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the technical,
commercial and economic viability of operating a world-scale
acrylic acid and derivatives manufacturing complex in Brazil. The
study, due for completion during this year, will determine which
facilities will be included as well as their capacities.
Construction is expected to begin next year with completion
targeted for 2014-15.
The company declines to provide details about capital expenditure
but it recently said that it plans to spend Euro 496 million
($690.8 million) in South America, Africa and the Middle-East
between 2011-15. This is likely to include the project in Brazil.
BASF is already producing butyl acrylate in Brazil but there is
no production at all of acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers
in South America and all the product is imported, says Alfred
Hackenberger, president BASF/South America. "With these new
investments we will be the first company to produce acrylic acid
and superabsorbent polymers in South America, which will enable
us to better serve our customers, further foster our position in
these markets and open up additional opportunities for our
buisnesses in South America," he says. BASF's butyl acrylate
complex is located at Guaratinguetá.
BASF is the global
leading producer of acrylic acid with combined capacity for 1.19
million m.t./year, including 320,000 m.t./year each at Antwerp
and Ludwigshafen, 230,000 m.t./year at Freeport, TX, 160,000
m.t./year at Nanjing, China, and 160,000 m.t./year at Quantan,
Malaysia. BASF plans to double capacity of the acrylic acid plant
at Nanjing.
BASFのアクリル酸 （トン）
Antwerp
320,000
Ludwigshafen
320,000
Freeport, TX
230,000
Nanjing, China
160,000
倍増計画
Quantan,
Malaysia
160,000
Total
1,190,000
2011-05-26 BASF
BASF to build world’s largest single-train TDI plant
in Europe Fully
integrated 300,000 metric tons plant to start up in 2014 BASF
will be able to serve customers’ demand through local world-scale
production in the largest geographic markets Unique
Verbund concept provides excellent cost structures
BASF will build the world’s largest single-train TDI
(toluene diisocyanate) plant in Europe. The plant will have a
capacity of 300,000 metric tons per year and will be fully
integrated with precursor production. The TDI plant will be
located at one of the company’s integrated Verbund sites in Antwerp, Belgium
or Ludwigshafen, Germany and will start production in 2014. Engineering is underway and the
final site selection will be announced shortly. TDI is a key
component used for polyurethane foams.
Dr. Martin Brudermuller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive
Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Plastics segment,
said: “This new investment supports BASF’s growth strategy, underlines our leading
position as the largest TDI producer and reinforces our strong
commitment to the TDI market. BASF will have the ability to serve
its customers’ demand through local world-scale
production in the largest markets North America, Europe and Asia,
in particular China. We have a superior technology and
outstanding safety procedures. Moreover, our unique Verbund
concept provides us with excellent cost structures."
“With
this new plant, we will complement our strong global network of
integrated world-scale TDI facilities to serve our customers’
growing demand ,”
said Wayne T.
Smith, President of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. “We expect the global TDI market to
grow faster than GDP in the coming years, with strong
contribution from Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and
Africa. This growth is driven by ongoing urbanization and
increasing standards of living.”
TDI is a key
component for the polyurethanes industry. To a large extent it is
used in the automotive industry (e.g. seating cushion and
interior applications) as well as in the furniture segment (e.g.
flexible foams for mattresses, cushions or wood coating).
BASF is a leading supplier of basic products for polyurethanes
and operates TDI plants in Geismar, Louisiana; Schwarzheide,
Germany; Yeosu, Korea; and Caojing, China.
BASF and INEOS sign joint
venture contract for Styrolution Joint venture to be a leader in
the global styrenics market
BASF SE and INEOS Industries Holdings Limited have made an
important step towards the establishment of the joint venture
company Styrolution. On May 27, 2011 the companies signed a joint
venture contract, which regulates the formation of the joint
venture company Styrolution. The establishment of the joint
venture is subject to approval by the appropriate antitrust
authorities.
BASF and INEOS plan to combine their global business activities
in styrene monomers (SM), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile
butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene block copolymers (SBC)
and other styrene-based copolymers (SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS) as
well as copolymer blends into the new joint venture called Styrolution. The business with expandable
polystyrene is not part of the transaction. BASF and INEOS will retain their
respective businesses.
The company headquarters will be located in Frankfurt/Main,
Germany. In the joint venture 50% of the shares will be owned by
BASF and 50% by INEOS. BASF will receive cash consideration
following the completion of the transaction.
Dr. Martin Brudermuller, Vice Chairman of the Board of Executive
Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Plastics segment
said: “The signing of the joint venture
contract is an important milestone. With the signing we have
built a strong foundation to establish Syrolution, the leading
global company for styrenics, before the end of the year, subject
to regulatory approval. Styrolution will deliver to its customers
around the globe even better service, a fast and secure supply as
well as excellent product quality.”
“The Joint
Venture agreement paves the way for a globally competitive
business that will provide significant benefit to its customers,”
said Jim Ratcliffe,
Chairman, INEOS Capital. “ Styrolution will be capable of
meeting the long-term needs of a rapidly changing market as it
competes effectively with large-scale producers from Asia and the
Middle East. ”
Excellent global
position
BASF intends to contribute its SM, PS, ABS, SBC and styrene-based
copolymers businesses in the joint venture. This includes
production plants located in Germany (Ludwigshafen,
Schwarzheide), Belgium (Antwerp), Korea (Ulsan), India (Dahej)
and Mexico (Altamira). BASF employs approximately 1,460 people in
its styrenics business and generated sales of about ?3.9 billion
in 2010.
INEOS intends to contribute ABS production plants at sites in
Germany (Cologne), Spain (Tarragona), India (Vadodara) and
Thailand (Map Ta Phut) to the joint venture. In addition INEOS
will contribute its SM and PS businesses to the joint venture,
which includes INEOS and INEOS Styrenics sites in Canada
(Sarnia), the United States (Indian Orchard, Joliet, Decatur,
Texas City, Bayport), Germany (Marl), France (Wingles) and Sweden
(Trelleborg). INEOS employs approximately 2,200 people in its
styrenics activities and generated sales of about ?2.8 billion in
2010.
BASF and INEOS will continue to operate as strictly independent
companies until the completion of the deal, which is anticipated
in 2011, subject to the approval by the appropriate antitrust
authorities.
Styrenics are mainly used for household and office products, for
electrical and communication devices and for packaging.
Styrene-based copolymers are thermoplastic resins on the basis of
the monomers styrene and acrylonitrile. They are mainly used in
the automotive and technical industries as well as for many
everyday products.
------
2011/6/1 Ineos
EU
Commission approves formation of joint venture Styrolution
· BASF and INEOS Industries to
combine their global styrenics businesses · Joint venture to be a leader in
the global styrenics market · Remedy relates to ABS production
site in Spain
The EU Commission has today given its approval for the formation
of the joint venture Styrolution. BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany,
and INEOS Industries Holdings Limited, Lyndhurst, UK, now have EU
clearance to combine in Styrolution their global business
activities in styrene monomers (SM), polystyrene (PS),
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene block
copolymers (SBC) and other styrene-based copolymers (SAN, AMSAN,
ASA, MABS) as well as copolymer blends. Pro forma sales of the
combined businesses were ?6.4 billion in 2010. Expandable
polystyrene is not part of this transaction. BASF and INEOS will
retain their respective businesses.
With Styrolution, BASF and INEOS will establish the leading
company in the global styrenics market. Styrolution has an
excellent global position with production sites in Europe, Asia
and North America.
The EU Commission has approved the formation of the joint venture
subject to the requirement that the parties sell an ABS
production site in Tarragona, Spain. This site accounted for less than
3% of Styrolution’s pro forma EBITDA for the year
2010. The formation of the new joint venture has already been
approved by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission without any
remedies.
BASF and INEOS will continue to operate as strictly independent
companies until the completion of the deal, which is anticipated
in 2011, subject to remaining approvals from antitrust
authorities in other countries.
Styrenics are mainly used for household and office products, for
electrical and communication devices and for packaging.
Styrene-based copolymers are thermoplastic resins based on
styrene and acrylonitrile. They are mainly used in automotive and
technical applications as well as for many everyday products.
However,
the Commission found that the proposed transaction, as
initially notified, would have raised competition concerns in
the market for ABS, where the merged entity would have had a
strong position in a market where the concentration level is
already high. ABS is a chemical product used in a variety of
applications including, for instance, refrigerator door caps,
vacuum cleaner components, washing machine panels, computer
keyboards and housings, dashboard components and steering
wheel covers.
GEO
is a leading producer of naphthalene sulfonate products used
as dispersants in the concrete admixture, gypsum, oil field,
ceramics and polymerization industries. Our LOMAR®brand is the most widely
utilized worldwide.
GEO
is one of the largest domestic manufacturers of calcium
stearate dispersions. Our NOPCOTE®brand calcium stearate is
widely used in the concrete admixture and block industry as a
water proofing aid.
GEO
is the #1 North American manufacturer and supplier of
Glycine.
GEO
is a leader in clay products for oil, gas and agrochemical
applications.
GEO
holds a number one global position in additives for high
performance alkyd and polyester liquid and powder resin
coatings using TRIMET®Trimethylolethane
(TME) and environmentally friendly aqueous polyurethane
dispersion resins using Dimethylolpropionic Acid (DMPA®).
GEO
is a leading U.S. producer and marketer of aluminum sulfate
and a leader in the market with ULTRAFLOC®aluminum-based flocculants and
coagulants for water treatment and papermaking.
2011/6/16
www.plastemart.com
BASF signs Memorandum of
Agreement to expand Yeosu facility for MDI
BASF has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to expand its Yeosu
facility for MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate). The Yeosu site
was established in 1998 and currently has an annual production
capacity of 190,000 tons MDI, 160,000 tons TDI (toulene
di-isocyanate), and 20,000 tons of CCD (Carbonyl Chloride
Derivatives).
BASF and other companies will collectively invest a total of KRW
80 billion (approx Euro50 mln) in Yeosu Industrial Complex
between 2011 and 2012, increasing the capacity of the MDI site
from its current 190,000 tpa to 250,000 tpa.
"This investment will help us secure reliable supply to our
customers not only in Korea, but also throughout the Asia Pacific
region,” said Wayne Smith. “It demonstrates our strong
commitment to the polyurethane industry and to supporting our
customers' dynamic growth."
"According to our Asia Pacific Strategy 2020, we will invest
?2.3 billion in the Asia Pacific region from 2011-2015. With this
investment we are supporting the plans of Jeollanamdo Province
for rapid and sustainable development. At the Yeosu site, we are
producing products that help our customers increase energy
efficiency and lower carbon emissions," said Albert Heuser,
President, Market and Business Development Asia Pacific for BASF.
Bloomberg 2011/7/6
BASF Mulls GMO Crop Exit in Germany
BASF to Consider Genetically Modified Crop Exit in Germany
A technician holds test tubes full of plants grown in a BASF SE
laboratory. BASF said it’s too early to comment on the
future of plant biotechnology research, though the company will
take regional politics into account. Source: BASF via Bloomberg
BASF SE (BAS), the world’s biggest chemical maker, may
withdraw genetically modified crop research from Germany in
response to growing political opposition, three people familiar
with discussions said.
The maker of the Amflora scientific potato is considering the
future of its research facility in rural Limburgerhof in
southwestern Germany, said the people, who asked not to be
identified because the plans aren’t public. A move to the U.S. is
possible for the plant biotechnology operations, which employ
700, said one of the people.
Germany plans to close all 17 of its nuclear reactors by 2022,
exiting atomic power after a meltdown in Japan stoked safety
concerns. The move has strengthened the Green Party, which
rejects nuclear energy and is now a junior coalition partner in
BASF’s home state. The risks of
genetically modified organisms are difficult to calculate, the
Greens say.
“GMOs
may be just like atomic energy,” said Ulrike Hoefken, the Green
Party’s regional environment minister. “The risks are masked and big
benefits are claimed. But it’s the general public who is left
with the costs for any damage.”
The flight of
research means Germany may lose out on the $12 billion market for
genetically modified plants, which is set to grow 5 percent
annually over the next five years, according to advisory firm
Phillips McDougall. BASF founded the agricultural center in
Limburgerhof in 1914 and now has 11,000 square meters of
greenhouses and some 40 hectares of fields.
Weighing Politics
BASF, in an e-mailed response to questions, said it’s too early to comment on the
future of plant biotechnology research, though the company will
take regional politics into account. The company has already
halted projects focusing solely on the European market, it said.
The Green Party tripled its vote in Rhineland-Palatinate, home to
BASF’s Ludwigshafen headquarters, on
March 27.
“We
are committed to green biotechnology,” Peter Eckes, head of BASF’s plant science unit, said in an
e-mail. “We value the open and constructive
dialogue we have had with Rhineland- Palatinate’s government in the past and want
to continue this dialogue with the members of the new government.
This also includes the clarification of the new government’s attitude toward green
biotechnology.”
The potential
setback comes a year after BASF won permission to plant its
Amflora potato for use as a thickening agent for paper,
overcoming 13 years of opposition from environmental groups in
Germany and Sweden who cited possible damage to health and
ecology.
Missing Out
Developing countries will overtake industrialized nations in
planting genetically modified crops before 2015, said Clive
James, founder of nonprofit International Service for the
Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, or ISAAA.
“The
price countries like Germany will have to pay if they decide
against biotech will be very high,” James said in an interview on June
15. “The money and the scientists would
go elsewhere. That’s a long-term loss.”
James estimates
15.4 million farmers in the world use biotech crops, 90 percent
of those being “among the poorest of the poor.”
The crops are an “essential element”
to help reach the
United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals,
which include cutting poverty and hunger by 50 percent by 2015,
James said.
German seed maker KWS Saat AG (KWS) carries out research and
plants test fields in its home country, while commercial planting
takes place in the U.S. because of regulatory hurdles in Europe,
according to spokeswoman Sabine Michalek. Bayer, based in
Leverkusen, Germany, located its plant biotechnology research in
Belgium.
Monsanto’s Moves
Monsanto Co., the world’s largest seed company, has pared
plant development in Germany to a sole project with two test
fields because the country’s “basic framework doesn’t lend itself to further products,”
company spokesman
Andreas Thierfelder said.
“We’re keeping the minimum required to
retain our accreditation,” Thierfelder said by telephone on
June 22. “It’s just enough to keep our foot in
the door.” Monsanto does most of its research
in Missouri, where the company is based.
China may be spending the most on researching crops engineered
for specific traits or resistance to pests, ISAAA’s James estimates, with Brazil and
India also investing heavily.
“China
sees it as a strategic issue, a question of independence and of
food security,” he said.
2011-07-20 BASF
BASF to build world-scale
production site for customer specific antioxidant blends in
Middle East
・Major
BASF investment into antioxidants to further strengthen the
plastic additives business ・New
plant will be operational end of 2012
BASF will significantly expand its presence in the Middle East
region by building a state-of-the-art plant for customer specific
antioxidant blends (CSB) in Bahrain. CSBs are key additives for the
production of polymers for the plastics industry, especially for
the Middle East region. Construction of the new facility will
start in September 2011. It will become one of the world’s largest CSB plants with an
annual capacity of about 16,000 metric tons. The new plant will be operational
already by end of 2012.
This is a major
investment of BASF in the plastic additives business following
its acquisition of Ciba in 2009 and manifests BASF’s strong commitment to this
industry. Hans W. Reiners, President of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division,
explained this strategic move: “We are very happy to establish a
state-of-the-art CSB production site close to our customers in
this fast growing region. This is backed by our powerful
production network of antioxidants in Asia, Europe and the
Americas making us worldwide one of the leading partners to the
plastic processing industry with a product portfolio unmatched in
terms of broadness and quality. BASF is very much committed to
further strengthen its plastic additives business ranging from
antioxidants and lightstabilizers to pigments.”
This new plant will
come in
addition to the existing manufacturing agreement for CSBs with
Astra Polymer in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, making BASF the largest CSB
supplier in this region. This facility will be well positioned to
serve the fast growing polymer market in the Middle East with
special focus on key customers in the countries of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC), one of the fastest growing regions for
the production of polyolefin resins worldwide.
“The
expected growth of the plastic polymer production in Middle East
will get an additional push by increasing efforts to grow the
plastics downstream market locally. As BASF, we are committed to
accompany such growth with technical solutions and flexible
supply patterns which are only possible as a local supplier,”
said John Frijns,
Senior Vice President Plastics Additives Europe/EAWA. “This will help us to deliver high
quality products tailor-made to the demand of the industry.
Furthermore, the proximity to our main customers will ensure a
flexible and reliable supply.”
Astra Polymers is
an ISO 9001:2000-certified Saudi Arabian member company
of industry conglomerate Astra Industrial Group (AIG)
specializing in the production of
high-quality Masterbatch (Black, White, and Color),
and Dust Free Additive Systems together with custom-made
Thermoplastic Compounds plus liquid based or paste
colorants and custom compounding for the Polymer
Manufacturing, Polymer Converting, Petrochemical and
Plastics Processing Industries.
2009/4 BASFがCiba買収
2010/7/12BASF to
discontinue Ciba JV plans with Astra Polymer This
termination will not impact the existing
tolling agreement between the two partners to
produce customer specific antioxidant blends for the region.
2010-10-19BASF plans new blending
facility for antioxidants in Bahrain
BASF is
strengthening its presence in the Middle East to
support the strongly growing regional polymer
industry
The company is
finalizing plans for a new production facility for
customer specific antioxidant blends in Bahrain
BASF is
committed to continue the existing local tolling
agreement for antioxidant blends with Astra Polymer
July
27, 2011 rubberworld.com/
BASF
doubling plasticizer capacity
BASF is
planning to double production of its phthalate-free
plasticizer
Hexamoll DINCH from 100,000 metric tons to 200,000 metric
tons per
year at the Ludwigshafen site by 2013. Therefore, a second
production plant will now be built in Ludwigshafen. This will
enhance supply security worldwide while continuing to ensure
consistently high quality. The decision is based on a strong
increase in demand across all regions as well as the continued
growth of demand for alternative plasticizers.
This is
the second capacity increase for Hexamoll DINCH since its
successful market launch in 2002. In 2007, the original
production capacity of 25,000 metric tons per year was quadrupled to
100,000.
2011-08-01 BASF
BASF and CSM explore a bio-based succinic acid joint venture
The two companies will intensify their collaboration with the aim to become the
leading supplier in the succinic acid market
BASF SE and Purac, a subsidiary of CSM nv, today announce the start of negotiations to form
a joint venture for the production of bio-based succinic acid
コハク酸. The companies
have been conducting research under a joint development agreement on bio-based succinic acid since 2009. The complementary strengths in fermentation and
downstream processing led to the development of a sustainable and highly
efficient manufacturing process based on a proprietary microorganism. The demand
for succinic acid is anticipated to grow strongly in the next years. Main
drivers are expected to be bioplastics, chemical intermediates, solvents,
polyurethanes and plasticizers.
“We are happy to bring our partnership with Purac to the next level,” said Dr.
Andreas Kreimeyer, Member of the Board of Executive Directors and Research
Executive Director of BASF. “Until now our partnership has been very successful,
and moving towards a joint venture will strengthen our goal to become the
leading supplier in the succinic acid market.”
“We aim to be the first commercial producer in the market with a
25,000 tons
capacity fermentation production plant at the Purac site near Barcelona, Spain,
with the intention to start up by 2013 at the latest,” said Gerard Hoetmer,
Chief Executive Officer of CSM. “In addition, we are already planning a
world-scale plant with a capacity of 50,000 tons to account for the expected
demand growth. This partnership has enormous potential as it leverages the
combined competencies of two leading companies in their fields.”
During the existing cooperation critical steps of the jointly developed
production process have been validated in several successful production
campaigns. The resulting volumes were used to evaluate the market. “After
successfully testing the BASF in-house applications we are now able to make
large volumes available for external customers,” said Dr. Thomas Weber, Managing
Director of BASF Future Business GmbH with regard to the recent industrial
production campaign in June 2011. “The goal is to globally provide a high
product quality and offer security of supply to the customers,” Fabrizio
Rampinelli, Managing Director of Purac, added. “Through this bio-based succinic
acid collaboration we aim to add another important new growth-pillar to our
bio-based polymers and green chemical business.”
The newly developed process combines high efficiency with the use of renewable
substrates and the fixation of the greenhouse gas CO2 during the production.
This results in a positive eco-footprint and makes bio-based succinic acid an
economically and ecologically attractive alternative to petrochemical
substitutes. The employed microorganism Basfia succiniciproducens 新規コハク酸生成細菌 is a natural
producer of succinic acid and can process a wide variety of C3, C5 and C6
renewable feedstocks, including biomass sources.
About BASF Future Business GmbH
BASF Future Business GmbH, a 100 percent subsidiary of BASF SE, was founded in
April 2001. It aims to open up business areas with above-average growth rates
that lie outside BASF's mainstream activities. The company focuses on
chemistry-based new materials, technologies and system solutions. BASF Future
Business GmbH commissions research from BASF’s R&D units but also cooperates
with startup companies, industrial partners, universities and potential
customers. Other alternatives include the acquisition of direct stakes, joint
ventures with partner companies or provision of venture capital via the
subsidiary BASF Venture Capital GmbH. Further information on BASF Future
Business is available on the Internet at www.basf-fb.de .
We support the development of new business areas
with:
internal research projects
publicly sponsored projects
cooperations
venture capital participations
acquisitions
About Purac
Purac is a leading company in lactic acid
乳酸 based chemistry and the worldwide
market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives and lactides. Purac is
innovation driven and develops new products, technology and services in close
cooperation with customers and knowledge centers. Purac has almost 80 years of
experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of its products in a
broad range of industries. Purac operates production plants in the USA, the
Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand and markets its products through a
worldwide network of sales offices and distributors. Purac is headquartered in
The Netherlands and is part of CSM.
About CSM
CSMはオランダに本社を置く世界最大規模の製菓製パン材料メーカー
CSM is global market leader in lactic acid and lactic acid derivatives and is
the largest supplier of bakery products worldwide. CSM operates in
business-to-business markets throughout Europe, North America, South America,
and Asia, generates annual sales of € 3 billion and has a workforce of around
9,700 employees in 28 countries. CSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. For more
information: www.csmglobal.com
May 9, 2011
Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company, and
the French starch and starch derivatives company Roquette Frères
today announce that they will build a commercial scale plant for the
production of bio-based succinic
acid, the first
non-fossil feedstock derived chemical building block that allows
customers in the chemical industry to choose a bio-based alternative
with a lower eco-footprint for a broad range of applications, from
packaging to footwear.
With a capacity of about
10 kilotons per year, the plant will be Europe’s
largest bio-based succinic acid facility. It is expected to come on
stream in H2 2012 and will be built on the premises of Roquette in
Cassano Spinola (Italy).
2011-08-19 BASF
BASF to invest in a world
scale acrylic acid complex in Brazil
Largest investment in BASF’s history in South America
Start of production planned for 2014
Braskem S.A. to be strategic partner for raw materials and utilities
Start of 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate production in Guaratinguetá, São Paulo, Brazil
BASF will invest in a world-scale production site for
acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in
Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil. It will be the first
acrylic acid and superabsorbents plant in South America. With an investment
volume of more than €500 million, it is the largest investment in BASF’s
century-long history in South America.
In addition, BASF will start to produce 2-ethyl-hexyl
acrylate, an important raw material for the adhesives and special
coatings industries, in its existing chemical complex in
Guaratinguetá, São Paulo . This will be the first plant for this product
in South America.
With the new acrylic acid complex, BASF aims to ensure the supply for important
products as: superabsorbents for diapers, acrylic resins for coatings, textiles
and adhesives and products for civil construction.
“BASF is the global and regional leader in the acrylic value chain. Due to the
strong growth in Brazil, the time has come for this important investment. It
will further strengthen our position and underlines our confidence in the
development of the South American market,” said Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, member
of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.
“This project reinforces the importance of the region for BASF, ensuring the
supply of our products to our customers in South America and contributing to the
development of the country,” said Dr. Alfred Hackenberger, President of BASF
South America.
The Camaçari location is being chosen based on the availability of raw materials
(propylene) and utilities provided
by Braskem S.A., the major chemical company in
Brazil and the strategic supplier for BASF in this project.
The German multinational
also announced an agreement with Brazil’s Braskem, Latin America’s largest
petrochemical company, which will supply the propylene and soda that will
serve as raw material for the new plant.
Braskem said it will invest around $30 million to expand its production in
Brazil, noting that, under the agreement, propylene that is currently
exported will instead be sold to BASF’s plant in Bahia.
“The contract with BASF will bring benefits to the whole acrylic acid value
chain, not only because of the production capacity of the project and the size
of the investment, but also because of the best-in-class technology available.
Above this, the complex will generate new important investments to Camaçari,
attracting new manufacturing companies to Bahia State,” said Carlos Fadigas,
President of Braskem.
The construction of the new acrylic acid complex will start in 2011 employing
about 1,000 individuals during construction. Production is expected to begin in
the fourth quarter of 2014, generating 230 direct and 600 indirect jobs. The
production for 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate in Guaratinguetá is expected to start in
2015 on the basis of Acrylic Acid produced in Camaçari.
“We expect the investment to bring a very positive impact of about $300 million
per year on the trade balance of the country, thereof $200 million through
reducing imports and $100 million through increasing exports,” said Hackenberger.
Acrylic acid is an important precursor in the value chain of superabsorbent
polymers, the active component of baby diapers and other hygiene products.
Acrylic esters, the most important derivatives of acrylic acid, are used to
produce adhesive raw materials, construction chemicals and architectural
coatings such as Suvinil, BASF’s decorative coatings brand in South America and
the leader in the premium segment in Brazil.
2011/8/25
BASF : Nord Stream Pipeline Connected to OPAL
Last welding seam joining first Nord Stream line and European pipeline network
complete
Pipeline system ready for next steps of commissioning
The direct link between the major Russian reserves in
Siberia and the European natural gas market is in place: The first line of the
Nord Stream Pipeline is now connected to the
OPAL natural gas pipeline (Ostsee-Pipeline-Anbindungs-Leitung
- Baltic Sea Pipeline Link).
The 470-kilometer-long
OPAL will start where the Nord Stream pipeline comes on shore in Lubmin near
Greifswald and run south as far as Olbernhau on the German-Czech border.
Other connecting points on the route are planned in order to integrate the
OPAL into the existing European gas infrastructure.
"The pipeline system is now ready for the next
complex steps of bringing the pipeline on stream, which means we will be able to
commission the first of the Nord Stream twin pipelines in the fourth quarter of
2011 as planned," Dr. Georg Nowack, Nord Stream AG project manager for Germany,
explained. "The connecting pipeline OPAL, which will pick up the natural gas
from Nord Stream and transport it onwards, is already complete," said Bernd
Vogel, Managing Director of OPAL NEL TRANSPORT GmbH, a company of the WINGAS
Group which will operate the connecting pipeline. "So we are ready. The Russian
natural gas can come."
2011-09-27 BASF
BASF to sell fertilizer
activities to EuroChem
BASF has signed a contract with
EuroChem, Moscow,
Russia, to sell its fertilizer activities in Antwerp,
Belgium. BASF also plans to sell its 50% share of
the joint venture PEC-Rhin in Ottmarsheim, France, to EuroChem. The total
transaction value is expected to be approximately €700 million. The divestments
are subject to approval by the appropriate antitrust authorities. BASF plans to
complete the transactions by the end of the first quarter of 2012.
In Antwerp, the scope includes plants for CAN/AN (calcium ammonium
nitrate/ammonium nitrate) fertilizers, Nitrophoska® fertilizers and
nitrophosphoric acid as well as three related nitric acid plants. BASF is in the
process to carve out the activities into a separate company. About 330 employees
will transfer to the new company which will be acquired by EuroChem.
BASF also plans to sell its shares in PEC-Rhin,
which produces CAN/AN fertilizers and the respective intermediates, ammonia and
nitric acid. The company is a 50-50 joint venture with GPN, a member of the
French Total group, and currently has about 190 employees.
“Our very skilled team and the highly competitive plants will have a sustainable
future and will create additional value with a strategic buyer whose core
business is fertilizer,” said Dr. Andreas Kreimeyer, member of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF SE, responsible for the Chemicals segment.
“Furthermore, EuroChem is an excellent partner to support our Verbund concept at
the Antwerp site.”
Dmitry Strezhnev, CEO of EuroChem, commented “With the acquisition of BASF’s
fertilizer complex in Antwerp, EuroChem will be gaining high-quality production
assets with superior logistics that provide it with further geographical
diversification and significantly improve its proximity to European customers.
The same would be true for the 50% share of PEC-Rhin. This is in line with our
strategy to increase our share in the global fertilizer industry through both
organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. We are also pleased to become
BASF’s long-term industrial partner on the integrated Antwerp site.”
The fertilizer activities have a total annual capacity of approximately 2.5
million metric tons of fertilizer and account for less than 1% of BASF Group’s
total sales. BASF’s fertilizer operations in Ludwigshafen
are not included in the scope of the divestment.
Fertilizers at BASF’s
headquarters site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, are not included because they
are too important to integration there.
For now, the company
will carve out the business into a new subsidiary. Although the business has
2.5 million metric tons of annual capacity, it represents less than 1% of
BASF sales. Since 2000, K+S Nitrogen has been the sole distributor of BASF
fertilizers.
Kali und Salz
Salzdetfurth AG and Wintershall AG merged their West German potash and rock
salt operations to form a new company called Kali und Salz, under the
umbrella of BASF.
1998:
Kali und Salz GmbH is completely taken over by K+S Beteiligungs AG, BASF
reduces its shareholding to 25.1% 1999:
The company is renamed K+S Aktiengesellschaft. It acquires COMPO and takes
over the marketing and distribution of BASF-fertiva's nitrogenous field
fertilizers. BASF reduces its shareholding to approx. 15%.
2011-03-11
BASF sells shares in K+S
Aktiengesellschaft for approximately €1 billion
BASF SE has successfully placed around 19.7 million shares of K+S
Aktiengesellschaft (representing 10.3% of the company’s share capital) with
institutional investors at a price of €50.00 per share. It was achieved
through an accelerated bookbuilding transaction.
The total proceeds of the transaction amount to approximately €1 billion.
BASF achieved a capital gain before taxes of about €900 million from the
sale.
-----
Mar 28, 2011
BASF Said to Be in Talks
With Orascom on Sale of Fertilizer Businesses
BASF SE is in talks to sell its nitrogen-fertilizer unit to companies
including Orascom Construction Industries, said two people with knowledge of
the situation.
Discussions with Orascom
are at a preliminary stage, said the people, who declined to be identified
because the process is private. The assets include a nitrogen site in
Antwerp, Belgium, and a share of a venture in France, which together
generate about 500 million euros ($702 million) in sales.
We also produce nitrogen based fertilizers and have investments in
infrastructure concessions.
We produce the following nitrogen-based
fertilizers:
- Anhydrous ammonia: 1.15 million tons annually
- Granular urea: 1.3 million tons annually
- Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN): 1.15 million tons annually
- Urea ammonium nitrate (UAN): 0.2 million tons annually
We are also the largest global producer
of Melamine with 0.25 million tons of annual capacity.
By 2012 our capacities will increase to:
- Anhydrous ammonia: 2.2 million tons
annually
- Granular urea: 2.8 million tons annually
- CAN: 1.45 million tons annually
- UAN: 0.525 million tons annually
- Melamine: 0.25 million tons annually
- Methanol: 0.75 million tons annually
-------
EuroChem
controlled by Russian tycoon Andrei Melnichenko
EuroChem is a top ten agrochemical company
globally
No.7 in nitrogen (N) by ammonia
capacity Source: CRU and public filings.
No.8 in phosphates (P) by P2O5
capacity
No.7 by MAP（monoammonium phosphate ）/DAP（di-ammonium phosphate）capacity Source: IFA and public filings.
No.5 in potash (K) by licensed
potash reserves globally Source: EuroChem.
Our primary products are nitrogen and
phosphate fertilizers, with additional income from iron ore concentrate, a
co-product of our apatite mining operations. We plan to begin our own potash
production in late 2013 at the Gremyachinskoe potash deposit. We seek to
achieve vertical integration in our operations, from raw materials to
transportation and retail distribution. Our product portfolio is well
diversified, as are our global sales.
------
2011/9/27 Reuters
BASF's fertilizer sale may trigger K+S deal
BASF's sale of its nitrogen fertilizer plants
to Russia's EuroChem may be a catalyst for more divestments at BASF's
distribution partner K+S (SDFGn.DE), which now has to cooperate with a rival.
BASF, which pioneered the mass production of nitrogen fertilizer in 1913, said
in a statement on Tuesday it plans to complete the transactions with EuroChem,
worth a combined 700 million euros ($943 million) including unspecified debt, by
the first quarter of 2012.
BASF's marketing partner and former subsidiary K+S,
which is bound by an agreement that runs through 2014 to distribute BASF's
fertilizers to farmers, said that it would not rule out a divestment of the
sales and marketing network that BASF has drawn on.
A K+S spokesman said the company would fulfill its marketing contract regardless
of the change of suppliers.
Potash miner K+S has said it would probably sell
its nitrogen fertilizer sales network if a direct
competitor -- which would include EuroChem -- were to buy BASF's plants because
such a buyer was unlikely to need K+S's distribution services.
As part of its bid to focus on salt and potash mining,
K+S in June divested its garden fertilizer and potting soil unit Compo
and has also said that marketing nitrogen fertilizer was not a core business.
"EuroChem has a strong presence in Eastern Europe, they might be interested in
using K+S's sales network to make inroads into Western Europe," said WestLB
analyst Wolfgang Fickus.
"In an ideal scenario for K+S, EuroChem would seek to buy K+S out of its
exclusive distribution agreement with BASF," he said, adding that this would
turn K+S into a pure-play potash and salt miner and boost operating profit
margins by 6 percentage points.
K+S shares were up 3.3 percent at 1400 GMT, underperforming the 5 percent rise
in Germany's benchmark DAX .GDAXI.
EuroChem, which is controlled by Russian tycoon Andrei Melnichenko, said the
deal would boost its European business.
"The acquisition ... is a major milestone in EuroChem's growth strategy to
enhance its exposure to the European market," EuroChem's Chief Executive Dmitry
Strezhnev said in a statement.
Melnichenko had this month said he was eyeing the purchase of a large asset in
Europe soon.
Norwegian nitrogen fertilizer specialist Yara had also
expressed interested in buying BASF's assets.
The businesses that are being sold, with a combined annual capacity of about 2.5
million tonnes of fertilizer, comprise plants in Antwerp, Belgium, and BASF's 50
percent share in its PEC-Rhin joint venture with French company Total.
BASF is keeping some fertilizer production facilities at its Ludwigshaven
headquarters, where fertilizer precursors emerge as a by-product of making other
chemicals.
BASF said in March the assets it was putting on the block accounted for less
than 1 percent of group revenue, which would imply less than 640 million euros
based on 2010 results.
It had announced earlier this year it would sell major parts of its fertilizer
business, which is under pressure from low-cost producers in the Middle East
such as Saudi Basic Industries 2010.SE.
Chemical companies in the region, mainly in Saudi Arabia, are using their cheap
and direct access to natural gas, the feedstock needed for nitrogen, to make
massive inroads into the fertilizer market.
K+S's main business of potash fertilizer is based on mineral mining while the
nitrogen fertilizer industry converts natural gas into fertilizer in a chemical
process. ($1 = 0.742 Euros)
October 11, 2011 BASF
BASF strengthens position in superabsorbent polymers in emerging markets
BASF accompanies growth of customers in emerging markets with local
production sites
New SAP plants in Camaçari, Brazil, and Nanjing, China, with a capacity
of 60,000 metric tons each
Start of production in 2014
BASF is strengthening its position in the superabsorbent polymers (SAP) market
with investments in local production sites in fast growing emerging markets. In
South America, BASF will build a SAP plant in Camaçari,
Brazil with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric
tons.
Production is expected to start in late 2014.
In China, BASF-YPC Company Limited, a 50-50 joint
venture between BASF and Sinopec, plans to start construction of a
60,000-metric-ton SAP plant at its Verbund site in
Nanjing in mid 2012. Commercial production is planned for the beginning of 2014.
“With these two new projects, we will accompany the rapid growth of the emerging
markets in South America and China,” said Gabriel Tanbourgi, President of BASF’s
Care Chemicals division. “Local production allows us to serve our customers more
flexibly and reliably.”
The investments in Brazil and China underline BASF’s long-term commitment to its
customers and the emerging markets.
“Both plants will be built with our latest state-of-the-art technology and have
the advantage that they are planned to be backwards integrated into acrylic
acid,” said Teressa Szelest, Senior Vice President of the Global Business Unit
Hygiene. “This allows the production of our high-quality premium SAP in the
emerging markets as well.” With its innovative superabsorbent polymers BASF
enables customers to set the trends in the markets for diapers, adult
incontinence products and feminine hygiene applications. “Baby diapers
particularly become thinner and thinner,” Szelest said. “With our innovations in
superabsorbent polymers our customers are able to produce these new diaper
generations, “ she added.
As already announced earlier this year, BASF
is conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the technical and economic
viability of constructing an integrated SAP plant in
Kuantan, Malaysia. The study is underway and a decision on any investment
in Kuantan will be made following the conclusion of the study.
Wide range of applications for superabsorbent polymers Superabsorbent polymers
are plastics with the capability to absorb and hold up to 500 times their own
weight in liquid – even under pressure.
The absorption drops to a still impressive figure of 50 times their weight in
salty body fluids such as urine. The product is used in form of a white grainy
powder, mainly to make baby diapers. Other key areas for research and marketing
are adult incontinence and feminine hygiene products. The absorption power of
superabsorbent polymers is also used for moisture control in car seats and food
packaging.
BASF to build an integrated 300,000 metric
tons TDI plant in Ludwigshafen
Project secures BASF’s position as the low-cost TDI producer
80,000 metric tons TDI plant in Schwarzheide planned to be closed
BASF today announced that it will build a single-train
300,000 metric tons per year production plant for
TDI (toluene diisocyanate) and expand additional plants for its
precursors at its site in Ludwigshafen. These include the construction of a new
hydrogen chloride recycling plant as well as the
expansion of plants for nitric acid, chlorine and
synthesis gas. It is also planned to expand the
aromatics complex at the site for the supply of toluene. Total investment
including the required infrastructure at Ludwigshafen site will be about
€1 billion and create around 200 additional jobs. Production will start
at the end of 2014. BASF plans to
close down its 80,000 metric tons per year TDI production plant in Schwarzheide,
Germany, when the new plant goes on stream. TDI is a key component mainly used
for flexible polyurethane foams.
“This project will position us as the low-cost TDI producer in Europe due to
economies of scale and the highly efficient integration into our Verbund,” said
Wayne T. Smith, President of BASF’s Polyurethanes division. “Building our new
TDI plant at our largest Verbund site in Ludwigshafen gives us the advantage of
the excellent production synergies, raw material integration and logistics.
Together with our existing TDI sites in Asia and North America we will be able
to optimally serve customers in all major markets."
“We are constantly developing the Ludwigshafen site further to remain
competitive internationally. In addition to such important investments in
production, this involves modernization and targeted development of the whole
infrastructure,” said Dr. Bernhard Nick, Site Manager of the BASF Ludwigshafen
Verbund site. “The new TDI plant and the related facilities strengthen the
competitiveness of BASF’s largest Verbund site.” Associated investments in
precursors and infrastructure will support additional growth in other BASF value
chains.
At Schwarzheide, BASF will develop its site structures according to the future
needs over the next years to focus more on specialties. With the investment BASF
will have two strong sites in Europe for polyurethane basic products:
Ludwigshafen for the production of TDI and Antwerp for the production of MDI (diphenylmethane
diisocyanate) and propylene oxide.
TDI is a core component for polyurethanes. TDI to a large extent is used in the
automotive industry (e.g. seating cushions and interior applications) as well in
the furniture segment (e.g. flexible foams for mattresses, cushions or wood
coating).
BASF is a leading supplier of basic products for polyurethanes and is currently
operating TDI plants in Geismar, Louisiana; Yeosu, Korea; Caojing, China and
Schwarzheide, Germany.
BASF to concentrate plant biotechnology
activities on main markets in North and South America
BASF Plant Science headquarters to move to Raleigh, North
Carolina
Research activities in North America, Ghent and Berlin to be
strengthened
BASF announced today that it is concentrating its plant biotechnology activities
on the main markets in North and South America. The company will adjust the
portfolio and site footprint of its subsidiary BASF Plant Science to reflect
this change. The headquarters of BASF Plant Science will be moved from
Limburgerhof, Germany, to Raleigh, North Carolina. Research and development
activities will be concentrated mainly in Raleigh, Ghent, Belgium and Berlin,
Germany. Development and commercialization of all products targeted solely at
cultivation in the European market will be halted. Regulatory approval processes
which have already started will be continued.
“We are convinced that plant biotechnology is a key technology for the 21st
century. However, there is still a lack of acceptance for
this technology in many parts of Europe – from the majority of consumers,
farmers and politicians. Therefore, it does not make business sense to continue
investing in products exclusively for cultivation in this market,” said Dr.
Stefan Marcinowski, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF,
responsible for plant biotechnology. “We will therefore concentrate on the
attractive markets for plant biotechnology in North and
South America and the growth markets in Asia.”
New site footprint
Research Triangle Park near Raleigh, North Carolina, will become the new
headquarters for BASF’s activities in the area of plant biotechnology. It is
planned that the current headquarters site in Limburgerhof, Germany, will retain
11 positions in some functions such as regulatory for Europe. The activities of
BASF's Crop Protection division in Limburgerhof are not affected.
Currently 157 employees work for BASF Plant Science in Limburgerhof. The company
plans to close its sites in Gatersleben, Germany, and in Svalöv, Sweden.
Currently 57 people work in Gatersleben and six in Sweden. In total, it is
planned to transfer 123 positions from Limburgerhof and Gatersleben to other
BASF Plant Science sites, mainly Raleigh, and to reduce 78 positions over the
next two years. Overall, this means that BASF is reducing 140 positions in
Europe. BASF aims to offer the affected employees other positions within the
BASF Group wherever possible. Consultations with the responsible employee
representatives will start immediately. “Our employees have done excellent work
over the past years. We regret that we are losing these high-quality jobs in
Germany and Sweden,” said Marcinowski.
The company’s research facilities at metanomics in Berlin and CropDesign in
Ghent will be strengthened. “Although the conditions for cultivation of
genetically modified crops in Europe are unfavorable, there are world-class
research institutes and universities in both Berlin and Ghent,” explained Dr.
Peter Eckes, President of BASF Plant Science. “We have excellent scientists and
facilities there and at our research sites in North America. We will continue
our industry-leading research at these locations in order to further build an
attractive gene discovery platform and strengthen our position as the Trait
Technology Partner.”
Attractive product pipeline and promising partnerships
BASF Plant Science will halt the development and commercialization of all
products that are targeted solely for cultivation in the European markets. These
include genetically modified starch potatoes (Amflora, Amadea and Modena), a
potato resistant to the disease late blight called Fortuna as well as a late
blight resistant starch potato and a wheat variety resistant to fungal disease.
To maintain all options for the potato products, BASF Plant Science will
continue the regulatory approval processes for the products already started.
BASF Plant Science’s product pipeline will continue its strong focus on the
yield and stress projects in which crops are developed with higher yields and
improved resistance to stress conditions like drought. This includes the
collaboration with Monsanto for corn, soy, cotton, canola and wheat. At the end
of 2011, the first product from this partnership, drought-tolerant corn, was
approved for cultivation in the United States. Cultivance® soybeans, developed
together with Embrapa, were approved for cultivation in Brazil at the end of
2009, and the approval process for key export markets is ongoing.
2011-10-31
BASF applies for European approval for
Fortuna, a disease-resistant table potato
mproved sustainability of
potato cultivation
I
High-yield potato defends
itself from late blight disease with the resistance mechanism of a
wild potato
BASF Plant Science
applied today for EU approval for Fortuna, a genetically optimized table
potato. Fortuna has a wild potato’s natural protection to late blight, a
disease causing severe problems in agriculture. The application for approval
covers commercial cultivation as well as use as food and feed within the EU.
In the next step of the approval process, the European Food Safety Authority
(EFSA) will assess the safety of Fortuna for humans, animals and the
environment.
BASF, Shell in Talks to Settle $653 Million Brazil Contamination Penalty
BASF SE, the world’s biggest chemical maker, is in talks with Royal Dutch Shell
Plc to determine who should pay a 490 million-euro ($653 million) fine for
contamination in Brazil.
The site in Paulinia was “significantly”
contaminated by the production of crop protection products, and BASF and Shell
were jointly ordered in August 2010 to pay damages to former employees for
medical treatment and personal suffering, BASF said in its 2011 annual report.
BASF said its Brazilian unit filed a lawsuit against Shell on March 30, asking a
court to declare that Shell is responsible for the full amount of the damages
resulting from the contamination at Paulinia. The two companies are in
settlement talks, Ludwigshafen, Germany-based BASF said.
The Paulinia unit was built by Shell, sold to Cyanamid in 1995 and then acquired
by BASF in 2000, the German company said in its annual report. The contamination
stems from the period before 2000, BASF said.
Jennifer Moore-Braun, a spokeswoman for BASF, declined to comment beyond what is
in the annual report. Spokesmen for Shell didn’t immediately return calls
seeking comment.
The suit against Shell was reported today in German newspaper Financial Times
Deutschland.
BASF S.A., Brazil, and Shell are
defendants in several individual lawsuits and one class action lawsuit
regarding existing and potential health damage to former employees
(including employees of external companies), their families and descendants
due to their employment at a site in Paulinia, Brazil, which was
significantly contaminated by the production of crop protection products.
BASF acquired the site from American Cyanamid in 2000, who had in turn
acquired it from Shell in 1995. The contamination stems from the period
before 2000.
In August 2010, BASF S.A. and Shell were jointly ordered to pay damages for
medical treatment and personal suffering equivalent to approximately
€490 million, not including interest.
The appeal against this first-instance judgment was rejected on April 4,
2011.
BASF S.A. has applied for the right to appeal to a higher court.
On March 30, 2011, BASF S.A. brought a suit for a declaratory judgment
against Shell to determine that Shell is responsible for the full amount of
damages resulting from the contamination at the Paulinia site, which had
been caused by Shell. Currently BASF S.A. and Shell are in settlement talks
with one another and with the plaintiffs.
2012-04-11 BASF
BASF to invest in new chemical production
site in Dahej, India
€150 million investment to include production facilities for
polyurethanes, polymer dispersions and care chemicals
Supports growth of crucial local industries
Start of production planned for 2014
BASF India Limited will invest €150 million to set
up a new chemical production site at the Dahej Petroleum,
Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), located on the
west coast of India in Gujarat.
The new site will be an integrated hub for polyurethane
manufacturing and will also house production
facilities for care chemicals and polymer dispersions for coatings and paper.
With this new production site, BASF aims to ensure local supply for growing
markets and industries such as appliances, footwear, automotive, construction,
adhesives, architectural coatings, paper and personal care. The start of
production is planned for 2014.
“With its robust local industries, India is set to become a pillar of growth in
Asia Pacific. The country’s changing demographic profile and the resulting need
for improved quality of life are driving increasing market demand. With the new
manufacturing facility, we will be able to serve our customers better by
developing solutions that meet their individual needs as well as strengthen
their competitive advantage,” said Dr. Martin Brudermueller, Vice Chairman of
the Board of Directors of BASF SE, responsible for Asia Pacific.
“The Dahej site complements the existing manufacturing set-up of BASF in India
and will support and contribute to the growth of the Indian chemical industry,”
said Mr. Prasad Chandran, Chairman and Managing Director, BASF India Limited.
“The location offers excellent investment conditions and a favorable business
environment due to the proximity to raw materials as well as customers. With
this new project, we expect to grow our businesses in the important northern and
western regions of India”, he added.
The site will employ more than 250 people at full capacity, primarily in
operations. With shared infrastructure and state-of-the-art production systems,
the site will also provide resource efficient BASF technologies for the
conservation of energy and water. The site’s advanced design takes advantage of
the latest technologies from BASF facilities around the world and ensures safe
and responsible operations.
The integrated polyurethane facility will produce Elastollan® TPU (Thermoplastic
Polyurethane), Cellasto® NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) parts and
Polyurethane Systems, which is supported by new production facilities for
important precursors, comprising Polyetherols and
Polyesterols plants as well as a plant for processing crude MDI (diphenylmethane
diisocyanate). ポリエーテルオール(polyetherol)、ポリエステルオール(polyesterol)
The care chemicals facility at the new Dahej site will produce
surfactants largely for home and personal care.
These surfactants will also add value to formulation technology applications
including agrochemicals, textiles and emulsion polymerisation. With BASF’s
global growth strategy for its care chemicals business, the Dahej site adds to
BASF’s production footprint in one of the fastest growing emerging markets.
The polymer dispersions facility at the site will
produce Acronal® and Styrofan®, key ingredients for architectural coatings,
adhesives, and construction, Styronal® and Basonal® for paper coating and
Basoplast® for sizing. BASF currently produces dispersions at an existing plant
in Mangalore.
受注概要
客先 BASFインディア社 （BASF India Limited）
受注者 Toyo-India （Toyo Engineering India Limited）
建設地 インド、グジャラート州ダヘジ
対象設備 ポリウレタン製造設備、界面活性剤製造設備、特殊ポリマー製造設備
役務内容 設計・調達・建設までの一括請負
完成予定 2014年
2012/5/7 rdmag.com
BASF purchases polyamide polymer business from Mazzaferro
BASF has declared the purchase of the Mazzaferro Group's
polyamide (PA) polymer business based in Brazil.
Through this acquisition, the position of BASF has been strengthened with
respect to polyamide polymers and engineering plastics in South America.
The acquisition includes the production plants and locations for the engineering
plastics compounds and PA 6 product range at São Bernardo do Campo. The capacity
of the polymerization facility is approximately 20,000 t
annually.
Mazzaferro’s businesses based on household products, fishing equipment, and
monofilaments are not included in the acquisition and Mazzaferro will continue
its operations at the productions sites located in São Paulo and Diadema. The
acquired business by BASF will be integrated along with its polyamide polymer
and engineering plastics business.
The President of BASF's Performance Polymers division, Dr. Wolfgang Hapke stated
that this purchase strengthens BASF's position in the developing countries. The
company will increase the production, based on the customer demands. There is a
strong demand in Brazil for polyamide in the extrusion and automotive industry.
The new location enables BASF to provide locally manufactured products to South
American customers, he stated.
The engineering plastics division of BASF has included Ultradur (PBT), Ultraform
(POM), Ultramid (PA), and Ultrason (PSU, PESU, PPSU). The engineering plastic
Ultramid is polyamide-compounded, which is derived from base polyamide. The
materials are mainly utilized in electrical and automotive applications.
2012-05-04 BASF
BASF to build new formic acid plant in the
USA
Reinforcement of BASF’s leading position
in formic acid
The only formic acid production in North America
Serving markets in North and South America
BASF announced today its plans to build a
world scale production plant for formic acid ギ酸 at
its integrated “Verbund” site in Geismar, Louisiana.
The new plant will create 20 new jobs and have an annual capacity of more than
50,000 tons. It will be the
only formic acid production plant in North America and will allow BASF to
better serve strategic markets in North and South America including applications
for pharmaceuticals, energy, animal nutrition, leather and cleaning products.
Start-up of the new plant is expected in the 2nd quarter 2014. BASF currently
operates two formic acid production plants located at the company’s integrated
Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and
Nanjing, China(50千トン), with a total annual capacity
of more than 255,000 tons.
BASF’s customers use formic acid as an eco-friendly solution in a wide range of
applications such as in animal feed where it provides protection of the feed and
supports the health of the animal itself. Potassium formate, a salt of formic
acid, is an environmentally friendly and highly efficient de-icing agent used on
roads and airport runways. It is easily biodegradable thereby protecting aquatic
wildlife in nearby rivers and watersheds. Both formic acid and potassium formate
are used in the oil field industry as part of the drilling and completion
process, as well as in shale gas exploration to promote extraction. Formic acid
is an excellent de-scaling agent as well, and is used in industrial cleaning to
remove mineral deposits from desalination plants, refineries and other
processing industries.
“The new plant further strengthens our position as a leading supplier of
chemistry for sustainable solutions”, said Dr. Hans Engel, Member of the Board
of Executive Directors of BASF SE, Chief Financial Officer, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of BASF Corporation, made the announcement during a press
conference at BASF’s new regional headquarters building in Florham Park, N.J.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to the increasing market demand in
North and South America driven by current and new applications of the versatile
formic acid. We will be able to serve our customers better with shorter lead
times and greater supply reliability. It also reinforces BASF’s global leading
position in formic acid with production in Europe, North America and Asia”, said
Soeren Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President of BASF’s Intermediates division.
In line with the company’s “We create chemistry” strategy, BASF focuses on
sustainable products such as formic acid, which not only has an excellent
eco-profile in its applications, but also in its production as part of the
company’s Verbund concept. This concept is one of BASF’s greatest strengths,
linking production and energy requirements in an efficient manner. BASF’s
Geismar production site incorporates the Verbund concept and allows BASF to
maximize production efficiencies of formic acid while helping to protect the
environment by reducing waste and cutting emissions, and keeping resource
consumption and transportation to a minimum.
2012-06-28 BASF
BASF and Oleon celebrate grand opening of
propylene glycol production plant
World’s first plant of its type started up in Ertvelde, Belgium
Unique manufacturing process using sustainable by-products to produce PG
The oleochemical company Oleon has started up a new manufacturing plant for
producing bio propylene glycol (PG)
from glycerin in Ertvelde, Belgium.
The plant is the first of its type worldwide, leveraging a highly sustainable
production process developed and licensed by BASF
and jointly realized with Oleon. A grand opening celebration was held at the
plant on Thursday, June 28, attracting more than 120 attendees, including local
and regional government officials, BASF and Oleon leaders and Ertvelde site
employees.
Historically, PG has been produced by means of hydrolysis from propylene oxide,
which is obtained from crude oil. The starting material employed at the Ertvelde
site is glycerin, primarily obtained from fats and oils generated as by-products
of oleochemical production. As an additional benefit, the glycerin-based process
used at the Ertvelde site requires fewer production steps than hydrolysis,
increasing the efficiency of Oleon’s bio PG production.
BASF not only researched the glycerin-based production technology it realized
with Oleon, but also supplies the chemical catalysts that are key enablers for
the advanced bio PG production process.
“We’re proud to have worked with Oleon to bring this innovative production
technology to market,” said Michael Baier, Vice President, Process Catalysts &
Technologies with BASF’s Catalysts division. “Moving forward, using glycerin as
a starting substance, bio PG production is possible in a far more sustainable
way. This is a perfect example of how BASF creates chemistry for a sustainable
future.”
PG is a versatile alcohol contained in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, as
well as solvents and plasticizers.
“We do what others talk about,” said Chris Depreeuw, Managing Director of Oleon
in Ertvelde. “Everybody is talking about bio and green chemistry, Oleon is
already implementing new innovative technology. Thanks to the strong
collaboration with BASF, we were able to realize a new process to produce
propylene glycol in Ertvelde from a renewable source.”
About Oleon
Oleon is the leading oleochemical company in Europe. Oleon employs 700 people
and its sales exceed 600 million euros. Oleon has branches in Flanders (Ertvelde
and Oelegem), Germany, Norway, France and Malaysia. Since 2009 Oleon has been
part of the Sofiprotéol group, the financial-industrial arm of the French
vegetable oils and proteins industry.
2012-07-04 BASF
BASF to build butadiene extraction plant in
Antwerp
Securing BASF´s internal supply with
butadiene in Europe
Taking advantage of opportunities on the external market
Strengthening Verbund production at Antwerp site
Startup planned for 2014
BASF plans to build a butadiene extraction
plant at its Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. The
plant will have an annual production capacity of 155,000
metric tons and is scheduled to start up during
2014. The investment amount will be in the high double-digit million euro
range.
The decision has been made in light of the increasingly
tight supplies of butadiene on global markets. In recent years, the
volumes of butadiene available on the market have declined sharply. At the same
time, demand from the tire industry and other industries has been rising. This
has led to a considerable increase in prices.
“With the plant, we will secure our supply of butadiene at a competitive cost,”
said Dr. Uwe Kirchgäßner, head of BASF’s regional business unit Basic
Petrochemicals Europe. “Furthermore, we will take advantage of opportunities on
the attractive external market and thereby contribute to our long-term economic
success,” Kirchgäßner added.
The butadiene will be extracted from crude C4, a product from the steam cracker.
“This plant strengthens our Verbund production in Antwerp and is a very
important investment at the site,” said Wouter de Geest, CEO of BASF Antwerpen
NV. “By improving the integration of the C4 value chain, we will also be able to
reduce the need for logistics as well as traffic,” added de Geest. Through the
investment about 15 to 20 jobs will be created.
In Europe, BASF already operates a butadiene extraction plant at its Verbund
site in Ludwigshafen, Germany, with an annual
production capacity of 105,000 metric tons.
Butadiene is a raw material that can be used to produce synthetic rubber, among
other applications. The tire industry is one of the main consumers of butadiene.
Other applications for butadiene include paper chemicals and plastics
production.
2012-08-17 BASF
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes target commercial
bio-based acrylic acid process
Joint R&D cooperation to develop an
industrial biotechnology-based production process for acrylic acid from
renewable raw materials
Key raw material for the production of bio-based superabsorbents for baby
diapers
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes have signed an
agreement to develop technologies to produce acrylic acid from renewable raw
materials.
Presently, acrylic acid is produced by the oxidation of propylene derived from
the refining of crude oil. BASF – The Chemical Company, Cargill and industrial
biotechnology company Novozymes will develop bio-based technologies to produce
acrylic acid from renewable feedstocks.
“The cooperation combines BASF’s global market strength and innovation power
with the excellent know-how and competencies of Novozymes and Cargill who are
global leaders in their respective industry segments. Together we are uniquely
positioned to more sustainably meet market and society needs”, said Michael
Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.
New milestone towards commercialization
Novozymes and Cargill have collaborated on renewable acrylic acid technology
since 2008. Both companies have worked to develop microorganisms that can
efficiently convert renewable feedstock into 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP),
which is one possible chemical precursor to acrylic acid.
BASF has now joined the collaboration to
develop the process for conversion of 3-HP into acrylic acid. BASF is the
world´s largest producer of acrylic acid and has substantial capabilities in its
production and downstream processing. The company plans initially to use the
bio-based acrylic acid to manufacture superabsorbent polymers.
In the process to be developed by
Novozymes and Cargill, will be converted to 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HPA)
by . This conversion is a multi-step enzymatic reaction within the cells of
the micro-organism. 3HPA from the fermentation can then be recovered and
transformed into chemical derivatives, such as acrylic acid.
The three companies bring complementary
knowledge to the project. Novozymes, the world-leader in industrial enzymes, has
years of experience with developing technologies for bio-based production of
chemicals used in plastics, ingredients, etc.
“BASF and Cargill are global leaders in their industries and we are very excited
to partner with them,” says Novozymes CEO Steen Riisgaard. “By offering
bio-based alternatives to fossil-based products we will take a big step towards
a more sustainable economy.”
“Cargill is pleased to bring its global expertise in sourcing renewable
feedstocks and large-scale fermentation to this collaborative project”, said
Chris Mallett, Cargill Corporate Vice President of research and development.
“The work with BASF and Novozymes underscores our commitment to developing
innovative new technologies that help our customers meet their business
objectives.”
Acrylic acid is a high-volume chemical that feeds into a broad range of
products. One of the main applications is in the manufacture of superabsorbent
polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid and are used mainly in baby
diapers and other hygiene products. Acrylic acid is also used in adhesive raw
materials and coatings. The annual global market volume of acrylic acid is
around 4.5 million tons with a value of $11 billion1 at the end of 2011. The
market has been growing at a rate of 4 percent per year.
About Novozymes
Novozymes is the world leader in bioinnovation. Together with customers across a
broad array of industries Novozymes creates tomorrow’s industrial biosolutions,
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2012/9/5 .equities.com
United States :
BASF and Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA Inc agree to change JV name
BASF
Corporation has entered into an agreement with Total Petrochemicals & Refining
USA, Inc. for the merger of two joint ventures and to change the name of
the merged venture to BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals LLC
for the companies' Port Arthur, Texas, joint operations.
Heidi Alderman, Senior Vice President of BASF's North American Petrochemicals
Business said, "This structure change was done to simplify the joint venture
operations into one legal entity that reflected the current ownership of the
facility. BASF and TPRI remain strongly committed to the Port Arthur facility
and will invest significant capital in the site over the next few years."
In
this joint venture 60% ownership is retain by BASF and 40% by TPRI.
One of the world's largest C4 complexes is operated
by a tri-venture named Sabina Petrochemicals LLC between Shell, BASF and TPRI at
the Port Arthur site. BASF and TPRI were the alone members with the same
ownership shares (60 percent and 40 percent), when Shell exited the venture on
August 1, 2011.
Geoffroy Petit, Vice President, Refining and Base Chemicals for Total
Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc., "The new name reflects the strong
partnership between TPRI and BASF as well as reinforces the commitment to
strengthen the synergies between the two facilities."
BASF
Corporation and Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc. formed the joint
venture BASF TOTAL Petrochemicals LLC, which have Port Arthur facility that runs
one of the largest steam crackers in the world,
turning naphtha and light hydrocarbons into ethylene, propylene and other
chemical raw materials.
2012-09-18 BASF
BASF
focuses global EPS business on strategic markets
Closure of Styropor® plants in Malaysia and India
Preparation of strategic measures for Styropor® business in South America
Strong market potential for Neopor® with improved insulation properties
In
light of high overcapacities and low margins in some regions, BASF is focusing
its global Styropor® (EPS: expandable polystyrene) activities on strategic
markets and core products with better profitability.
“These measures are part of BASF’s global strategy to foster value-oriented
growth and will ensure that we remain competitive in markets where we add
long-term value both to our customers’ businesses and to BASF,” said Wolfgang
Hapke, president of BASF’s Performance Polymers Division.
BASF will shut down the Styropor® plants at its
sites in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia and
Thane, India. The plan is to stop production by the
end of the year. Currently a total of 60 and 55 employees work with EPS at Pasir
Gudang and Thane, respectively. The combined annual EPS production capacity of
the two plants is more than 100,000 metric tons. BASF will work with employees
affected by the shutdowns to find the right transition plan.
“The closure of BASF’s Styropor® plants in Malaysia and India has become
inevitable due to the high EPS overcapacities in Asia
Pacific that have developed in recent years. These overcapacities have
led to extremely low margins which make our operations in India and Malaysia
uneconomic,” explained Giorgio Greening, Head of the Global Business Unit Foams.
In South America, BASF is preparing strategic steps. BASF has started the
preparation of a carve-out of the Styropor® business and production at its sites
in Argentina and Brazil.
In Chile, BASF is evaluating strategic options for the EPS business and is
preparing a divestment of Aislapol, BASF’s
EPS foam parts producer. The Styropor® business in South America has
around 80 employees and an annual production capacity of 83,500 metric tons.
Aislapol has around 175 employees.
“Globally, we are focusing our EPS investments on Neopor®.
The carve-out of the Styropor® business in Brazil and Argentina will help us to
be flexible with regards to future strategic options. For the Styropor® business
in Chile the strategic evaluation is still underway. For Aislapol the best
option is to find a strategic investor who is committed to the EPS foaming
business,” Greening added.
Due
to its properties as packaging material and its cost-efficient insulation
performance, EPS is a product that has been widely accepted in various
applications for several decades and still is enjoying growth rates similar to
that of GDP.
BASF will focus its global Styropor® activities on core markets and will further
push the growth with Neopor®, the silver-gray colored product with improved
insulation properties, enhanced by its graphite content. It contributes
significantly to energy efficiency in buildings and houses while reducing CO2
emissions. Neopor®, which is produced at BASF sites in South Korea and Germany,
plays a key role in BASF’s strategy to focus on profitable markets and products.
2012-10-12 BASF
BASF
to acquire parts of Ciech’s TDI business
BASF
and Ciech today announced the acquisition of parts of
Ciech’s global TDI (toluene diisocyanate) business by BASF. The
acquisition is subject to approval by the appropriate antitrust authorities.
Closing of the transaction is expected in the first quarter of 2013. Financial
terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The agreement involves parts of Ciech’s worldwide TDI business. Production
facility of Ciech’s subsidiary Zachem, Poland, is not part of the transaction.
Ciech and BASF will cooperate closely to facilitate an effective transition of
supply agreements and support services for Ciech’s TDI customers.
“This acquisition underlines our strong commitment to the TDI markets in Europe,
the Middle East, Africa and worldwide”, said Raimar Jahn, President of BASF’s
Polyurethanes division. “We are looking forward to establishing a successful
partnership with Ciech’s customers.” BASF’s strong commitment to the TDI
business is also illustrated by the construction of the world’s largest
single-train TDI plant in Ludwigshafen.
Dariusz Krawczyk, President of the Management Board of Ciech, added: “We are
confident that with BASF we have found the ideal purchaser of our TDI business.
Our customers will benefit from BASF’s broad knowledge and experience in the
polyurethanes market and its strong global set-up.”
TDI is a key component for the polyurethanes industry. To a large extent it is
used in the furniture segment (e.g. flexible foams for mattresses, cushions or
wood coating) as well as in the automotive industry (e.g. seating cushions and
interior applications).
BASF is a leading supplier of basic products for polyurethanes and operates TDI
plants in Geismar, Louisiana; Yeosu, Korea; Caojing, China; Schwarzheide,
Germany; and as of 2014 in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
About Ciech
The Ciech Chemical Group is one of the leaders of the European chemical market.
It consists of eight production entities and service companies. The Group has a
well-developed production structure and business network in Poland, Europe and
Asia. The main Group’s products include soda ash, baking soda, salt,
fertilizers, plant protection chemicals, epoxy and polyester resins and other
organic chemical products used in the glassmaking, furniture, chemical,
construction and agricultural industries. With annual revenues of approximately
PLN 4 billion, the Ciech Chemical Group is among the 50 largest Polish
enterprises.
Since February 2005 Ciech SA has been listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The
largest shareholders of the company include the State Treasury (38.7% of stocks
and votes on General Meeting) and Pioneer Pekao Investment Management SA, and
Open-End Pension Fund PZU “Złota Jesień”, ING Open-End Pension Fund. More
information at www.ciech.com.
2012-10-22 BASF
BASF
subsidiary Wintershall and Statoil agree on asset swap
BASF Group company Wintershall is substantially expanding its production and
reserves of oil and gas in the North Sea. Through an asset swap, Wintershall
will receive from the Norwegian Statoil ASA shares
in the three producing fields Brage (32.7 percent), Gjøa (15 percent) and Vega
(30 percent), containing reserves (2P) of around 100 million barrels of oil
equivalent (boe). In addition, it is the joint intention of the companies that
Wintershall takes over the operatorship of Brage, its first large production
platform offshore Norway, subject to the agreement of the authorities and
partners. A respective agreement was signed by Statoil and Wintershall today in
Stavanger, Norway.
Through the transaction, Wintershall Norge will raise its daily production from
currently around 3,000 boe to almost 40,000 boe per day next year. In return,
Statoil will receive a 15-percent share in the development project Edvard Grieg
from Wintershall and financial compensation of US$1.35 billion. An additional
payment of up to US$100 million will be paid contingent on the successful future
development of the Vega field.
“Through the cooperation with Statoil, we are taking a big step forward in
realizing our growth strategy in Oil & Gas and expanding our activities at the
source. This enables Wintershall to become one of the leading producers in
Norway and balances its global portfolio even more effectively,” said Dr. Kurt
Bock, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.
“With our ambition to become the new operator of Brage, we are making headway in
expanding Wintershall-operated production in Norway. We want to be active on the
shelf in the long-term, establish ourselves as a partner – and take on
responsibility,” explained Rainer Seele, Chairman of the Board of Executive
Directors of Wintershall. Wintershall has positioned itself successfully in
Norway as an integrated exploration and production company following the
acquisition of Revus Energy in 2008. With more than 40 licenses, the company is
already one of the largest license holders in Norway.
“The Norwegian continental shelf is a world class oil and gas region. Statoil is
the largest operator with 48 developed fields and a strong exploration
portfolio. We have made four major discoveries on the NCS over the past 19
months, and we continue to increase the oil recovery from mature fields. Today’s
transaction frees up resources for Statoil to continue driving high value
growth. We are also pleased to enter a strategic partnership with Wintershall to
develop new insights and technologies for increased value creation,” said Helge
Lund, President and CEO of Statoil.
In addition, the companies have agreed to cooperate in research activities to
increase production from oil fields through Enhance Oil Recovery (EOR) and to
examine the offshore application of the innovative technology “Schizophyllan”
being developed by Wintershall and BASF. Wintershall and Statoil also agreed to
conduct research together into unconventional resources in Germany and
internationally. Accordingly Statoil is to receive a 49 percent share in the
Wintershall concessions “Rheinland” and “Ruhr” in Germany.
2012/11/12 AP
BASF
to Build New Plant in Freeport, Texas to Manufacture Emulsion Polymers
BASF announced its plans to build a new production plant for
emulsion polymers at its integrated "Verbund" site
in Freeport, Texas. The new plant will allow BASF to better serve the coatings,
construction, adhesives, and paper industries by expanding the network of
manufacturing locations and improve the backward integration of raw materials
used in production.
The new plant, which is expected to begin production in mid-2014, will create
approximately 25 new jobs at the Freeport site.
"The new plant strengthens our position as a leading supplier of emulsions in
North America and demonstrates our commitment to customers in the coatings,
construction, adhesives and paper industries," said Derek Fairclough, Senior
Vice President, Dispersions & Pigments, for BASF in North America. "This
investment further supports our business growth strategy, especially in
architectural coatings, where we are targeting significant growth with our range
of innovative products and solutions."
The plant will manufacture acrylic emulsion polymers
used for architectural coatings, construction chemicals, adhesives, and
the paper chemicals industry.
"This investment demonstrates BASF's commitment to the regional market demand by
paper and board manufacturers for these materials and supports our global
strategy to be the preferred supplier of polymer emulsions for the coated paper
and board markets," said Chuck Schmidt, Senior Vice President, Paper Chemicals,
for BASF in North America.
BASF currently operates three emulsion polymer plants in North America in
Monaca, Pennsylvania;
Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Altamira, Mexico.
Building a plant in Texas broadens the supply network to better serve all BASF
customers from a manufacturing location in the central-southern United States.
In addition to this investment, BASF is building new manufacturing facilities
for emulsion polymers in India and the company also opened new plants in South
Africa in September 2012 and in China in November 2012.
The Verbund concept is one of BASF's greatest strengths, linking production and
energy requirements in an efficient manner. BASF's Freeport, Texas production
site incorporates the Verbund concept and allows BASF to maximize the production
efficiencies of acrylic dispersions while helping to protect the environment and
surrounding communities by reducing waste, cutting emissions, and keeping
resource consumption and transportation to a minimum.
2012-11-21 BASF
BASF
announces cash offer to acquire Pronova BioPharma
BASF to achieve leading position in omega-3 fatty acids
Cash offer of NOK 12.50 per share
Offer unanimously recommended by Pronova’s Board of Directors and management
Pre-acceptance by approximately 60% of share capital
BASF
plans to acquire Pronova BioPharma ASA, Lysaker, Norway, a pioneer in the field
of research, development, and manufacturing of omega-3
fatty acids. BASF has reached an agreement with Pronova to make a
recommended voluntary public takeover offer to Pronova’s shareholders, and will
offer to pay NOK 12.50 in cash for each Pronova share. The Board of Directors of
Pronova and the management unanimously support BASF’s offer and recommend its
acceptance.
In addition, BASF has obtained irrevocable pre-acceptance commitments for
approximately 60% of Pronova’s share capital; including the 50.0% stake held by
majority shareholders Herkules Private Equity Fund (held through its funds
Herkules Private Equity (Jersey-I) L.P. and Herkules Private Equity (Jersey-II)
L.P.), an approximately 9.1% stake indirectly controlled by investment firms
Kistefos AS and Kistefos Investment AS and 0.3% held by members of the Board of
Directors and management of Pronova.
The offer corresponds to a premium of 24% above the volume-weighted average
share price for Pronova’s shares in the six months prior to announcement of the
public takeover offer. Based on all outstanding shares and including all net
financial liabilities, the enterprise value would be NOK 4,845 million
(approximately €664 million).
“The intended acquisition will significantly strengthen our position in the fast
growing and highly profitable market for omega-3 fatty acids. We want to combine
the global market reach and experience of BASF with the know-how of Pronova in
omega-3 fatty acids,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive
Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Performance Products segment, which
includes the Nutrition & Health division.
Highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids are a globally growing market, driven by
an increasing consumer awareness of omega-3 fatty acids health benefits. With
the acquisition of Pronova BASF will immediately achieve a leading position in
the global market for omega-3 fatty acids. Pronova’s active pharmaceutical
ingredients are used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as post-myocardial
infarction. In nutritional applications, including dietary supplements, there is
a strong body of evidence supporting a broad range of positive health benefits
through omega-3 fatty acids, for example, in the areas of cognitive development
or heart health.
The acquisition will be financed by way of available resources of BASF. The
offer will be made by BASF’s wholly-owned subsidiary BASF AS in Norway and will
be subject to certain conditions, including inter alia that shareholders shall
in the aggregate have accepted the offer for a number of shares representing
more than 90% of the total share capital of Pronova, and the same amount of
votes which can be exercised in the general meeting of Pronova and that there
shall have been no occurrence of a material adverse change. The offer will also
be subject to approval by the relevant merger control authorities. The complete
details of the offer, including all terms and conditions, will be included in an
offer document complying with the requirements of the Norwegian Securities
Trading Act, which is expected to be sent to Pronova’s shareholders on or about
December 5, 2012. BASF expects to finalize the transaction in the first quarter
of 2013.
BASF confirms its offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Pronova BioPharma ASA, Lysaker, Norway,, and is increasing its
cash offer price to NOK 13.50 per share (previously
NOK 12.50). The offer period expires at 16:30 CET on January 18, 2013
and will not be extended.
The increased offer corresponds to a premium of 34% above the
volume-weighted average share price for Pronova’s shares in the six months
prior to announcement of the public takeover offer. Based on all outstanding
shares and including all net financial liabilities, the enterprise value
would be NOK 4,996 million (approximately €684 million).
“We thank all those shareholders of Pronova who have accepted the offer to
date. Following a comprehensive due diligence review and taking into account
the opportunities and foreseeable risks in Pronova’s business this increased
offer is our last, best and final offer,” said Michael Heinz, member of the
Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible for the Performance
Products segment, which includes the Nutrition & Health division. “We
believe that our offer represents the full and fair value to all
shareholders and that it provides the best solution for Pronova’s
stakeholders.”
2013-01-22 BASF
BASF
and Sinopec take next steps in establishment of world-scale isononanol plant in
Maoming, China
Start of production expected in 2015
China’s first INA plant provides important feedstock for next-generation
plasticizers
BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (“Sinopec”) have completed a
joint feasibility study and taken the next steps in the establishment of a
world-scale isononanol (INA：イソノナノール、イソノニルアルコール)
plant in Maoming, Guangdong, China. Under the terms
of the feasibility study, a new 50-50 joint venture
will be formed, BASF MPCC Co. Ltd. Pre-approval has
been received from the Maoming Administration of Industry and Commerce for the
name of the venture. The partners expect to begin production at the new plant
around the middle of 2015.
The full integration of the new INA plant into the existing petrochemical site
of MPCC茂名石化 in Maoming will allow for a comprehensive system
for managing energy as well as minimizing water use, emissions, and waste. The
approval process has begun for the environmental impact assessment.
“The completion of the joint feasibility study marks an important milestone for
our INA business, helping us serve the increasing demand for next-generation
plasticizers in China. Integration into the MPCC operations also allows for a
very competitive feedstock supply,” said Dr. Albert Heuser, President, Asia
Pacific, BASF.
INA is used as feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers,
including diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate
plasticizer Hexamoll® DINCH®.
BASF and Sinopec jointly operate BASF-YPC Co. Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture
between BASF and Sinopec in Nanjing, China. As one of China's largest
petrochemical joint ventures, it produces a wide range of high quality chemicals
for the rapidly growing Chinese market.
2013-03-05 BASF
BASF and Markor plan to establish two joint
ventures for butanediol and polytetrahydrofuran in China
Local production to support
customers in the Chinese market
Markor is the leading butanediol producer in China
BASF is the globally leading producer of butanediol and polytetrahydrofuran
BASF and Xinjiang Markor
Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Markor:新疆美克化工) plan to establish two joint ventures
for the production of butanediol (BDO) and
polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF®, chemical name: polytetramethylene ether glycol)in
Korla庫爾勒市,
Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Northwest China.The
joint venture agreements have already been signed but are subject to further
closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
The
joint venture companies intend to build a plant for the production of
BDO and one for PolyTHF
which are planned to go on stream in 2015. The annual capacities of the plants
located in Korla will be 100,000 tons of BDO and 50,000
tons of PolyTHF.
“Based on our globally
leading PolyTHF technology and the strong local presence of Markor in China, we
are aiming to expand our local production capacity in order to support our
customers in the Chinese market with high quality products,” said Dr. Guido Voit,
Senior Vice President, responsible for the region Asia Pacific within BASF’s
Intermediates division.
“We are glad to partner with BASF, who provides its
state-of-the-art PolyTHF technology to the joint ventures. Thanks to our
integrated value chain, we can achieve great synergies, enabling us to serve our
customers better. We look forward to working with BASF to further expand our
joint business in China,” said Mr. He Xiaorong, Vice President of Markor Group.
PolyTHF is primarily used
to make elastic spandex fibers for a large variety of textiles, including
underwear, outerwear, sportswear and swimsuits. It also serves as a chemical
building block for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) used to make hoses, films
and cable sheathing. Other applications include thermoplastic polyetheresters,
polyetheramides and cast elastomers for the production of for example wheels for
skateboards and inline skates. BDO is used in the manufacturing of technical
plastics, polyurethanes, solvents, electronic chemicals and elastic fibres.
BASF produces
PolyTHF with an annual capacity of 250,000 tons at
its sites in Geismar, Louisiana, USA; Ludwigshafen, Germany; Ulsan, Korea and
Shanghai, Caojing, China. BASF produces BDO with an annual
capacity of 535,000 tons at its sites in Geismar; Ludwigshafen; Caojing;
Chiba, Japan and Kuantan, Malaysia.
Markor currently produces
BDO with an annual capacity of 160,000 tons and is
the largest producer of BDO in China. To date, the company has invested RMB 5
billion (about €600 million) in Markor Chemical Park.
About Markor
Xinjiang Markor Chemical
Industry Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Markor Investment Group Co., Ltd. which
was founded in 2004. It is located in Markor Chemical Park in Economic and
Technological Development zone, Korla, Xinjiang, China.By leveraging the comprehensive advantages of local natural
gas resources in Korla, Markor’s BDO production has achieved outstanding
performance in energy saving and environmental protection. Markor is one of the
leading manufacturers in the BDO downstream market, and has achieved outstanding
performance in product quality and customer service.
Shell, BASF agree to pay-out over Brazil
chemical contamination
Oil producer Shell and German chemical company BASF agreed on Monday to pay
compensation that could reach 620 million reais ($316 million) to workers
exposed over three decades to toxic chemicals at a Brazil plant, prosecutors
said.
2010 計622百万レアル（354百万米ドル）の罰金を命じた。
0.567
2013 0.509
Brazil's public Labour prosecution service said 60 people were killed from
prolonged exposure to chemicals used to make pesticides at the plant. The
factory began operating in the 1970s in Paulinia in Sao Paulo state until
government authorities ordered it to shut down in 2002.
The companies have agreed to pay individual compensation to 1,068 former workers
at the plant and provide them with lifetime medical care, which prosecutors
estimated could total up to 420 million reais.
Shell and BASF would also make a separate 200 million
reais payment for collective moral damages which would be used to build a
maternity clinic in Paulinia and for donations to special health centres.
Shell has maintained throughout the case, brought in 2007, that it believed
there was no link between the operations at the plant and injury to workers'
health, but it said it regretted the environmental contamination that occurred.
Seventy-six workers pursuing individual court action must also decide within 30
days whether to take the compensation offer which would require them to drop
their own cases.
Shell built and operated the factory until it sold it to chemicals company
Cyanamid in 1995, which in turn sold it to BASF in 2000. BASF produced
pesticides at the plant for only two years before it was shut down.
Shell became the owner of the site again in 2008
when it bought it from BASF but the plant remains shut.
Spokespeople for Shell and BASF based in Brazil confirmed the two companies had
agreed to the compensation deal, whose total amount would be worked out over the
next 10 days.
Gislaine Rossetti, a spokeswoman at BASF, told Reuters the companies would not
disclose the proportion of the total compensation each would pay. Shell would be
solely responsible for reparations linked to soil pollution, she said.
2013-07-09 BASF
BASF to increase global capacities for
butanediol and PolyTHF
Annual butanediol capacity will reach
650,000 metric tons
Annual PolyTHF capacity will rise to 350,000 metric tons
BASF to strengthen position as global leader for butanediol and its
derivatives
BASF will increase its global capacities for
producing the chemical intermediate 1,4‑butanediol (BDO) and the BDO derivative
PolyTHF® (chemical name: polytetramethylene ether glycol, PTMEG) within the
coming two years. BASF’s annual BDO capacity will rise from 535,000 to 650,000
metric tons, its annual PolyTHF capacity from 250,000 to 350,000 metric tons.
With respect to PolyTHF, BASF had already announced a capacity increase from
185,000 to 250,000 metric tons per year in August 2012.
The company continuously expands its production capacities by implementing
measures to boost efficiency and improve its infrastructure. These measures
include, in particular, investments in the double-digit million euro range to
increase capacity for BDO operations at BASF’s Geismar, Louisiana, site, and for
PolyTHF operations at the Caojing, China, site.
Part of the announced capacity increase will be a BDO and a PolyTHF plant
located at Korla, China. As recently announced these plants will be built by two
joint venture companies established by BASF and Xinjiang Markor Chemical
Industry Co. Ltd. The plants will be capable of manufacturing annually 100,000
metric tons of BDO and 50,000 metric tons of PolyTHF. They are expected to begin
operations in 2015. The companies intend to supply these high-quality products
to their customers in the Chinese market.
“By expanding our global BDO and PolyTHF capacities, we are moving in line with
the steadily growing market and continually rising demand of our customers. The
demand for BDO and PolyTHF has increased notably in the Americas. Our measures
will enable us to continue meeting this demand reliably out of our local assets
in Geismar,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, President, BASF Intermediates division, and
added: “In the Asia Pacific region, the markets for PolyTHF continue to grow,
and so do our customers. We are taking these measures to support our partners in
their growth and accompany them as a reliable local manufacturer and supplier in
the future too.”
BDO and its derivatives are used for producing plastics, solvents, electronic
chemicals and elastic fibers. The starting materials for the production of
conventional BDO are natural gas, butane, butadiene and propylene.
For 70 years, BASF has been manufacturing BDO at its Ludwigshafen, Germany,
Verbund site by means of the Reppe process. This acetylene-based process, which
is named after its inventor Walter Reppe, a chemist with BASF, features higher
efficiency than any other process. Other BASF sites producing BDO and BDO
derivatives are Geismar, Louisiana; Chiba, Japan; Kuantan, Malaysia; Caojing,
China and Ulsan, Korea.
It was 30 years ago that BASF produced PolyTHF for the first time at its
Ludwigshafen Verbund site. Today, four PolyTHF production facilities make BASF
the world’s most important and only global supplier of PolyTHF.
BASF inaugurates new plant for
high performance Ultramid® in China
Polymerization capacity of 100,000 metric
tons per year
Local
production supports growth of polyamide
industry in Asia Pacific
BASF today
inaugurated its new Ultramid®
(polyamide 6 and 6/6.6) polymerization plant at
the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Shanghai,
China. The new plant, with a capacity of
100,000 metric tons per
year, will further strengthen BASF’s
local production and supply network and better
serve the growing market in Asia Pacific.
“This is the
first investment in polyamide polymerization for
BASF in Asia Pacific and shows our strong
commitment to this market. The innovative
production setup enables us to respond to our
customers’ needs even quicker with more
flexibility,” said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of
the Board of Executive Directors of BASF.
“The demand
for polyamide products in the engineering
plastics, fiber and film industries will
continue to grow strongly, particularly in
China. With the local production facility, we
are well-positioned to support our customers’
strong growth and help them to develop
innovative products for tapping into market
opportunities,” said Dr. Albert Heuser,
President Functions Asia Pacific, President and
Chairman Greater China, BASF.
The BASF
wholly-owned plant was built at the Shanghai
Chemical Industry Park in Caojing which is also
home to a world-scale facility for
integrated isocyanates,
operated by BASF and partners. At this location,
BASF also has production plants for
polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF) and polyisocyanate
(Basonat®) for the coatings
and furniture finishing industry, precious metal
solutions for automotive catalysts, and an
automotive coatings plant operated by BASF’s
joint-venture company, BASF Shanghai Coatings
Co., Ltd.
High
performance Ultramid® products for
the engineering plastics, film, fiber and
monofilament industry
With more than 60 years of experience, BASF is
the leading supplier of high quality polyamide
and polyamide intermediates for the engineering
plastics, film, fiber and monofilament industry.
The line of products include Ultramid®
B (polyamide 6), Ultramid® C
(polyamide 6/6.6 copolymer), Ultramid®
A (polyamide 6.6) and Ultramid® S
Balance (polyamide 6.10). The product offerings
are supplemented by technical services for the
customers.
BASF operates
Ultramid® polymerization plants also
in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium;
Freeport, USA; and São Paulo, Brazil. The
production of polyamide for film, textile and
carpet fiber as well as for engineering plastics
applications is integrated into BASF’s global
Verbund structure with polyamide intermediates
(i.e. adipic acid, anolone, caprolactam),
chemical raw materials (i.e. ammonia,
cyclohexane, sulfuric acid), energy, by-product
recovery, logistics and other services.
2013-09-20 BASF
BASF announces cash offer to acquire
specialized enzyme biotechnology company Verenium
Cash offer of US$4.00 per share
Proposed transaction strengthens position in strategic growth market for
enzymes
BASF today announced that its U.S. affiliate,
BASF Corporation, has entered into an agreement to commence a cash tender offer
for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the biotechnology company
Verenium Corporation for US$4.00 per share.
Based on all outstanding shares and including all net financial liabilities, the
enterprise value would be approximately US$62 million
(approximately €48 million).
Verenium is based in San Diego, California, and generated sales of US$57 million
in 2012.
The offer corresponds to a premium of 56 percent above the volume-weighted
average share price for Verenium’s shares in the six months prior to
announcement of the transaction. The tender offer is subject to customary
closing conditions, including the acquisition of a majority of Verenium’s shares
outstanding as of the closing of the tender offer. The acquisition is expected
to close in the fourth quarter of 2013. BASF will finance the transaction out of
operating cash.
The transaction has been unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both
companies. Each of the directors and certain officers of Verenium have entered
into support agreements and will tender all their shares.
Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts, enabling or accelerating biological
and chemical processes. They are used in the development of sustainable
solutions in a variety of applications, e.g. detergents, human and animal
nutrition. Combining Verenium’s scientific and
technological excellence with BASF’s enzyme activities and its global access
into all relevant markets will strengthen BASF’s footprint in the strategic
enzyme growth market.
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‘We believe this deal should enhance the
growth profile of BASF’s enzymes franchise, and herald a significant longer-term
shift in the competitive landscape in industrial enzymes and agricultural
enzymes for Novozymes and DuPont,’’ Laurence
Alexander, an analyst at Jefferies, said in a note.
While small in size, BASF’s acquisition is a
sign that Chief Executive Officer Kurt Bock is committed to
breaking the stranglehold of the two leading rivals.
Chemical companies use enzyme technology to produce ingredients and enhance the
performance of products such as animal feeds and detergents. Verenium, which has
collected microbes from diverse environments including volcanoes and
rainforests, brings 10 industrial enzymes derived from bacteria and fungi.
BASF subsidiary Wintershallto increaseoil
and gas production and exit gas trading and storage business
Completion of the transaction expected mid-2014
Today in Moscow, BASF and Gazprom signed the
final agreement to swap assets of equivalent value. Through the swap, the BASF
subsidiary Wintershall will further expand its production of oil and gas and
exit the gas trading and storage business. The completion of the transaction is
expected to take place mid-2014 and will be economically effective retroactively
to April 1, 2013. Sales and earnings of BASF’s Natural Gas Trading business will
continue to be reported in the Oil & Gas segment until completion. The
transaction was approved by the European Commission at the beginning of December
2013.
Through the agreement, two additional blocks of the Achimov formation of the
Urengoi natural gas and condensate field in western Siberia will be jointly
developed. Wintershall, a 100% subsidiary of BASF, receives
25% plus one share of the blocks IV and V in the Achimov formation.
According to the development plan confirmed by the Russian mining authority,
blocks IV and V have total hydrocarbon resources of 274 billion cubic meters of
natural gas and 74 million metric tons of condensate. This is equivalent to a
total of 2.4 billion barrel of oil equivalent. An annual plateau production of
at least 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas is expected from the two blocks.
Start of production is planned for 2016.
In return, Wintershall will completely transfer the currently
jointly operated natural gas trading and storage business
to its long-term partner Gazprom. This includes the 50% shares in the gas
trading companies WINGAS, WIEH (Wintershall
Erdgashandelshaus Berlin) and WIEE (Wintershall Erdgashandelshaus Zug)
including shares in the natural gas storage facilities in
Rehden and Jemgum, Germany, as well as Haidach, Austria, and the gas
storage operator astora. Gazprom will also receive a 50% share in the activities
of Wintershall Noordzee B.V., which is active in
the exploration and production of oil and gas in the southern North Sea
(Netherlands, UK and Denmark). Together these activities contributed about €10
billion to sales and roughly €500 million to EBITDA of BASF Group in 2012. The
partnership in the area of gas transportation activities will continue
unchanged.
“The asset swap will allow us to focus on profitable growth at the source in our
targeted oil and gas-rich regions,” said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF SE. “Through the joint development of additional
blocks in the attractive Achimov formation, we will further expand our
production of natural gas and condensate with our partner Gazprom.”
The expansion of activities at the source has already been successful. Since
2000, Wintershall’s production of crude oil and natural gas has increased from
80 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) to 126 million boe [1] in 2012. By
2015, the company plans to increase production to at least 160 million boe.
Especially the production of oil and gas in Russia and the northern North Sea is
to be expanded.
OAO Gazprom is the world’s leading natural gas company specializing in the
exploration, production, transport, storage, processing and marketing of natural
gas and other hydrocarbons as well as energy generation. Gazprom’s gas reserves
are estimated at 35.1 billion cubic meters, i.e. 72% of Russia’s and 18% of the
world’s gas reserves. Gazprom is responsible for 74% of Russian and 14% of
global natural gas production. Gazprom has a 26% share of gas supplies on the
European market and sells gas to over 30 countries. Further information is
available on the Internet at www.gazprom.com
Wintershall Holding GmbH , based in Kassel, Germany, is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of BASF in Ludwigshafen. The company has been active in the
exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas for over 80 years.
Wintershall focuses on selected core regions, where the company has built up a
high level of regional and technological expertise. These are Europe, North
Africa, South America, as well as Russia and the Caspian Sea region. In
addition, these operations are complemented by the company’s growing exploration
activities in the Arabian Gulf. Today, the company employs more than 2,500 staff
worldwide from 40 nations and is now Germany’s largest crude oil and natural gas
producer.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its
portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop
protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with
environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and
innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current
and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving
resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up
this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a
sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than
110,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock
exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information
on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com
[1] Restated figure for 2012, adjusted to changes in IFRS 10 and 11. The
restated figure includes 50% of the Libyan onshore oil production.
2014-01-17
BASF opens first Ultrason plant outside
of Germany
-World class facility
in Yeosu, Korea to serve growing market demand for high performance
specialty plastics in Asia Pacific
-Capacity
of 6,000 metric tons per year
BASF today announced
it is inaugurating a new plant in Yeosu, Korea
to strengthen the supply of Ultrason®
polyarylsulfone, one of the company’s high
performance thermoplastics.The new plant, with an
annual production capacity of 6,000 metric tons,
will better serve the growing market in Asia Pacific.
“The production of our
high performance plastic specialty Ultrason in Korea supports our goal to
locally produce approximately 75% of all BASF products we sell in Asia
Pacific by 2020, and demonstrates our commitment to this fast growing
market,” said Raimar Jahn, President, Performance Materials, BASF.
The new plant is the
first of its kind to be built outside of Germany and brings the company’s
global capacity of Ultrason polyarylsulfone to 18,000
metric tons per year. With this investment, BASF also creates 50 new
jobs at its Yeosu site.
Ultrason is widely
applied in the electronics, automotive and aerospace industries for the
production of heat-resistant, lightweight components. Other popular Ultrason
applications include membranes for water treatment, fittings for drinking
water pipelines or food contact parts as in espresso machines, or
microwave-proof dishes. Ultrason is also used in the production of carbon
fiber composite materials.
“The Yeosu plant
brings us closer to our customers in the region and enables us to better
support the growth of key local industries – partly driven by the global
development of many new Ultrason applications. Another important value
proposition is shorter lead times,” said WooSung Shin, Managing Director,
BASF Korea.
As one of the top
three electrical and electronic goods manufacturing countries in the world,
Korea is well positioned to benefit from local availability and production
of Ultrason. By locating the site in Yeosu, BASF will also be able to serve
other major markets for Ultrason such as China and Japan.
Ultrason is the trade
name for the BASF product range of polyethersulfone (Ultrason® E), polysulfone (Ultrason®S), and polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason®P). The product can withstand temperatures up to 220
degrees centigrade without altering its properties, and possesses
outstanding chemical stability.
2014-01-24
BASF and SINOPEC break ground on
world-scale isononanol plant in Maoming, China
First
INA plant in China will provide important feedstock for
next-generation plasticizers
State-of-the-art facility to start up in 2015
New
plant to create around 100 new jobs
BASF and China
Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) broke ground today on the
construction of its world-scale isononanol (INA)
plant in Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development
Zone, Maoming, China. At start-up in 2015, the plant, which is
the first of its kind in China, will serve the increasing market demand
for next-generation plasticizers. A newly-formed
50-50 joint venture company has been created,
BASF MPCC Company Limited. The new plant
will bring around 100 new jobs in Maoming.
“High quality and
reliable plasticizers help underpin industrial growth, and with this
plant we will be well positioned to serve China’s growing demands.
Additionally, this project brings us a step closer to BASF’s strategic
goal to better serve local industries with local production in Asia
Pacific of approximately 75% by 2020. The new joint venture with SINOPEC
also solidifies our already strong partnership, and demonstrates BASF’s
long-term commitment to China,” said Dr. Albert Heuser, President,
Functions Asia Pacific, President and Chairman, Greater China, BASF.
“This project isthe first of its kind to bring BASF’s advanced INA
technology into China,and to build a
world-scale INA plant at Maoming Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone. It
not only fills the country’s INA production gap, but also opens a new
chapter for the strategic alliance between SINOPEC and BASF. It closely
unites two strong parties in order to enjoy mutual benefits and develop
business together, taking our relationship to a new level. I hope both
shareholders continue to broaden our co-operation, and to explore how to
further utilize SINOPEC Maoming, this area’s refinery products, and the
public infrastructure, so as to maximize the production of BASF MPCC
Company Limited and both shareholders’ business interests,” said Dr. Yu
Xizhi, President of SINOPEC Corp. Maoming Company.
INA is used as the
feedstock for the production of next generation plasticizers, including
diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and non-phthalate plasticizer Hexamoll®
DINCH®. DINP is widely used as a plasticizer in
industrial applications such as automotive, wires, building and
construction, while Hexamoll DINCH is BASF’s non-phthalate plasticizer
for sensitive applications, including toys as well as food contact and
medical applications.
BASF and SINOPEC
have a longtime partnership and jointly operate BASF-YPC Co. Ltd., a
50-50 joint venture formed in 2000 between BASF and SINOPEC in Nanjing,
China.
BASF and CSM establish 50-50 joint venture
for biobased succinic acid
Succinity
GmbH to become a leading succinic acid supplier
Plans for
industrial scale succinic acid production
BASF and Purac, a
subsidiary of CSM, are establishing a joint venture for the production and
sale of biobased succinic acid コハク酸. The company will be named
Succinity GmbH and will be operational in 2013.
The establishment of Succinity GmbH is subject to filing with the relevant
competition authorities. The company headquarters will be in Düsseldorf,
Germany.
BASF and CSM have been
conducting research on succinic acid under a joint
development agreement since 2009.The
complementary strengths in fermentation and downstream processing led to the
development of a sustainable and highly efficient manufacturing process
based on a proprietary microorganism. The bacterium used is Basfia
succiniciproducens, which produces succinic acid through natural processes.
It is capable of metabolizing a variety of renewable feedstocks into
succinic acid. The new process combines high efficiency with the use of
renewable raw materials and the fixation of the greenhouse gas carbon
dioxide (CO2) in the production of succinic acid. This makes
biobased succinic acid an economically and ecologically attractive
alternative to petrochemical raw materials.
The demand for
succinic acid is anticipated to grow strongly in the years ahead, driven
mainly by bioplastics, chemical intermediates, solvents, polyurethanes and
plasticizers.
BASF and CSM are
currently modifying an existing fermentation facility at Purac’s Montmélo
site near Barcelona, Spain, for the production of succinic acid. This plant,
which will commence operations in late 2013 with an annual capacity of
10,000 metric tons of succinic acid, will put the new joint venture company
in a leading position in the global marketplace. This is complemented by
plans for a second large-scale facility with an annual capacity of 50,000
metric tons of succinic acid to enable the company to respond to the
expected increase in demand. The final investment decision for this facility
will be made following a successful market introduction.
About CSM→Corbion
CSM is global market
leader in lactic acid 乳酸
and lactic acid derivatives and is the largest supplier of bakery products
worldwide.CSM operates in business-to-business
markets throughout Europe, North America, South America, and Asia, generates
annual sales of €3,1 billion and has a workforce of around 9,700 employees
in 28 countries. CSM is listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
About Purac→Corbion
Purac
Purac is a leading
company in lactic acid 乳酸
based chemistry and the worldwide market leader in lactic acid, lactic acid
derivatives and lactides.Purac is innovation
driven and develops new products, technology and services in close
cooperation with customers and knowledge centers. Purac has almost 80 years
of experience in the development, manufacturing and marketing of its
products in a broad range of industries. Purac operates production plants in
the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Brazil and Thailand and markets its
products through a worldwide network of sales offices and distributors.
Purac is headquartered in The Netherlands and is part of CSM.
TODA KOGYO CORP. is
specialized in the Wet Synthesis Technology of metal oxide, and manufacturing
cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, coloring materials including
pigments and toners, magnetic powder materials, ferrite materials and other
various magnetic materials. We aim to expand our business globally along with
our fundamental line to provide solutions to support society in the aspects of
information, environment and energy. TODA KOGYO CORP. had consolidated net sales
of about 31.6 billion JPY in the fiscal year 2012, as well as about
900 employees at the end of 2012.
2014-04-09
BASF and Sinopec inaugurate acrylic acid and
SAP plants in Nanjing, China
New
superabsorbent polymers, acrylic acid and butyl acrylate plants serve
growing demand in China market
Integrated
production enables resource efficiency and energy conservation
BASF and Sinopec today
inaugurated two new plants for acrylic acid and
superabsorbent polymers (SAP) at their state-of-the-art Verbund site,
BASF-YPC Co., Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture in
Nanjing, China. Additionally, a new butyl acrylate plant will begin
production later this year.
The new plants will
further strengthen the C3 (propylene) value chain and serve the growing
downstream demand. With an annual capacity of 60,000
metric tons, the new SAP plant will serve growing demand in China for
baby diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine care products.
“BASF is investing in
Asia Pacific to produce 75% of our Asia Pacific sales locally, in order to
ensure faster, more energy-efficient, more reliable supply. With the
start-up of these projects, we continue to build on the success of our
strong partnership with Sinopec, and reinforce our commitment to serving the
hygiene industry in China and Asia as well as around the world,” said Albert
Heuser, President, Greater China and Functions Asia Pacific, BASF.
“The start-up of these
projects will continuously improve the company’s ability to meet the demands
of our customers. It will create new opportunities for sustainability and
will make a positive contribution to clean production. It will also enhance
industrial development,” said Chang Zhenyong, Vice Chief Engineer, Director
of Chemical Department, Sinopec Corporation.
BASF’s “Verbund”
system creates efficient value chains that extend from basic chemicals right
through to high-value-added products. In addition, the by-products of one
plant can be used as the starting materials of another. At the BASF-YPC
Verbund site in Nanjing, SAP, butyl acrylate and acrylic acid production
will be backward integrated into the manufacturing of C3. This ensures
greater supply reliability, energy efficiency, and cost effectiveness, while
minimizing energy use and environmental impact.
BASFとPCGは1997年に、合弁企業としてBASF-Petronas Chemicals Sdn Bhd
を設立しました。現在は、マレーシア・パハンにあるGebeng工業団地で統合施設を運営しています。株式資本はBASFが60%、PCGが40%を保有し、アクリルモノマー、オキソ製品、ブタンジオールの生産工場に、約34億マレーシア・リンギットの初期投資を行いました。今回の新プロジェクトでは、両社はそれぞれの出資比率に応じて投資を行います。
In early early 2000 or so, BASF embarked on
an aggressive R&D program targeted at an improved method for the synthesis of
(-)-Menthol.
For background, it is important to realize
that BASF had developed a remarkably sophisticated process for the
synthesis of citral (an important intermediate for producing
Vitamin A) which came on stream in 1981. In 2004,
BASF opened a new highly efficient continuous process plant in Ludwigshafen with
an annual capacity of 40,000 metric tons of citral.
This process, starting with isobutylene and formaldehyde
is shown in the first schematic.
With such capacity, BASF has continued to
extend its citral value chain with a number of new & improved products. While
linalool, geraniol & nerol (as well as related products such as citronellol,
citronellyl nitrile, geranyl acetate, hydroxycitronellal, hydroxycitronellol,
nerolidol, phytol, iso-phytol) have long been produced, since menthol is one of
the worlds major fine chemical commodities (with an annual production of about
20,000 metric tons) - it presents a major potential opportunity for BASF.
Symrise and Takasago are currently the only major producers of synthetic
(-)-menthol (producing about 5000 metric tons/year, combined). The price of
natural menthol largely determines the economic viability of synthetic menthol
production.
The BASF menthol process utilizes (+)-(R)-
citronellal which can be produced from either geraniol or nerol by chiral
catalytic hydrogenation to (+)-(R)-citronellol (in a manner similar to that
described in 1987 by Ryoji Noyori and co-workers) followed by catalytic
dehydrogenation to (+)-(R)-citronellal. In addition, BASF has also achieved the
direct chiral catalytic hydrogenation of neral or geranial to
(+)-(R)-citronellal (Ref. 4). This latter route as depicted in Scheme 2 appears
to be the commercial route.
BASF has recently developed refined processes
for the cyclization of (+)-(R)-citronellal to (-)-Isopulegol that minimizes the
undesirable isomeric isopulegols (Ref. 5); further they have developed an
improved process for enriching the (-)-Isopulegol before the hydrogenation step
to (-)-menthol (Ref. 6). A continuous distillation process for purifying the
final menthol product has also been achieved (Ref. 7).
BASF has now developed a new process based on
the aroma chemical citral which is already produced
in BASF's Verbund system. "One of the key steps in the new process is called
asymmetric hydrogenation不斉水素化,"
explains BASF research scientist Dr. Rocco Paciello. "For this purpose we have
developed a special, highly efficient catalyst system which ensures that mainly
just a certain enantiomer光学異性体 is synthesized from the citral." In two further
synthesis steps, this intermediate is then used to produce the L-menthol.
Another advantage of this technique: it is a continuous process in which
substances are constantly added and removed so therefore it has no downtimes.
This not only saves time but is more resource-efficient because more L-menthol
with a purity of at least 99.7 percent can be produced using the same amount of
starting materials.
2014-06-03 BASF
Linde and BASF intend to jointly develop
on-purpose butadiene technology
The Linde Group and BASF SE intend to cooperate in developing and licensing
processes for the on-purpose production of linear butenes
and butadiene. BASF has developed process technology and catalysts as
well as the extraction technologies, while Linde is providing its expertise for
the integration, optimization and commercialization of the process.
The new process will deliver an on-purpose route from
butane to butadiene via butenes.
Currently, the industry relies mainly on butadiene as a co-product from
naphtha-cracking to ethylene.
The shift to
lighter cracker feedstock results in reduced volumes of co-products.
Therefore the on-purpose production of higher olefins is gaining more and more
importance.
“The new BASF technology is currently being developed by mini plant and pilot
plant operation in Ludwigshafen”, said Dr. Heinrich-Josef Blankertz, Senior Vice
President Global Technology, of BASF’s Petrochemicals division. “We are
optimistic that we can offer a new best-in-class technology for the
manufacturing of on-purpose butadiene to help producers meet the increasing
global demand.”
“We focus on elaborating a solution that provides an efficient process
characterized by optimal integration of the whole process chain,” added Dr.
Ernst Haidegger, Head of Product Line Petrochemical Plants at Linde’s
Engineering Division. “This new technology is a welcome addition to our existing
portfolio of petrochemical technologies.”
Butadiene is a monomer used for the production of polymers, paper coating and
synthetic rubber mainly for the tire production. Butenes are building blocks
which are used in the chemical and in refining industries.
BASF strengthens performance materials
production in China to better serve key industries in Asia Pacific
BASF’s
biggest compounding facility in Asia Pacific for Ultramid®
polyamide and Ultradur® PBT compounds starts operation ahead
of schedule
Significant
increase in capacity of Elastollan® TPU reinforces BASF’s
position in Asia Pacific
Expandedtechnical and production facilities of Cellasto®
better serve dynamic Asianautomotive market
BASF, the world’s
leading chemical company, has undertaken three key
capacity expansion projects for performance materials at its Pudong
site in Shanghai:
Ultramid® (polyamide, PA),
Ultradur® (polybutylene terephthalate, PBT),
Elastollan® thermoplastics polyurethane elastomers (TPU), and
Technical Center and capacity expansion of Cellasto®
(microcellular polyurethane components).
“More than 60% of
China’s people will live in cities by 2020. Supporting an
environmentally-friendly path for urbanization presents a huge opportunity
for chemistry as an enabler for sustainable innovations in areas ranging
from industrial manufacturing to construction, transportation and consumer
goods,” said Albert Heuser, President, Greater China and Functions Asia
Pacific, BASF.
“As the leading
producer of polyamide, PBT, TPU and Cellasto®, and preferred
business partner for our customers,we continuously strengthen our position in key markets.
With our technical and engineering competence, we help our customers
differentiate in their marketsand gain a competitive advantage. We put a strong
emphasis on new market and product development, and these capacity
expansions will support this future
growth,” said Raimar Jahn, President, Performance Materials, BASF.
BASF’s biggest
compounding facility in AsiaPacificfor Ultramid® polyamide and Ultradur®
PBT compounds starts operation ahead of schedule
BASF estimates theAsia Pacific market for engineering plasticswillgrow on average by about
7% per year. This growth is driven by the increasing usage of engineering
plastics in various segments, including transportation, construction, high
speed railway, as well as the electrical and electronics industry. Ultramid®
and Ultradur® are used in automotive parts and innovative
applications include seat structures, oil sump modules, sensors, engine
mounts, connectors and highly integrated laser-structured electronic
devices.
Additionally,
according to China’s national New Urbanization Plan (2014-2020), with
additional 100 million people living in cities by 2020, the percentage of
more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly buildings among newly
constructed buildings in China will rise to 50% from 2% today. BASF
recently introduced co-extrudable Ultradur® to reinforce
thermally insulated PVC window profiles, an important contributor to
building energy efficiency.
The compounding
plant’s total capacity for Ultramid® and Ultradur®
compounds has doubled from currently 45,000to
more than 100,000 metric tons per year– making itBASF’s biggestengineering plastics compoundingfacility in Asia Pacific. The expansion, which is
operational more than six months ahead of schedule, also includes a
compounding line for specialty grades that enables BASF to tap the
burgeoning market potential for specialty applications. With this project
and the new compounding plant in Yesan, Chung Nam Province, Korea, which is
expected to begin operations from the end of 2015, BASF’s overall
compounding capacities in Asia will increase from the current 130,000 to a
total of 225,000 metric tons.
Significant
increase in capacity of Elastollan® TPU reinforces BASF’s
position in the region
Elastollan®
TPU is a versatile material that offers the highest innovation potential. It
can be processed with different methods, including extrusion and injection
molding as well as blow molding.
BASF has now completed
a significant capacity expansion at its Shanghai-based Elastollan®
plant, which was established in 2007. Elastollan® TPU has a long
history of success in China. The expansion of capacity for TPU in China will
support growth of the rapidly growing market for textile, footwear,
transportation, wire and cable sheathing and other industrial applications.
Technical and
capacity enhancement of Cellasto® better serves the dynamic Asianautomotive market
In 2013,more than42 million cars were
sold in Asia Pacific and over 20 million in China, the world’s largest
automotive market. The number is foreseen to increase to 33 million in China
and 62 million in Asia Pacific by 2020. (Source: LMC Automotive Ltd 2013Report).
Cellasto®
is the customized solutionfor damping and
reductionof the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH)
level of vehicles. In Asia Pacific, BASF will strengthen the technical
leadership of Cellasto®, based on the existing facilityat BASF Pudong site,which was established in 2011.
The new investment project includes the expansion oftheCellasto® Asia
Pacific Technical Center, the establishment of three new production lines,and
thetechnical improvement of existing facilities.
The production capacity will be doubled after the project completion in
2015.
Cellasto®
components are sold to the automotive industry mainly as jounce bumpers, top
mounts and coil spring isolators for suspension, as well as other NVH parts.
BASF currently produces Cellasto® at six sites worldwide:
Lemförde, Germany, Shanghai and Nansha, China, Guaratinguetá, Brazil,
Shinshiro, Japan, and Wyandotte, USA.
The new technical and
production facilities of Cellasto® mark anothermilestone of BASF as a
leading supplier of automotive suspension parts in Asia, as well as enable
BASF to better serve its OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) key accounts
in the local market and help them perform more successfully in the
competitive business environment.
2014-07-10
Alpek and BASF sign agreements regarding
their EPS and PU business activities in the Americas
Alpek, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Alpek”) and BASF announced today that they have
signed agreements concerning the EPS (expandable polystyrene) and PU
(polyurethane) business activities of their Polioles
joint venture in Mexico, and BASF’s EPS business in North and South
America, excluding BASF’s Neopor® (grey EPS) business.
Alpek will acquire all of Polioles’ EPS business
activities, including its EPS production site in Altamira, Mexico. In
parallel, BASF will acquire Polioles’ PU business
activities, including selected assets in its Lerma facility as well
as all marketing and selling rights for PU systems, isocyanates and polyols.
Upon completion of the transaction, Polioles will continue operations as an
Alpek-BASF joint venture with a product portfolio comprised of industrial
and specialty chemicals.
Under the agreements, Alpek will also acquire BASF’s EPS business activities
in North and South America, including:
BASF’s EPS sales and distribution channels in North and South America,
BASF’s EPS production facilities in Guaratinguetá, Brazil, and General
Lagos, Argentina, and
BASF’s EPS foam parts business in Chile (Aislapol, S.A.).
The combined capacity of all EPS production facilities that Alpek will
acquire is approximately 230,000 metric tons per year. This figure includes
Polioles’ 165,000 metric tons per year production plant in Altamira, Mexico.
Approximately 440 employees work in the businesses that are subject to the
agreements – 380 employees in the EPS businesses and 60 employees in the PU
business. The majority of these employees will keep their position under the
new ownerships.
BASF will continue to sell Neopor to its customers in the United States,
Canada and South America. In Mexico, Alpek will sell Neopor for BASF based
on a distribution agreement.
All agreements are subject to approval by the appropriate authorities.
Closing of the transaction is expected by early 2015. Financial terms of the
agreement were not disclosed.
José de Jesús Valdez, Alpek’s CEO, stated: “This transaction represents an
attractive opportunity for Alpek to build upon its EPS operations in Mexico,
expand its EPS footprint across the Americas, and consolidate its ‘Plastics
& Chemicals’ product portfolio. It also reaffirms Alpek’s commitment to the
EPS value chain, where we will continue providing the highest standard of
quality and service to all our customers.”
“The acquisition of the PU business significantly strengthens BASF
Performance Materials’ industry-oriented customer solutions approach across
North America and globally. BASF will focus its EPS business on strategic
markets in Europe and Asia as well as on Neopor, which is produced in
Germany and Korea,” said Raimar Jahn, President Performance Materials, BASF.
About Alpek
Alpek is the largest petrochemical company in Mexico and the second largest
in Latin America. The company operates two business segments:
Polyester (PTA, PET and polyester fibers), and
Plastics & Chemicals (PP, EPS, caprolactam, polyurethanes and other
specialty and industrial chemicals). Alpek is a leading producer of
PTA and PET worldwide, operates the largest expandable polystyrene plant in
America and one of the largest polypropylene plants in North America. It is
also the only producer of caprolactam in Mexico. In 2013, Alpek reported
revenues of U.S. $7.0 billion and EBITDA of U.S. $572 million. The company
operates 16 plants in Mexico, USA and Argentina, and employs over 4,500
people. Alpek is a publicly traded company listed on the Mexican Stock
Exchange.
About Polioles
Polioles is an Alpek-BASF
joint venture headquartered in Mexico City. The company operates two
production sites in Altamira and Lerma, Mexico, producing EPS, polyurethanes
and industrial chemicals for the construction, electronics, paintings,
cosmetics, automotive and furniture industry.
•
POLIOLES began operations on February 14, 1965.
• At the end of 1969 the company, Wyandotte Chemicals, which held 40 %
of the shares of the Company, was acquired by
BASF.
• In 1974 Grupo Industrial ALFA acquires 60%.
• In 1994 BASF acquires 10% of the shares, and is represented as
follows:
ALFA is the
largest independent producer of aluminum engine components for the
automotive industry in the world, and one of the world’s largest producers
of polyester (PTA, PET and fibers). In addition, it leads the Mexican market
in petrochemicals such as polypropylene, expandable polystyrene and
Caprolactam. It is the leading maker of cold cuts in North America, and of
cheese in Mexico, as well as in information technologies and communication
services for the business segment in this country. Since 2006 it
participates in the hydrocarbon industry in the U.S.
Alpec:
The largest petrochemical company in
Mexico. The leading producer of polyester in North America and one of
the most important worldwide. Operates the largest expandable
polystyrene (EPS) plant in the Americas. Sole producer of polypropylene
and caprolactam in Mexico.
NEMAC: The world’s largest
independent producer of complex aluminum powertrain components in the
automotive industry.
SIGMA:
The leading maker of processed meats in
North America, and of cheese in Mexico. The largest producer of hot dogs
in the U.S., Mexico and Central America. Owns one of the largest
refrigerated food distribution networks in Latin America. It serves
440,000 points of sale.
ALESTRA:
Leading provider of information
technologies and communications services for corporate customers in
Mexico.
NEWPEK:
Company engaged hydrocarbons exploration and production activities.
August 5, 2014
Shanghai BASF Polyurethane to expand TDI capacity
Shanghai BASF Polyurethane Co. Ltd. will expand production of
toluene diisocyanate at its Shanghai Chemical Industry Park
another 60,000 tons a year, as it invests
in several of its operations.
The firm will spend $65 million to upgrade its nitric acid,
dinitrotoluene and TDA/TDI facilities. Capacity at the plant will
increase to 220,000 tons a year when the
project is expected to be completed, in 2016.
When the facilities go into operation, SBPC’s
nitric acid capacity will rise from 390,000 tons a year to 416,000 tons
a year, and the company is looking to a yearly external purchase
of 41kT upstream feedstock to meet the demand of the expansion. The
capacity of SBPC’s DNT facilities will increase
from 190,000 tons a year to 260,000 tons a year.
TDI and hydrochloric acid from the new facilities are planned for
external sales. HCl will be sold to Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical, the
company said.
Shanghai BASF Polyurethane is located in the Shanghai Chemical Industry
Park of Caojing, Shanghai. It is a joint venture of
BASF, Shanghai Hua Yi (Group) Company and Sinopec
Assets Management Corporation. The company has four manufacturing
plants, including a MDI plant for MDI distillation and three other
facilities for the production of TDI and its precursors.
2014-09-11
BASF starts up butadiene
extraction plant in Antwerp
Production capacity of 155,000 metric tons per year
Securing BASF’s internal supply of butadiene in Europe
Taking advantage of opportunities on the external market
Strengthening of Antwerp Verbund site
BASF today announced the
start-up of a new butadiene extraction plant at its Verbund site in Antwerp,
Belgium. The plant has an annual production capacity of
155,000 metric tons.
The plant
in Antwerp is BASF’s second butadiene extraction plant in Europe. BASF
already operates a butadiene extraction plant at its Verbund site in
Ludwigshafen, Germany, with an annual production capacity of
105,000 metric tons. With the plant in Antwerp,
BASF is more than doubling its production capacity for butadiene in Europe.
“This
plant secures our internal supply with butadiene at competitive costs,” said
Dr. Uwe Kirchgäßner, head of BASF’s regional business unit Basic
Petrochemicals Europe. “In addition, it enables us to take advantage of
opportunities on the external market and strengthens our market position in
Europe.”
The
butadiene will be extracted from crude C4, a product from the steam cracker.
“With the new plant we are further developing the integration of the C4
value chain in Antwerp,” said Wouter de Geest, CEO of BASF Antwerpen NV.
“This important investment strengthens the Verbund at the Antwerp site.”
Butadiene
is a raw material that can be used to produce synthetic rubber, among other
applications. The tire industry is one of the main consumers of butadiene.
Other applications for butadiene include plastics production and paper
chemicals.
2014/9/12 Wintershall
BASF subsidiary Wintershall further
expands oil and gas production in Norway
Wintershall to acquire shares in oil and gas fields
from Statoil for 1.25 billion US Dollar /
Daily production in Norway will increase to around
60,000 barrels of oil equivalent
BASF Group company Wintershall is further
expanding its oil and gas production and reserves in the North Sea.
Wintershall will acquire shares in the two producing fields Gjøa (5%) and
Vega (24.5%), the development project Aasta Hansteen (24%), the Asterix
discovery (19%), the Polarled pipeline project (13.2%), as well as equity in
four exploration licenses in the vicinity of Aasta Hansteen
from Norwegian company Statoil ASA.
The shares in the assets comprise reserves and resources (2P/2C) of around
170 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe).
In addition, the companies agreed that Wintershall will become operator of
the producing field Vega, subject to the approval of the authorities and
consent of the other license partners.
The transaction will be executed with payment of the purchase price of 1.25
billion US Dollar and will be financially effective retroactively to January
1, 2014. In addition, a further payment of up to 50 million US Dollar will
be made if the Aasta Hansteen field development is executed according to the
current project plan. Statoil and Wintershall signed an agreement today in
Stavanger.
The closing of the transaction is expected by the end of 2014, subject to
the approval of the appropriate authorities. Wintershall will thereby raise
its daily production in Norway – from currently 40,000 boe to around 60,000
boe. Wintershall and Statoil additionally agreed that the companies will
work together on the exploitation of the exploration potential in the Vøring
Basin.
“With the acquisition of these shares in oil and gas fields, we are
continuing on our growth course in Norway and intensifying the cooperation
with our partner Statoil,” said Kurt Bock, Chairman of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF.
“The transaction and Wintershall’s further expansion in Norway clearly
demonstrate the attractiveness of the Norwegian continental shelf. We look
forward to extend our well established partnership into the Aasta Hansteen
field development,” said Helge Lund, President and CEO of Statoil.
“We believe in the potential of the Norwegian continental shelf and clearly
focus on our goal: We want to become one of the leading oil and gas
companies in Norway. With domestic production in Europe we are strengthening
the European supply security,” said Rainer Seele, Chairman of the Board of
Executive Directors of Wintershall. “By assuming responsibility as operator
at Vega, we continue to build up our portfolio of Wintershall-operated
fields in Norway.” Wintershall already successfully took over the
operatorship of the producing field Brage in the northern North Sea in fall
2013, becoming the first company to take over a producing platform from
Statoil in Norway.
-----
The Norwegian deal will
make BASF, Germany’s largest industrial user of gas, less reliant on
supplies from Russia as the U.S. and European Union ratchet up sanctions in
response to the conflict in Ukraine.
An asset swap with OAO Gazprom, agreed to in
2012 and expected to close this autumn, was set to boost Russia’s share of
BASF’s supply to more than half the total.
December 23, 2013
Today in Moscow, BASF and
Gazprom signed the final agreement to swap assets of equivalent value.
Through the swap, the BASF subsidiary Wintershall will further expand its
production of oil and gas and exit the gas trading and storage business. The
completion of the transaction is expected to take place mid-2014 and will be
economically effective retroactively to April 1, 2013. Sales and earnings of
BASF’s Natural Gas Trading business will continue to be reported in the Oil
& Gas segment until completion. The transaction was approved by the European
Commission at the beginning of December 2013.
Through the agreement, two additional blocks of the Achimov formation of the
Urengoi natural gas and condensate field in western Siberia will be jointly
developed. Wintershall, a 100% subsidiary of BASF, receives
25% plus one share of the blocks IV and V in the Achimov formation.
According to the development plan confirmed by the Russian mining authority,
blocks IV and V have total hydrocarbon resources of 274 billion cubic meters
of natural gas and 74 million metric tons of condensate. This is equivalent
to a total of 2.4 billion barrel of oil equivalent. An annual plateau
production of at least 8 billion cubic meters of natural gas is expected
from the two blocks. Start of production is planned for 2016.
In return, Wintershall will completely transfer the currently
jointly operated natural gas trading and storage
business to its long-term partner Gazprom. This includes the 50%
shares in the gas trading companies WINGAS, WIEH (Wintershall
Erdgashandelshaus Berlin) and WIEE (Wintershall Erdgashandelshaus Zug)
including shares in the natural gas storage facilities in Rehden and Jemgum,
Germany, as well as Haidach, Austria, and the gas storage operator astora.
Gazprom will also receive a 50% share in the activities of Wintershall
Noordzee B.V., which is active in the exploration and production of oil and
gas in the southern North Sea (Netherlands, UK and Denmark). Together these
activities contributed about €10 billion to sales and roughly €500 million
to EBITDA of BASF Group in 2012. The partnership in the area of gas
transportation activities will continue unchanged.
BASF, Cargill and Novozymes achieved another
milestone in bio-based acrylic acid
Success in
making superabsorbent polymer from bio-based acrylic acid
Process
selected for production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) and conversion
to bio-based acrylic acid
BASF, Cargill and
Novozymes today announced the achievement of another milestone in their
joint development of technologies to produce acrylic
acid from renewable raw materials. The team has demonstrated the
successful conversion of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP：3-ヒドロキシプロピオン酸),
to glacial acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers. Moreover they have
selected the process for further scale-up.
3-HPは蒸留すると脱水反応を起こし、アクリル酸となる。
In August 2012, BASF,
Cargill and Novozymes announced their joint agreement to develop a process
for the conversion of renewable raw materials into bio-based acrylic acid.
In July 2013, the partners successfully demonstrated the production of
3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), one possible precursor to acrylic acid, at
pilot scale.
BASF initially plans
to use the bio-based acrylic acid to manufacture
superabsorbent polymers. Currently, acrylic acid is produced by the
oxidation of propylene derived mainly from the refining of crude oil. “After
just 18 months we have selected the preferred process to convert 3-HP into
glacial acrylic acid. Now we are working full force on the set-up of a small
integrated pilot plant until the end of this year,” said Teressa Szelest,
Senior Vice President Global Hygiene Business at BASF. Together with the
pilot plant for 3-HP, operated by Cargill and supported by Novozymes, this
will further support BASF’s plans for fast market entry of superabsorbent
polymers derived from bio-based acrylic acid.
“We are pleased to see
the project progressing with high pace and commitment towards
commercialization,” said Kristian Bjørneboe, Vice
President Business Creation and AcquisitionatNovozymes. “We are refining and pursuing options on how
to move quickly towards commercial scale production of 3-HP to acrylic acid
to meet market demands for consumer goods based on renewable raw materials.
Meanwhile, strain and fermentation optimization towards commercial scale
requirements is progressing steadily.”
“Cargill came
together with BASF and Novozymes to do what had not been done ever before.
We have been working together for less than two years and we have made great
progress toward our common goal,” said Jack Staloch Vice President of
Research and Development at Cargill. ”It’s a great example of what can be
accomplished when industry leaders with unique expertise in biotechnology
and chemistry come together to create new innovations.”
Superabsorbent
polymers and other products derived from bio-based acrylic acid will be an
innovative offer to the market and will meet consumer and industry demand
for consumer goods based on renewable raw materials and sustainable supply
chains. BASF is the world’s largest producer of acrylic acid, a high-volume
chemical that feeds into a broad range of products, including superabsorbent
polymers that can soak up large amounts of liquid, used primarily for
diapers and other hygiene products.
2014-09-24 BASF
BASF reorganizes its paper
chemicals business
BASF to remain a leading global supplier to the paper industry
New set-up follows structure of BASF value chains
Strategic options for paper hydrous kaolin business being evaluated
BASF is
changing the organizational set-up of its paper chemicals business to
strengthen its competitiveness and better meet the needs of the paper
industry. BASF is a leading global supplier to the paper industry and offers
a comprehensive range of chemical products for paper manufacturing and
coating.
As of
January 1, 2015, the Paper Chemicals division will be dissolved. The current
headquarters of the Paper Chemicals division in Basel, Switzerland will be
closed by the end of 2014. Overall, there will be a reduction of about 50
positions globally as a result of the implementation of the new set-up. The
business will be continued in other divisions of the Performance Products
segment as follows:
The
wet-end chemicals and kaolin businesses will be integrated
into the Performance Chemicals division,
supplementing the polyacrylamide value chain. A new global business unit
“Paper Chemicals” will be established
within the Performance Chemicals division. BASF is evaluating strategic
options for its paper hydrous kaolin business.
The
paper dispersions business and the Center for Sustainable Paper
Packaging (CSPP) will be integrated into the
division Dispersions & Pigments, supplementing the latex
dispersions value chain.
“Integrating the paper chemicals business along existing value chains will
allow BASF to optimally steer plant capacity and leverage the advantages of
the BASF Verbund. This will strengthen our businesses and further increase
the competitiveness of our Performance Products segment,” said Michael
Heinz, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible
for the Performance Products segment.
BASF
remains committed to the paper chemicals industry by providing sustainable
solutions and technical expertise. There will be no impact on supply
security and service for the customers. Sales with paper chemicals were
€1.44 billion in 2013.
BASF
continues to analyze further measures to improve the competitiveness of the
Performance Products segment.
Production begins at BASF’s
largest Indian investment to date
South Asia’s first MDI splitter will help make Gujarat a hub for
value-adding industries
INR 1,000 crore investment project creates 500 direct and indirect jobs
Zero lost-time injuries during construction phase
BASF India Limited today
inaugurated its large-scale chemical production complex at Dahej in Gujarat,
India. With a project cost of INR 1,000 crore (approximately €150 million), the
site represents BASF’s single largest investment in India.
The site includes an integrated hub for polyurethane
manufacturing and production facilities for care chemicals and polymer
dispersions. The care chemicals facility at the Dahej site hosts the first BASF
sulfation 硫酸化 plant in India, which will cater to customers in the fast-moving
consumer goods sector.
The polymer dispersions plant will expand BASF’s production footprint in the
dispersions business, complementing the Mangalore facility. It will serve paper
and board, architectural coatings, construction, adhesives, and fiber bonding
customers, located in northern and western India.
The integrated polyurethane manufacturing facility will host a
MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) splitter for
processing crude MDI, a core component in the manufacture of versatile
polyurethane products. They are used extensively for cold as well as heat
insulation applications and are the preferred material for improving safety in
transportation, and enhancing energy efficiency and comfort at home.
The site will also produce Elastollan® TPU
(Thermoplastic Polyurethane), Cellasto® (microcellular
polyurethane components) and Polyurethane Systems.
The integrated hub will support the demand of industries in the appliances,
footwear, automotive, construction, and furniture segment.
The site currently employs 200 people directly and 300 people indirectly. In the
near future, the site will offer direct employment opportunity to 50 additional
people. Supporting state-of-the-art environment, health and safety facilities,
the site has recorded zero lost-time injuries during construction.
2014-10-16 BASF
BASF to divest global textile chemicals
business to Archroma
Business
to become part of Archroma’s Textile Specialties
BASF’s
Performance Products segment further sharpens focus on growth-driven
customer industries
BASF and Archroma
have agreed on the sale of BASF’s global textile
chemicals business to Archroma, a supplier of specialty chemicals
to the textile, paper and emulsions industries. Archroma is a portfolio
company of SK Capital Partners, a private
investment firm with focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and
healthcare sectors. It is planned to integrate the business into the
Archroma Textile Chemicals Specialties business. Currently, the textile
chemicals business is part of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division. The
transaction is subject to approval by the relevant antitrust authorities
and the closing is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2015.
The parties have agreed not to disclose financial details.
The transaction
comprises the global textile chemicals business, as well as the legal
entity BASF Pakistan (Private) Ltd., Karachi. About 290 positions
globally are in the scope of the transaction, thereof approximately 230
in Asia. This step is in line with BASF’s strategy of actively managing
its portfolio and it will further sharpen the focus of the Performance
Products segment on growth driven customer industries.
“In a very
competitive and highly fragmented market, we have successfully
positioned the textile chemicals business as one of the leading global
textile suppliers. The current consolidation process of the industry
means that a critical mass is necessary to grow the business
successfully. We see positive future growth prospects for the business
under the umbrella of Archroma, building on the expertise and
professionalism of our textile chemicals team,” said Hans W. Reiners,
President of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division.
The textile
chemicals business of BASF offers solutions to the full textile
processing value chain, which includes a portfolio for pre-treatment,
printing, finishing and coating. The business has a global presence with
a strong focus on Asian growth markets, and is headquartered in
Singapore.
About
Archroma
Archroma はSK Capital Partners がClariant
からTextile Specialties、Paper Solutions、Emulsion Products の3事業を買収し、運営のため設立した。
Archroma has announced its official launch as a newly formed colour and
specialty chemicals company that comprises the former Textile
Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products businesses of
Clariant.
To be led by CEO Alexander Wessels, the newly recruited
senior leadership team will work closely with the current heads of the
three businesses acquired from Clariant.
“We’re open for business with a new name and a financially strong and
knowledgeable parent who believes in our technology, brand and leading
market positions,” said new CEO Alexander Wessels.
Smooth transition
The three businesses were acquired by SK Capital Partners, a US based
private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty
materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors.
“The transaction closing comes after a thorough preparation to ensure
a seamless transition of the businesses from Clariant to new ownership.
In addition, we believe that realigning the three businesses into a
single integrated, market-focused and dynamic company will benefit both
our employees and our customers,” commented Wessels.
“With SK Capital, we strengthen our business and further improve our
offering to our customers. We have all the right cards in our hand. We
know who we are and what we offer to our customers – innovation,
performance, technical expertise, quality, reliability, a global
footprint and a commitment to sustainability."
Customer and market focus
Archroma will be headquartered in Switzerland along with the
management team of Archroma’s Paper Solutions Business. The Textile
Specialties Business will be managed from Singapore and the Emulsion
Products Business from Brazil.
The company is positioned in fibres and fabrics, paper and packaging,
coatings, adhesives and construction end markets. It plans to continue
to develop colour and performance materials to serve its customers’
needs.
Textile Specialties
Archroma's Textile Specialties Business provides special chemicals
for pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing of textiles.
Product packages are said to enhance the properties of apparel and
other textiles in applications as diverse as high fashion, home textiles
and special technical textiles.
Paper Solutions
Archroma's Paper Solutions Business provides expertise in the
management of whiteness, colouration, special coatings and strength for
all kind of papers
By combining the company’s focused product range with the application
services of the paper experts globally, Archroma claims to have enhanced
both the optical and functional properties of paper.
Emulsion Products
Archroma’s Emulsion Products Business provides solutions for a wide
range of applications, including paints, adhesives and construction, as
well as textile, leather and paper industries.
The company reports an outstanding success of its Mowilith emulsions,
since the first patent was obtained in 1912.
- See more at: http://www.innovationintextiles.com/coating-laminating-bonding/archroma-acquires-three-businesses-from-clariant/#sthash.bbz4rehy.dpuf
2013/10/2 Archroma
Archroma acquires three businesses from
Clariant
Archroma has announced its official launch as a newly formed colour and
specialty chemicals company that comprises the former
Textile Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products businesses of
Clariant.
The three businesses were acquired by SK Capital
Partners, a US based private investment firm with a disciplined focus
on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors.
“The transaction closing comes after a thorough preparation to ensure a
seamless transition of the businesses from Clariant to new ownership. In
addition, we believe that realigning the three businesses into a single
integrated, market-focused and dynamic company will benefit both our
employees and our customers,” commented Wessels.
“With SK Capital, we strengthen our business and further improve our
offering to our customers. We have all the right cards in our hand. We know
who we are and what we offer to our customers – innovation, performance,
technical expertise, quality, reliability, a global footprint and a
commitment to sustainability."
Customer and market focus
Archroma will be headquartered in Switzerland along with the management team
of Archroma’s Paper Solutions Business. The Textile Specialties Business
will be managed from Singapore and the Emulsion Products Business from
Brazil.
The company is positioned in fibres and fabrics, paper and packaging,
coatings, adhesives and construction end markets. It plans to continue to
develop colour and performance materials to serve its customers’ needs.
Textile Specialties
Archroma's Textile Specialties Business
provides special chemicals for pre-treatment, dyeing, printing and finishing
of textiles.
Product packages are said to enhance the properties of apparel and other
textiles in applications as diverse as high fashion, home textiles and
special technical textiles.
Paper Solutions
Archroma's Paper Solutions Business provides
expertise in the management of whiteness, colouration, special coatings and
strength for all kind of papers
By combining the company’s focused product range with the application
services of the paper experts globally, Archroma claims to have enhanced
both the optical and functional properties of paper.
Emulsion Products
Archroma’s Emulsion Products Business provides
solutions for a wide range of applications, including paints, adhesives and
construction, as well as textile, leather and paper industries.
The company reports an outstanding success of its Mowilith emulsions, since
the first patent was obtained in 1912.
Dec 8, 2014
BASF to acquire TaiwanSheen
Soon台灣欣順, a leading manufacturer for TPU adhesives
Strategic
move to broaden BASF’s Performance Materials
product portfolio
Strengthening of BASF’s leadership for
thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU)
Stronger
synergies for further product innovation and
deeper engagement with customers
BASF has entered
into a definitive agreement to fully acquire the
business and assets in Taiwan and Mainland China of
Taiwan Sheen Soon (台灣欣順
“TWSS”), a leading manufacturer for thermoplastic
polyurethanes (“TPU”) adhesives base material.
“The acquisition
is part of our efforts to systematically pursue
growth in the attractive TPU market. It is a
valuable addition to our existing TPU portfolio;
strengthening our manufacturing footprint in Asia,”
said Mr Raimar Jahn, President, Performance
Materials, BASF. “As TWSS has been at the forefront
of TPU adhesives innovation, the acquisition is a
strategic move that will strengthen BASF’s
competences in this important growth field.”
The acquisition
of the adhesives business of TWSS complements BASF’s
established position in TPU extrusion as well as
injection molding grades for various segments, such
as footwear. An example of TPU application in the
footwear segment is the “Energy Boost” running shoe
from adidas, made with expanded TPU, which BASF
markets under the name Infinergy™.
With the
acquisition, the company will become an integrated
solution provider for TPU and TPU adhesives, which
enhances its value proposition to customers.
The acquisition
is expected to close in 2015, pending necessary
internal and external approvals. The integration
will take effect in 2015. The parties have agreed
not to disclose financial details of the agreement.
“TWSS’s cutting
edge and proven technologies enable us to offer
innovative solutions in a more integrated and
efficient manner. Accordingly, the acquisition will
greatly benefit our customers in short innovation
cycle segments such as shoes,” said Albert Heuser,
President, Greater China and Functions Asia Pacific,
BASF.
“TWSS’s unique
expertise for TPU adhesives is backed by established
long-standing customer relationships and a global
presence,” said Jason Chou, managing director and
owner of TWSS, who will continue to oversee the
business as a consultant to BASF. “TWSS’s existing
customers and employees will gain access to the full
portfolio of BASF products, technical expertise and
resources through this acquisition.”
With this
acquisition, BASF will secure and integrate all
existing assets, customers and employees into the
existing BASF legal entities and business. The
company will also ensure a smooth transition and
uninterrupted supply for customers.
Dec 29, 2014 BASF
Wintershall sells share in South Stream
Transport B.V.
BASF Group company Wintershall Holding GmbH today sold its 15-percent share in
South Stream Transport B.V. to OAO Gazprom.
As per the shareholders’ agreement, the purchase price reimburses the cash
invested by BASF. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
South Stream Transport B.V. was founded to construct the offshore portion of the
South Stream pipeline through the Black Sea.
The project stalled after Russian
President Vladimir Putin announced in early December that Moscow would
abandon the pipeline project.
Jan 21, 2015 BASF
BASF to increase capacity for
butanediol at its Geismar site
Global
capacity to increase to
670,000 metric tons of butanediol per
year
Six global
production sites
BASF will
increase its production capacities for the chemical
intermediate 1,4-butanediol (BDO) by 10% at its site
in Geismar/Louisiana as of 2016. The company will
then have a global capacity of BDO of 670,000 metric
tons per year. Additionally, BASF looks into further
measures to strengthen and to expand its BDO value
chain at the Geismar site. To increase the
capacities of BDO according to the steadily growing
customer demand, BASF continuously implements
measures to boost efficiency and improve
infrastructure at all its sites.
Besides its
Geismar site BASF is
producing BDO at its sites in
Ludwigshafen/Germany, Kuantan/Malaysia, Caojing/China
and Chiba/Japan.
In addition, a
new BDO site of a joint venture of BASF and the
Chinese company Xinjiang Markor is expected to
commence operations of 100,000
metric tons BDO per year by 2015.
“Being the
leading producer of BDO globally, we continue to
expand our production capacity step wise to support
the growth of our customers as a reliable partner”,
said Stefan Blank, President, BASF Intermediates
division.
BDO is used for
producing plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals
and elastic fibers. Depending on the production
technology, the starting materials for the
production of conventional BDO are natural gas,
coal, butane, butadiene and propylene.
Jan 26, 2017
BASF increases production capacity
of vitamin A
Expansion of
production capacity for vitamin A by 25 % in
Ludwigshafen, Germany
Reaction to
rising demand for its high-quality vitamin A
products as well as to global market growth
BASF increases
its production capacities for vitamin A
by 25 %. The company
has expanded an existing plant in Ludwigshafen,
Germany, which is part of BASF’s Citral Verbund.
With this capacity extension, BASF reacted to the
rising demand for its high-quality vitamin A
products, as well as to the global market growth.
Additional capacities are available immediately.
Vitamin A is an essential and fat-soluble
micronutrient. It is used by the human and animal
nutrition industries in feed and food products, and
also by the personal care sector. Vitamin A
supports, for example, the function of the eyes,
lungs and skin. It also helps to prevent growth
disorders and supports skeletal development.
“With our vitamin
portfolio, we are leaders in supply reliability and
high quality: Our vitamin A stands out thanks to
exceptional product stability and bio-availability.
This capacity increase shows our commitment to the
growing vitamin A market”, said Dr. Christopher
Rieker, who heads BASF’s Animal Nutrition business.
In animal
nutrition, Vitamin A is used as a feed additive in
all types of feed for livestock and companion
animals. In human nutrition, vitamin A is used in
supplements and to fortify foods and beverages. The
BASF product portfolio includes a broad range of
fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. BASF also
offers vitamins A/D3, D3, K1,
B2, B5, E and Choline
Chloride.
BASF電子材料ビジネスユニットのシニア・バイスプレジデントである Dr.
ローター・ラウピヒラーは次のように述べています。「BASFはアジアにおけるエレクトロニクス産業の発展とともに投資を行い、市場での確固たる地位を築いてきました。台湾市場へのさらなる投資は、BASFが顧客に対してより一層身近な存在となり、顧客独自のニーズに対応した効果的なソリューションを迅速に提供することで、市場展開が速く競争の激しい国際市場において顧客とともに成長・成功を実現しようとするBASFの姿勢を表したものです。」
Yara International and BASF Group
have agreed to build a world scale ammonia plant at BASF's site in
Freeport, Texas. The plant will use hydrogen as raw material, reducing
capital expenditures (capex), maintenance and carbon dioxide emissions
significantly.
"I am very pleased to
announce this highly value creating project together with BASF. The use
of hydrogen as raw material reduces capex, maintenance and carbon
dioxide emissions significantly. This project will further strengthen
Yara's position in the global ammonia market and increase our footprint
in the United States. I would like to thank BASF for putting trust in
Yara and we look forward to a long and good relationship," said Torgeir
Kvidal, president and CEO of Yara International.
"Through the joint
investment with Yara, we can take advantage of world-scale production
economics and the attractive raw material costs in the United States. We
will thus strengthen our Freeport Verbund and the competitiveness of our
polyamide 6 value chain in the region. We look forward to a successful
partnership with Yara," said Wayne T. Smith, member of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF SE, responsible for the Chemicals segment.
The ammonia plant
will be owned 68 percent by Yara and 32 percent by
BASF and located on BASF's site in
Freeport. The plant will have a capacity of about
750,000 metric tons per year. Each party will off-take ammonia
from the plant in accordance with its equity share. Total capital
investment for the plant is estimated at
USD 600 million. Yara will in addition build an ammonia tank at
the BASF terminal bringing Yara's total investment to USD 490 million.
BASF will in addition upgrade its current terminal and pipeline assets.
The hydrogen
technology reduces capex and maintenance significantly compared to a
traditional natural gas based ammonia plant. The technology also allows
for lower carbon dioxide emissions. A long-term supply agreement for
nitrogen and hydrogen has been signed with Praxair Inc, the largest
industrial gases company in North America, linking the feedstock
variable cost to the advantageous natural gas prices available at the
U.S. Gulf coast.
KBR, Inc, Houston,
Texas, has been awarded a fixed price turnkey contract for the
engineering, procurement and construction. The plant is expected to be
completed by the end of 2017. Yara will manage construction of the plant
while BASF will operate the plant and the export terminal.
Yara International ASA
はノルウェーに本社を置く世界最大の窒素肥料メーカーである。主要事業領域は尿素、硝酸塩、アンモニアといった窒素化合物を主とした窒素肥料の製造、販売。
The company was established as Norsk Hydro – the world’s first producer of
mineral nitrogen fertilizers – in 1905.
In 2004, Hydro Agri demerged from Norsk
Hydro and became an independent company called Yara International ASA. The
company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange on March 25, 2004.
February 23, 2015
BASF, Petronas to build 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid plant in Kuantan
Petronas Chemicals Group Bhd has teamed up with German chemical firm BASF SE to
build a new production plant for 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid, at the site of their
existing joint venture BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn Bhd in Kuantan, Pahang.
In a joint statement today, BASF and Petronas said the construction of the
plant, which will be the first of its kind in Asean, is expected to commence in
the second quarter of this year.
The plant, which has a total annual capacity of 30,000 tonnes of 2-Ethylhexanoic
Acid, is expected to start production in the fourth quarter of 2016, and will
benefit
2-Ethylhexanoic Acid is a chemical intermediate used as a compound, for example
in the production of synthetic lubricants, as well as oil additives. It is also
used for functional fluids like automotive coolants, metal salts for paint
dryers, plasticisers, stabilisers, catalysts and other applications in various
industries.
BASF currently operates a 2-Ethylhexanoic Acid production plant at its Verbund
system site in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
In addition to the proposed plant, BASF Petronas is building an integrated aroma
ingredients complex at its Kuantan site for the manufacturing of citronellol,
L-menthol, as well as citral and its precursors which are widely used in flavour
and fragrance industry.
Groundbreaking for the US$500 million (RM 1.82 billion) integrated aroma
ingredients complex was done in April 2014, and the first plant is scheduled to
come onstream in 2016.
Mar 5, 2015
BASF now offers bio-based PolyTHF
Properties
identical to conventional PolyTHF
Extends
range of products based on renewable raw
materials
Opportunity
for customers to test new market segments
BASF has made
bio-based Polytetrahydrofuran 1000 (PolyTHF®
1000) available for the first time. The company is
now providing this intermediate to selected partners
for testing various applications in a large scale.
“The bio-based PolyTHF 1000 is identical in quality
to the petrochemical-based product,” said Andrej
Brejc, Director Renewable Diols from BASF’s
Intermediates division, adding, “The opportunity to
expand the range of products and applications made
from renewable raw materials allows us and our
partners to further explore the long-term market
acceptance of this innovative technology.” PolyTHF
is derived from 1,4 butanediol
(BDO), which BASF has produced
under license from Genomatica.
Genomaticaが開発した植物を原料に1,4-ブタンジオールを製造する技術
May 10,
2013
BASF
licenses Genomatica’s BDO process
BASF plans to begin production of 1,4-butanediol
based on renewable feedstock (renewable BDO)
using the patented process of Genomatica, San
Diego, California. The one-step fermentation
process is based on sugars as a renewable
feedstock. The companies have agreed not to
disclose financial details of the agreement.
The license agreement allows BASF to build a
world-scale production facility that will use
the Genomatica process to manufacture BDO based
on renewable feedstock. Under the terms of the
agreement, Genomatica will continue to advance
its patented renewable BDO production process
technology based on sugars while BASF will
produce renewable BDO, which will be available
in the second half of 2013 for sampling and
trials.
BASF is the
world’s leading provider of PolyTHF. It is primarily
used to make elastic spandex fibers for a large
variety of textiles, including underwear, outerwear,
sportswear and swimsuits. PolyTHF 1000 is mainly
applied as a chemical building block for
thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which is used to
make for example parts of ski boots and skates, shoe
soles and instrument panel skin for automotive
applications as well as hoses, films and cable
sheathing. It is also used as a component of
thermoplastic polyetheresters and polyetheramides.
Other applications include cast elastomers, which
are used, for example, for the production of wheels
for skateboards and inline skates.
May 7, 2015
BASF to focus pharmaceutical
ingredients business on its core expertise
Planned sale
of its custom synthesis business and parts of
its active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
business to Siegfried Holding AG
Ibuprofen,
omega-3 fatty acids and polyethylenglycol remain
a key part of BASF’s portfolio
Targeted
transaction comprises production sites in
Minden, Germany; Evionnaz, Switzerland; and
Saint-Vulbas, France
BASF plans to
focus its pharmaceutical ingredients & services
business within the Nutrition & Health division on
its core expertise in pharmaceutical excipients. To
implement this decision, BASF intends
to divest its custom synthesis
business and parts of its current active
pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) business to
Siegfried Holding AG. These include APIs such
as ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and caffeine.
BASF’s leading excipient portfolio and selected
APIs, such as ibuprofen,
omega-3 fatty acids and polyethylenglycol (PEG),
where the company has a leading market position,
will remain part of BASF’s portfolio.
The intended
divestiture is still subject to the successful
completion of processes required by applicable law,
including consultations with employee
representations and the approval of the competent
merger control authorities.
The transaction
comprises the divestment of BASF’s production sites
in Minden, Germany; Evionnaz, Switzerland; and
Saint-Vulbas, France. The enterprise value is
approximately €270 million.
About 850 positions globally are in the scope of the
transaction. BASF and Siegfried intend to transfer
all affected employees to the acquiring company.
“BASF’s highly
skilled team and its competitive plants for active
pharmaceutical ingredients and custom synthesis will
give the new owner a strong market position and will
create additional value,” said Michael Heinz, Member
of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE, and
responsible for the Performance Products segment,
which includes the Nutrition & Health division. This
segment bundles BASF’s businesses with chemicals
that improve the properties of many different
end-user products. “This step is in line with BASF’s
strategy of actively managing its portfolio and it
will further sharpen the focus of the Performance
Products segment on growth and high margin core
businesses,” said Heinz.
“With this
divestiture, we are focusing our portfolio on
strategic growth areas in the pharmaceutical
industry,” said Saori Dubourg, President of BASF’s
Nutrition & Health division.
Siegfried CEO Dr.
Rudolf Hanko: “Through this acquisition, Siegfried
will reach the critical size to play a leading role
in the supplier market as a recognized partner for
the pharmaceutical industry. This acquisition
demonstrates the growth potential for the Siegfried
Group.”
BASF is a leading
solution provider and innovator in excipients for
the pharmaceutical industry. BASF’s key objective is
that customers continue to receive the high quality
and reliable supply of products in the transition
phase to Siegfried. Therefore, BASF is rendering
transitional services to ensure a smooth and
seamless business transfer for both customers and
employees.
Jun 3, 2015 Reuters
BASF mulls potential bid for Syngenta
German chemicals group BASF SE is considering a potential offer for Syngenta AG,
its Swiss rival which has received a $45 billion takeover offer from Monsanto Co
, people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.
BASF is speaking to investment bankers about
the possibility of an offer for Syngenta, though it has made no decision and no
bid may materialize, the people said, asking not to be identified because the
deliberations are confidential.
Syngenta has so far spurned Monsanto's overtures citing antitrust hurdles,
though lawyers representing the two companies met last week in New York to
discuss whether the regulatory obstacles can be overcome, a separate source
said. A BASF bid for Syngenta would also likely face significant antitrust
issues.
BASF, Syngenta and Monsanto declined to comment.
BASF, the world’s largest chemicals group by sales, is also developing improved
plant characteristics such as drought tolerability but relies on partners, the
biggest being Monsanto, to bring finished seed products to market. Other
partners of BASF’s plant biotechnology business, which does not disclose sales,
include Bayer AG and Cargill Inc.
BASF’s crop chemicals division with 5.4 billion Euros in 2014 sales, commands
about 11 percent of the global crop chemicals market, in third place after
Syngenta and Bayer. Any tie-up with the Swiss group would be expected to trigger
considerable antitrust related asset sales.
BASF is also a potential buyer of Syngenta's seed business should Monsanto agree
to a deal with Syngenta and then sell its seed business to allay antitrust
concerns, sources have previously told Reuters.
The German group, which has oil and gas operations and makes products including
coatings, catalytic converters and super absorbers for diapers, trades at about
8.4 times core earnings compared with Syngenta’s multiple of 15.9, according to
StarMine data.
2015/6/18 BASF
BASF breaks ground on new, world-scale
chemical catalysts manufacturing plant in Caojing, Shanghai
-Strengthens global manufacturing
footprint and customer proximity in Asia
-Production of base metal catalysts,
custom catalysts and adsorbents to meet growing regional demand
-Manufacturing start up planned for Q4
2016
BASF, the world’s leading chemical
company, broke ground today on a new, world-scale chemical catalysts
production facility at the company’s existing site in the
Shanghai Chemical Industry Park in Caojing, Shanghai,
China.
The new plant – BASF’s first process catalysts manufacturing facility in
Asia Pacific – will produce base metal catalysts, custom catalysts and
adsorbents 吸着剤 to meet growing Chinese and Asian market demand. These
catalysts are used in the production of fatty
alcohols, sulfuric acid and butanediol and for the removal of impurities
from olefins.
“Today’s groundbreaking event is a
significant milestone in our effort to strengthen our manufacturing
footprint in Asia Pacific and improve our proximity to customers in the
fastest growing region for our base metal and custom catalysts solutions,”
said Detlef Ruff, BASF’s Senior Vice President, Process Catalysts. “This new
facility will be integrated into our global chemical catalysts manufacturing
infrastructure allowing us to support strong regional demand growth while
increasing our manufacturing capacity and overall production efficiencies.”
The launch of manufacturing activities at
the Caojing plant is planned for the fourth quarter of 2016. Once operating
at full capacity, the plant will create 75 new jobs.
The Caojing plant is designed in a highly
automated and energy efficient manner, offering the opportunity for future
expansion and the flexibility to adapt to new customer production
requirements in the years ahead.
2015/6/19
Gazprom, E.ON, Shell and OMV in Nord
Stream Boost
Gazprom, E.ON, Royal Dutch Shell and OMV
have signed Memorandums of Intent specifying the cooperation among the companies
within the project for constructing the gas transmission infrastructure for
direct supply of Russian gas to European consumers.
The documents were signed yesterday, June 18,
2015 within the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2015.
The Memorandum reflects the parties’ intent
to implement a project for the construction of two gas pipeline strings from the
Russian coast to the German coast via the Baltic Sea. The capacity of the new
gas pipeline will reach 55 billion cubic meters a year.
Considering the drop in domestic gas
production in Europe as well as the global growth in gas demand, the parties
pointed out the need to create new infrastructure to secure reliable supplies of
the eco-friendly fuel to European consumers.
In the near future the parties will launch
the incorporation of a joint project company. They are planning to draw on the
positive experience and best practices of Nord Stream AG obtained by the company
since 2012, including the completed pre-investment study.
---
Platts 2015/6/26
Gazprom expects BASF/Wintershall to join Nord
Stream-2 gas line project by September
Gazprom expects a fourth European company,
BASF/Wintershall, to join a project to build two new gas pipelines across the
Baltic Sea to Europe by September, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said Friday.
"The talks with BASF/Wintershall will continue in July. We expect it will join
[the project] by September so to become a shareholder in the joint venture,
which we plan to set up by the end of the third quarter," Miller said.
Last week, Gazprom, E.ON, Shell and Austria's OMV
signed memorandums of understanding to build the third and fourth lines of the
Nord Stream gas pipeline, to double its current capacity of 55 Bcm/year.
Gazprom will hold a 51% stake in the project, while European companies will have
the remaining interest, Miller said.
"Based on this, Wintershall may receive between 9% and 15-15.5%," he said,
speaking to reporters.
BASF to set up new global business
unit combining all pigments activities
BASF intends
to establish separate legal entities for the
pigments business
New
organization enables the business to better
adapt to the challenges in the pigments industry
BASF will form a
global business unit (GBU) combining all of its
pigments activities effective January 2016. In the
second half of 2016, BASF intends to carve out its
pigments business and establish separate legal
entities.
With sales of
about €1 billion in 2014 and 2,500 employees
globally, BASF holds a leading position in the
pigments market, offering the broadest portfolio of
products and technology. The new GBU will likely be
headquartered in the Ludwigshafen area. All
employees who are dedicated to the pigments business
will be transferred to the new GBU.
“We have achieved
and maintained a leading position in the pigments
market through acquisitions and a series of
successful restructuring measures. The new global
business unit will fully concentrate on the pigments
business and thus be even more focused on supporting
the needs of our pigments customers,” said Dr.
Markus Kramer, President of BASF’s Dispersions &
Pigments division.
Dr. Alexander
Haunschild, Senior Vice President of the regional
business unit Pigments and Resins Europe and
appointed head of the GBU, stated: “By creating an
organization fully dedicated to pigments, we will
adapt better to the challenges in the pigments
industry. Our customers will benefit from tailored
services and higher responsiveness.”
BASF’s pigments
business serves a variety of industries including
paints & coatings, printing & packaging and
plastics. The portfolio comprises of color pigments
such as phthalocyanines, high performance pigments,
azo pigments, effect pigments, inorganic pigments,
dyes and pigment preparations.
BASF is the leading global supplier of raw materials
for the paints and coatings industry. The
Dispersions & Pigments division combines all BASF
products geared toward this industry. The portfolio
encompasses dispersions, pigments, resins and a
broad range of additives, such as performance and
formulation additives. Further end-user industries
include construction materials, adhesives, printing
and packaging, automotive and electronic specialties
as well as plastic products. Our portfolio is
especially strong with environmentally friendly
systems, such as low-volatile organic compound (VOC)
water-based coatings.
Dispersions
Polymer dispersions are water-based systems used in
the production of adhesives, sealants, architectural
coatings, construction chemicals and non-woven
materials. Our strength lies in our backward
integration into acrylics and the division’s strong
technical expertise and application know-how.
Pigments
Pigments are insoluble coloring and iridescent
materials used in paints, inks and special
applications. BASF is the leading pigment supplier
worldwide, with a particular strength in
high-performance pigments. Our product portfolio
comprises a wide range of organic and inorganic
pigments, effect pigments, and pigment preparations.
BASF offers a unique portfolio covering the entire
color range.
The main end-user industries are:
Automotive coatings
Decorative paints and industrial coatings
Printing and packaging
Electronic specialties
Plastics
Resins
Resins are film-forming components used in
energy-curable coatings, urethane or melamine as
well as water-based coatings and inks. The
comprehensive product portfolio includes water-based
resins, acrylic oligomers, polyisocyanates, amino
resins, aldehyde resins, dimers, vinyl chloride
copolymers, and high-solid polyols.
We offer customer solutions fulfilling regulatory
requirements regarding VOC. The main applications
are:
Automotive coatings
Wood coatings
Protective coatings
Printing and packaging
Additives
BASF offers a broad range of additives that
significantly improve the quality and performance of
many paints and coatings. BASF is the market leader
for performance additives particularly in the
following areas:
Photoinitiators
Light stabilizers
BASF’s market position
Dispersions: No. 2 globally for adhesives,
construction chemicals, architectural coatings and
fiber bonding materials
Pigments: No. 1 globally, broadest portfolio of
colors and chemical product classes
Resins: No. 1 globally in water-based resins for
printing and packaging
Additives: No. 1 globally in photoinitiators and
light stabilizers, broad portfolio of formulation
additives
Yara International-BASF Begin Construction Of Ammonia Plant In Freeport, Texas
Yara International ASA and BASF started construction on its approximately
$600 million world scale ammonia plant at the
BASF site in Freeport, Texas.
As part of the project, Yara will build an ammonia tank at the BASF terminal and
BASF will upgrade its current terminal and pipeline assets for the export of
ammonia from the new plant.
The plant will have a capacity of about 750,000 metric
tons per year and will be owned 68 percent by Yara
and 32 percent by BASF. Each party will off-take ammonia from the plant
in accordance with its equity share.
BASF will use its share of ammonia from the plant
to produce caprolactam, a key ingredient in the
manufacture of nylons for carpet, textiles, film, monofilaments, and wire and
cable.
Yara will market the remainder mostly to
industrial customers in North America, in addition to supplying the agricultural
sector, company officials said.
"I am very pleased to be here today, initiating the construction of an important
investment for Yara – alongside our partners at BASF, the North American
affiliate of Germany-based BASF SE. The building of the Freeport Ammonia plant
is a firm demonstration of how we deliver on our growth strategy," said Torgeir
Kvidal, President/CEO of Yara.
"BASF is in a period of significant investment in North America," said Wayne T.
Smith, Chairman/CEO of BASF Corporation and member of the Board of Executive
Directors of BASF SE. "Through the joint investment with Yara, we can take
advantage of world-scale production economics and the attractive raw material
costs in the United States; strengthening our operations in Freeport and the
competitiveness of our customer value chain in the region."
The hydrogen based process that will be used in the new plant significantly
reduces capital expenditures and maintenance compared to a traditional natural
gas based ammonia plant, company officials said. A long-term supply agreement
for nitrogen and hydrogen has been signed with Praxair Inc, the largest
industrial gases company in North America, linking the feedstock variable cost
to the advantageous natural gas prices available at the U.S. Gulf coast.
Yara International ASAはノルウェーに本社を置く世界最大の窒素肥料メーカー。主要事業領域は尿素、硝酸塩、アンモニアといった窒素化合物を主とした窒素肥料の製造、販売である。
BASF and Gazprom
have agreed to complete the swap of assets with
equivalent value signed in December 2013 and
originally intended to be completed by the end of
2014. With the swap, BASF will further expand its
production of oil and gas and will exit the gas
trading and storage business. The completion of the
asset swap is expected by the end of 2015 and, as
agreed upon in December 2013, will be
financially retroactive to
April 1, 2013. The swap was already approved
by the European Commission at the beginning of
December 2013.
Through the
transaction, Wintershall,
a 100% subsidiary of BASF, receives the
economic equivalent of 25%
plus one share of the blocks IV and V in the Achimov
formation of the Urengoy natural gas and
condensate field in western Siberia. The two blocks
will be jointly developed by Gazprom and Wintershall.
According to the development plan confirmed by the
Russian mining authority, blocks IV and V have total
hydrocarbon resources of 274 billion cubic meters of
natural gas and 74 million metric tons of
condensate. This is equivalent to a total of 2.4
billion barrels of oil equivalent (boe). An annual
plateau production of at least 8 billion cubic
meters of natural gas is expected from the two
blocks. Production is planned to start in 2018.
In return,
Wintershall will transfer its share in the currently
jointly operated natural gas trading and storage
business to its long-term partner Gazprom. This
includes the 50% participation in the gas trading
companies WINGAS, WIEH
(Wintershall Erdgas Handelshaus Berlin) and
WIEE (Wintershall
Erdgas Handelshaus Zug) including shares in astora,
which operates the natural gas storage facilities in
Rehden and Jemgum, Germany, as well as a share in
the natural gas storage in Haidach, Austria.
Gazprom will also receive a
50% share in the activities of Wintershall Noordzee
B.V., which is active in the exploration and
production of oil and gas in the southern North Sea
(Netherlands, UK and Denmark). Together these
activities contributed about €12.2 billion to sales
and around €260 million to EBITDA of BASF Group in
2014 and about €7.2 billion to sales and around
€240 million to EBITDA of BASF Group in the first
half of 2015. The partnership in the area of gas
transportation activities will continue.
“In Oil & Gas, we
are continuing our strategy of focusing on
profitable growth at the source in our targeted oil
and gas-rich regions,” said Dr. Kurt Bock, Chairman
of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE. “We
look forward to further expanding the joint
production of natural gas and condensate with our
partner Gazprom in western Siberia.”
“This year marks
the 25th anniversary of our
successful partnership. Today’s signing
represents a further milestone in this cooperation
and will open new possibilities for our companies to
implement important projects,” said Alexey Miller,
Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee.
Dr.
トーマス・グローサーは、さらに次のように述べています。「パーソナルケア市場のお客様の多くが、サステナビリティに関する国際的な要件の実現を掲げています。例えば、製品の製造に持続可能な原材料を用いるよう努力しています。市場におけるすべての利害関係者が協力して取り組み、持続可能なパーム油や、パーム核油の製造ならびに使用を促進させながら、経済発展を後押ししていくことは、共同責任であると私たちは考えています。RSPO認証を受けた製品を生産することは、BASFの戦略において不可欠な要素である持続可能な事業のニーズを満たす上で、重要なステップのひとつです。」
*RSPO認証パーム油と非認証パーム油の混合を可能にする、原産地追跡可能な認証システム
Oct 12, 2015
BASF and SINOPEC inaugurate world-scale isononanol plant in Maoming, China
広東省茂名市
First isononanol (INA) plant in China to
serve growing demand for next-generation plasticizers
Annual production capacity of 180,000 metric tons of INA
Another milestone in BASF and SINOPEC’s long-term partnership
BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical
Corporation (SINOPEC) today inaugurated their world-scale
isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming Hi-tech
Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. The plant will be run by
BASF MPCC Company Limited (BMC), which is a 50-50
joint venture between BASF and SINOPEC. It has an annual capacity of
180,000 metric tons. This is the first INA plant in
China and will serve the growing demand for next-generation plasticizers.
“The establishment of this plant is a perfect example of co-creation, bringing
together the expertise of SINOPEC and BASF. This is also an important milestone
for BASF because it helps us reach our own strategic goals. We are aiming to
bring more of our production to the Asia Pacific region, where we will be closer
to our direct customers and more closely in tune with the needs and the
developments of key markets. Our midterm goal is that 75 percent of what we sell
in this region is also produced in this region,” said Albert Heuser, President
Functions Asia Pacific, President & Chairman Greater China, BASF.
“MPCC is one of the largest refining companies in SINOPEC, with excellent
economic performance that matches the foremost enterprises of the SINOPEC group.
As the leading chemical company, BASF brings both technological and economic
strengths. With this cooperation, the resources of the two partners complement
each other, creating a win-win strategic fit that will boost the growth of both
companies,” said Yu Xizhi, Chairman of BMC.
INA is used for the production of diisononyl phthalate (DINP),
a high molecular weight phthalate plasticizer. High
molecular weight phthalate plasticizers have more favorable toxicological
properties compared to low molecular weight phthalate plasticizers. The ongoing
substitution of the low molecular weight phthalate plasticizers in the market by
high molecular weight phthalates like DINP is expected to drive the demand for
INA in the upcoming years. DINP is widely used as a plasticizer in industrial
applications such as automotive, wires and cables, floorings, building and
construction.
BASF and SINOPEC maintain a long-term partnership and jointly operate BASF-YPC
Co. Ltd., a 50-50 joint venture formed in 2000 between BASF and SINOPEC in
Nanjing, China.
2014/1/24
BASF and SINOPEC break ground on
world-scale isononanol plant
BASF and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SINOPEC) broke ground today
on the construction of its world-scale isononanol (INA) plant in Maoming
Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone, Maoming, China. At start-up in 2015,
the plant, which is the first of its kind in China, will serve the
increasing market demand for next-generation plasticizers.
A newly-formed 50-50 joint venture company has been
created, BASF MPCC Company Limited.
2015/12/2 Rubber and Plastics News
BASF to purchase Lanxess' business line
BASF S.E. has signed an agreement to purchase
Lanxess A.G.'s polyisobutene business, consisting
of mainly intellectual property for a new
technology to produce high molecular weight polyisobutene.
Lanxess said it will manufacture the new HM PIB line exclusively for BASF under
a long-term toll manufacturing agreement, and BASF
will market the product under the name Oppanol N, a BASF brand for HM PIB.
Neither firm would disclose financial terms of the deal or the length of the
toll manufacturing agreement. BASF said its other polyisobutene offerings will
not be affected. It does not operate any PIB manufacturing facilities in North
America.
“The acquired technology provides an excellent opportunity of BASF to jointly
grow together with our customers,” Martin Widmann, senior vice president of
BASF's Fuel and Lubricant Solutions unit, said in a statement. “The transaction
will result in enhanced security of HM PIB supply, and it provides the basis for
long-term oriented sustainable growth with high quality products for a broad
range of applications.”
A BASF spokesman said the company is a leader in the field of polyisobutene.
Capacity constraints have restricted further growth of the global HM PIB market,
but the acquisition puts BASF in a position to increase its supply capabilities
and provide further security to supply the global market.
“HM PIB is used in a broad range of applications and industries,” the spokesman
said in an email. “One example is roofing membranes used within the construction
industry. Another example is the use as a raw material for adhesives and
sealants.”
Oppanol has strong adhesion properties and well-balanced elasticity, making it
suitable for pressure sensitive and hot melt adhesives in addition to many kinds
of sealants, the spokesman said. Polyisobutene-based adhesive systems are very
effective even on lightly soiled surfaces because of their high-oil absorption
capacity and their ability to bind fillers.
BASF said it has more than 75 years of manufacturing PIB. The firm reported
sales of more than $82.7 billion in 2014, with about 113,000 employees
worldwide.
Lanxess is a specialty chemicals manufacturer that employs about 16,300 in 29
countries with 52 production sites worldwide. It reported 2014 sales of about $9
billion.
2016/2/17
BASF、工業用塗料事業をAkzo
Nobel に売却予定
BASFとアクゾノーベル社が基本合意
自動車用塗料事業におけるリーディングポジションを継続して拡大
BASF signs agreement to acquire
automotive refinish coatings assets of Guangdong Yinfan Chemistry
廣東銀帆化學
Complementary product portfolio and customer
base to boost BASF’s automotive refinish
coatings business in China and Asia Pacific
Stronger
local production footprint to enhance customer
proximity with wider product portfolio in
different market segments
BASF has signed
an agreement to acquire the assets of Guangdong
Yinfan Chemistry Co., Ltd. (“Yinfan”) in China. With
this acquisition, BASF will establish a stronger
coatings production footprint by gaining access to a
state-of-the-art automotive refinish coatings plant
in China. It will also enable BASF to broaden its
automotive refinish portfolio in Asia Pacific by
adding the Yinfan line of products to its successful
global brands including Glasurit®, R-M®,
baslac® and Norbin®.
“The acquisition
underlines our strong commitment to growing our
automotive coatings business and further investing
in emerging markets,” said Markus Kamieth, President
of BASF’s Coatings division. “With this acquisition,
we will broaden our portfolio and gain access to a
strong distribution network, which will strengthen
our position in the fast-growing Chinese automotive
aftermarket.”
The closing is
expected in the second half of 2016, subject to
necessary regulatory, statutory and other approvals.
Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial
details of the transaction.
Apr 22, 2016
BASF to divest global Polyolefin Catalysts business to W.R. Grace & Co.
Agreement has been reached and signed
Targeted transaction comprises production plants in Pasadena, Texas, and
Tarragona, Spain
BASF has signed an agreement to sell its
global Polyolefin Catalysts business to
W.R. Grace & Co. Currently, the Polyolefin
Catalysts business is part of BASF’s Catalysts division. BASF and Grace intend
to complete the transaction in the third quarter of 2016.
The targeted transaction includes technologies, patents, trademarks and the
transfer of BASF’s production plants in Pasadena, Texas,
and Tarragona, Spain. It is intended that approximately 170 employees
globally will also transfer to Grace.
The planned divestiture remains subject to the required consultation with
employee representatives and certain regulatory approvals.
“This sale was the best course of action for both the Catalysts division and for
the long-term interests of the Polyolefin Catalysts business and its employees,”
said Kenneth Lane, President, Catalysts division, BASF.
“With this divestiture, we will continue to sharpen our focus on key growth
areas, including our Chemical Catalysts and Refinery Catalysts businesses,” said
Lane.
Jun 17, 2016
BASF to acquire global surface treatment provider Chemetall
Leading global surface treatment business
will complement BASF’s Coatings portfolio
Acquisition will significantly enhance BASF Coatings’ position as a complete
solutions provider to global customers
BASF has signed an agreement to acquire
Albemarle’s global surface treatment business, Chemetall.
The purchase price is $3.2 billion. The transaction is subject to approval by
the relevant authorities and is expected to close by the end of 2016.
Chemetall is a global technology and innovation leader in the
metals surface treatment market, and is headquartered in Frankfurt,
Germany. It has approximately 2,500 employees globally, and operates 21
production sites in more than 20 countries, as well as 10 R&D locations and 24
sales offices. For the full calendar year of 2015, its sales were $845 million.
“Chemetall offers a strong strategic fit for our coatings business, and supports
BASF’s aim to grow profitably in downstream, innovation and solution-focused
businesses,” said Wayne T. Smith, member of the Board of Executive Directors of
BASF SE, responsible for the Coatings division.
Chemetall develops and manufactures customized technology and system solutions
for surface treatment. Their products protect metals from corrosion, facilitate
forming and machining, allow parts to be optimally prepared for the painting
process and ensure proper coating adhesion. These chemicals are used in a wide
range of industries and end-markets, primarily automotive, aerospace, coil, and
metal forming.
“Chemetall complements our current portfolio by adding the highly attractive
surface treatment business to our coatings offerings. We look forward to joining
forces with Chemetall’s industry-leading expert team to further advance
innovation and know-how-driven surface technologies for our customers around the
world,” said Markus Kamieth, President of BASF’s Coatings division.
Dec 14, 2016 BASF
BASF completes acquisition of
Chemetall
BASF has completed its acquisition of
Albemarle’s global surface treatment business,
Chemetall. Through this acquisition, BASF’s
Coatings division expands its portfolio to
become a more complete solutions provider.
BASF combines
its know-how in chemistry and coatings
applications with Chemetall’s market-leading
expertise in surface treatment. The combined
businesses will benefit from each other’s global
infrastructure, scale and market access, driving
new growth opportunities by offering an
unmatched solutions competence to customers.
BASF SE plans to remove more than 200 million pounds
of annual capacity for nylon feedstock caprolactam in Europe in the next 18
months.
The move is being made to strengthen BASF’s nylon 6 value chain in a difficult
market environment, officials with the firm in Ludwigshafen, Germany, said in a
Sept. 12 news release. After the cuts, BASF still will have almost 900 million
pounds of annual caprolactam production capacity in the region.
The realigned production structure “gives [BASF] greater flexibility in managing
our capacities,” polyamides and precursors Europe head Joachim Queisser said in
the release.
All of the caprolactam capacity to be closed is located at four plants at BASF’s
flagship site in Ludwigshafen. Those plants now will be fully or partially
closed. Eighty workers from those plants will be reassigned to other positions
in Ludwigshafen.
Nov 16, 2016
BASF plans a stepwise capacity
increase of its North American MDI production
BASF to
support continued growth of regional MDI market
Engineering
for capacity increase of MDI unit at Geismar,
Louisiana, site has begun
Latest
proprietary technologies ensure best-in-class
productivity and energy efficiency
BASF has started
engineering for a stepwise capacity increase of its
methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)
production facilities at the company’s Verbund site
in Geismar, Louisiana.
Capacity will be increased incrementally
from 300,000 metric tons per year to around 600,000
metric tons per year.
“The engineering
for the capacity increase of the MDI synthesis has
already started. In subsequent steps, which will be
implemented in alignment with business development,
the MDI precursor units in Geismar will be expanded
accordingly,” said Stefano Pigozzi, President of
BASF’s Monomers division. “The usage of latest
proprietary technologies will ensure best-in-class
productivity and energy efficiency.”
Stefan Doerr,
head of the regional business unit Monomers North
America, added: “With this investment, BASF will
support the growth of its North American customers.
Our existing infrastructure at the Geismar site
combined with the competitive raw materials based on
shale gas make the Geismar site ideally suited for
this investment. The experienced BASF team at the
site will ensure smooth implementation of the
project.”
MDI is an
important component for polyurethanes – an extremely
versatile plastics material. It contributes to
improved insulation, provides lighter materials for
cars, and helps save energy in buildings.
Dec 15, 2016
BASF
BASF
completes sale of its industrial
coatings businesses to AkzoNobel
BASF has completed the
sale of its
global industrial
coatings businesses
to AkzoNobel. The
transaction includes
technologies, patents
and trademarks, as well
as the transfer of
dedicated production
sites in Deeside, United
Kingdom, and
Vanderbijlpark, South
Africa.
As a result of this
transaction, AkzoNobel
will now operate the
global coil, furniture
foil and panel coatings,
wind coatings and
general industry
businesses acquired from
BASF, as well as the
commercial transport
business in EMEA. These
businesses generated
sales of approximately
€300 million in 2015.
BASF’s automotive OEM
and automotive refinish
coatings businesses, as
well as its decorative
paints business with its
leading brand Suvinil®
in Brazil, remain part
of BASF’s Coatings
division. In addition,
BASF recently completed
the acquisition of
Chemetall, a leading
global supplier of
applied surface
treatments, which is now
also part of the
Coatings division.
About BASF’s Coatings
division
The Coatings division of
BASF is a global expert
in the development,
production and marketing
of innovative and
sustainable automotive
OEM and refinish
coatings, as well as
decorative paints. We
create advanced
performance solutions
and drive performance,
design and new
applications to meet our
partners’ needs all over
the world. BASF shares
skills, knowledge and
resources of
interdisciplinary and
global teams for the
benefit of customers by
operating a
collaborative network of
sites in Europe, North
America, South America
and Asia Pacific. In
2015, the Coatings
division achieved global
sales of about €3.2
billion.
In 2016, BASF acquired
Chemetall, a leading
global supplier of
applied surface
treatments for metal,
plastic and glass
substrates in a wide
range of industries and
end markets. With this
expansion in portfolio,
BASF becomes a more
complete solution
provider for coatings.
Jul 13, 2017 BASF
BASF introduces first new class of
public health insecticide for malaria prevention in more than 30
years
WHO
recommendation for game-changing mosquito net
First bed
net to contain non-pyrethroid chemistry
Collaboration with IVCC and London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine unlocks breakthrough
in malaria fight
BASF has received
a recommendation from the World Health Organization
(WHO) for Interceptor®
G2, a long-lasting
insecticide-treated mosquito net (LN) based
on chlorfenapyr.
Chlorfenapyr is a completely new insecticide class
for combating mosquitoes for public health. This is
the first WHO recommendation for a product based on
a new insecticide class in more than 30 years.
クロルフェナピル（Chlorfenapyr）は有機ハロゲン化合物の一種。
American
Cyanamid（現BASF）が開発した殺虫剤で、ピロール系の構造を持ち、果樹・野菜のコナガやハダニの呼吸系を阻害し殺虫効果を現す。日本では1996年4月25日に農薬登録を受け、日本曹達から「コテツ」の商品名で発売されている。
Working with the
Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC) and the
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in a
collaboration lasting over a decade, BASF’s
scientists successfully repurposed chlorfenapyr to
be effective on mosquito nets and meet stringent WHO
performance thresholds for public health.
Dave Malone, IVCC
Technical Manager, said “The collaboration with BASF
gave us access to an insecticide with a rare
combination of attributes: New to public health,
effective against resistant mosquitoes, and able to
coat polyester netting with a long-lasting
formulation.”
A second
chlorfenapyr product, an
indoor residual spray named Sylando®
240SC, is also in the final phases of WHO
evaluation.
Around the world,
every two minutes a child dies from malaria and
there are more than 200 million new cases every
year. Malaria is also a major cause of global
poverty and its burden is greatest among the most
vulnerable.
Long-lasting
insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LN) and indoor
residual sprays are the cornerstones of malaria
prevention, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. But
60 countries have already reported resistance to at
least one class of insecticide used in them. Part of
the problem is that there were previously only four
WHO-recommended insecticide classes for adult
mosquito control: Only one of
them, the pyrethroid class, was recommended for LNs.
Continual use of the same insecticides enabled the
highly-adaptable mosquito to
develop significant levels of resistance.
Independent
trials in Benin, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Ivory
Coast have proven the efficacy of Interceptor G2 and
Sylando 240SC against local insecticide-resistant
mosquitoes.
Medical
entomologist Professor Hilary Ranson from the
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine has studied
the problem for many years. “We’ve got to take
insecticide resistance very seriously,” she said.
“In some countries, the local mosquito population
has increased its level of resistance 1,000-fold. It
has been years since a new class of public health
insecticide has appeared on the market. Alternatives
are urgently needed.”
Following the WHO
recommendation, BASF will start preparations to
launch Interceptor G2 for malaria prevention.
Depending on local registration processes, the new
mosquito net is expected to be available to health
ministries and aid organizations starting towards
the end of this year.
“New resistance
management products are desperately needed to
prevent mosquito-borne diseases and save lives,”
said Egon Weinmueller, Head of BASF’s public health
business. “This development breakthrough strengthens
my personal belief that we really can be the
generation to end malaria for good.”
About
chlorfenapyr
Chlorfenapyr was derived by isolating a toxin from
the Streptomyces fumanus actinomycete bacterium. It
is new to the public health market, but has been
used in agriculture and urban pest control,
including in homes and food handling areas,
worldwide since 1995. Chlorfenapyr belongs to the
pyrrole class of chemistry and has an entirely
different mode of action from current WHO-approved
insecticides for public health. It works by
disrupting the insect’s ability to produce energy.
This makes it unlikely to show cross-resistance in
mosquitoes that are resistant to currently
registered public health insecticides. Further
information is available on
publichealth.basf.com.
American Cyanamid
June 26, 2018
EU to investigate
BASF's Solvay nylon deal
The European Commission on
Tuesday opened an in-depth investigation into the proposed
purchase by Germany’s BASF of Solvay’s nylon business, saying
such a deal could reduce competition in the supply of the nylon
production chain.
BASF agreed to buy Solvay’s global
polyamide business in September for 1.6 billion euros (1.41 billion
pounds), aiming to enhance its access to key growth markets in Asia
and South America.
“We need to carefully assess
whether the proposed acquisition would lead to higher prices or less
choice for European businesses and, ultimately, consumers,” European
Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager.
The Commission, which oversees
competition in the European Union, said it has until Oct. 31 to
decide on whether it would let the deal go ahead.
発表文
Solvay is currently the only manufacturer in
the European Economic Area with production assets at all levels
of the nylon production chain, from ADN to
nylon compounds and nylon fibres. Currently, Solvay sells
an important part of its production of intermediates at various
levels of the value chain to other companies active in making
nylon compounds and fibres.
BASF is also vertically integrated, but does
not produce ADN. It currently only sells a small part of
its production of intermediates because it uses almost all of
its production internally, for the production of nylon compounds
and fibers.
The proposed transaction
would create an important player in the nylon compounds market
with a market size almost double that of
the closest competitor. The merged entity would also
control substantial parts of the merchant markets and of the
production capacities at all levels of the nylon production
chain. Moreover, no other player would be similarly fully
integrated in the production chain. Competitors will thus depend
on the merged entity to continue to supply them with one or more
essential inputs.
In addition, there is no
indication that competition could be preserved by new entrants,
since access to essential inputs (such as ADN) is limited and
critical to be able to compete effectively.
The Commission's
preliminary competition concerns
At this stage, the Commission
is concerned that the proposed transaction would
reduce competition in the markets
where the merged entity would be active. In particular, the
Commission is concerned that this transaction could lead to
higher prices due to the increased market power of the merged
entity in the nylon compounds market, as well as due to its
enhanced position in the nylon production chain.
In particular, the
Commission's initial market investigation raised competition
concerns for the supply of the following essential inputs for
the nylon production chain: ADN,
Hexamethylene Diamine, Adipic Acid, Hexamethylenediamine adipate
Salt, Polyamide 6.6 Base Polymer and Polyamide 6.6 Engineering
Plastics.
The initial market
investigation also showed that competitors of the merged entity
fear that it would stop supplying them with these essential
inputs because of its own increased needs downstream.
The Commission will now carry
out an in-depth investigation into the effects of this
transaction to determine whether its initial competition
concerns are confirmed.
The transaction was notified
to the Commission on 22 May 2018. The Commission now has 90
working days, until 31 October 2018, to
take a decision. The opening of an in-depth investigation
does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.
------
Sep 19, 2017
BASF to acquire Solvay’s global
polyamide business
Position as
solution provider to various industries to be
strengthened
Backward
integration into key raw materials for
engineering plastics to be enhanced
BASF and Solvay
have signed an agreement related to
the sale of Solvay’s
integrated polyamide business to BASF. The
purchase price on a cash and debt-free basis would
be €1.6 billion.
According to applicable laws, the intended
transaction is subject to consultations with the
relevant social bodies of Solvay, following which
both companies will enter a binding purchase
agreement. Solvay and BASF aim to close the
transaction in the third quarter of 2018, after
customary regulatory approvals have been obtained
and the formal consent of a joint venture partner
has been received. The partner has already committed
to grant its consent subject to the delivery of
definitive documents with BASF.
The acquisition
would complement BASF’s engineering plastics
portfolio and expand the company’s position as a
solution provider for the transportation,
construction, industrial applications and consumer
industries. Regionally, the transaction would
enhance access to key growth markets in Asia and
South America. At the same time, the purchase would
strengthen BASF’s polyamide 6.6 value chain through
increased polymerization capacities and the backward
integration into the key raw material ADN (adipodinitrile).
For the full year
2016, net sales of the business to be purchased from
Solvay amounted to €1,315 million and EBITDA to
around €200 million. It has approximately
2,400 employees globally, thereof approximately
1,300 in France. Worldwide, it operates
12 production sites, 4 R&D
locations and 10 technical support centers.
The business would be integrated into BASF’s
Performance Materials and Monomers divisions.
Acquisition of BASF Pischelsdorf, Austria SBR
Business
Synthomer plc, a leading specialty
chemicals company, today announces the acquisition of the
BASF Austrian SBR business and assets.
The Business produces Styrene Butadiene Rubber (“SBR”) used in the paper
industry, notably in packaging end-markets. The Business operates from one site
in Pischelsdorf, Austria. The acquisition will enhance Synthomer’s SBR business
and production network for paper/packaging applications as well as increase the
group’s access to attractive new opportunities across Europe.
The acquisition is expected to complete early in 2018 following receipt of
regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other closing conditions.
Calum MacLean, Chief Executive Officer of Synthomer, said:
“This is another bolt-on acquisition that represents an excellent fit for
Synthomer. It underscores our long term commitment to our customers in the paper
industry, whilst providing us with an additional site to strengthen our network
and stronger access to growing packaging end-markets in Europe. We look forward
to welcoming our new colleagues and integrating the business into our European
network in the first half of next year.”
Synthomer is one of the world’s major
suppliers of latices and speciality emulsion polymers supporting leadership
positions in many market segments including coatings, construction,
textiles, paper and synthetic latex gloves. The company has its Head Office
in London, UK and provides customer focused services from operational
centres in Marl, Germany, Harlow, UK, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
BASF is in discussions regarding a potential merger of BASF Group’s
oil and gas activities with Letter One’s oil and
gas activities bundled in the DEA Group.
BASF would hold the
majority of the shares in the joint enterprise. An Initial Public
Offering (IPO) of the joint enterprise would be an option in the medium term.
The outcome of the discussions is open and there is no assurance that any
transaction will be consummated.
BASF’s oil and gas activities are bundled in the
Wintershall Group. Wintershall focuses on exploration and production in
oil and gas-rich regions in Europe, North Africa, Russia, South America and the
Middle East.
Together with Gazprom, the company is also
active in the transport of natural gas in Europe.
For the full year 2016, net sales of the Oil
& Gas segment of the BASF Group amounted to around €2.8 billion, EBITDA was
around €1.6 billion and EBIT around €500 million.
LetterOne について
ドイツの大手エネルギー会社RWE
AGは2014年3月17日、石油・ガス事業子会社のRWE DEA AGを51億ユーロ（約6億ユーロの負債込み）でLetterOne
Groupに売却する契約を締結したと発表した。 Deaは英国、ドイツ、ノルウェーなどで石油とガスの採掘を行っている。
BASF starts new production line of
Ultrason® in Yeosu, Korea
Extension to
serve growing global demand for high performance
thermoplastic in automotive, electronics and
water filtration industries
Additional
annual capacity of 6,000 metric tons of
polyarylsulfone benefits customers in Asia with
fast response and proximity
BASF has started
up a new production line for its high-temperature
resistant thermoplastic Ultrason® (polyarylsulfone)
at its site in Yeosu
麗水,
Korea. With the new line the global annual capacity
for Ultrason® will increase
by 6,000 metric tons to 24,000
metric tons, serving the growing market
demand worldwide. The plant in Yeosu was opened in
2014 as the first Ultrason® plant in
Asia.
Ultrason®
is the tradename for BASF’s product range of
polyethersulfone (Ultrason®
E), polysulfone (Ultrason® S), and
polyphenylsulfone (Ultrason® P).
Latest innovations include the optimized Ultrason®
Dimension, a highly filled polyethersulfone known
for its extraordinary dimensional stability and
excellent flow properties.
“This capacity
expansion will strengthen our competitive position
and drive the global versatility of our
polyarylsulfone business,” said Giorgio Greening,
head of BASF’s global business unit Styrenic Foams
and Specialty Polymers. “The expanded production
enables us to accompany our customers’ growth at a
high technical level and with the optimum product
portfolio.”
BASF produces
Ultrason® in
Ludwigshafen, Germany and in Yeosu, Korea.
Both locations are designed to produce the entire
product range of Ultrason® S, E and P,
and provide BASF with the flexibility to optimize
supply capabilities to customers around the world.
“With the new line we will continue to reliably
serve customers and industry partners with
high-quality material. Especially customers in Asia
will benefit from fast response and proximity,” said
Olivier Ubrich, head of global business management
Specialty Polymers. “With increasing urbanization
and the growing need for clean water management,
Ultrason® is the ideal material for
filter membranes thus contributing to the
desalination and purification in water treatment.”
Ultrason®
is widely used in the electronics, automotive and
aerospace industries for the production of
heat-resistant, lightweight components. The
thermoplastic can withstand temperatures up to 220°C
without altering its properties, and possesses
outstanding chemical stability. For example, it
enables the compact design of the new headlight
reflector in the Hyundai ix35, owing to its superior
temperature resistance. The high-performance
material is employed in membranes for water
filtration and medical devices, in hot water and
food contact parts e.g. for espresso machines or
microwave-proof dishes as well as in premium
household appliances. It complies with the American
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and the European
regulations for food contact applications. Ultrason®
is also used in the production of carbon fiber
composite materials.
June 28, 2018
BASF's Wintershall
defends Russia gas partnership
BASF oil and gas subsidiary
Wintershall defended its partnership with
Russia in the Nord Stream 2 pipeline to bring Russian gas
to Europe, saying this was a more stable option than liquefied
natural gas (LNG).
Board member Thilo Wieland,
attending the World Gas Conference in Washington, D.C., said
Europe’s geography and dwindling domestic gas resources meant
that pipeline links were superior, both economically and
ecologically, to LNG that the United States is seeking to
export.
“Once completed, Nord Stream
2 will play a key role in Europe’s energy supply, in contrast to
LNG, which is lured away by money at a moment’s notice, but
which does not guarantee volumes long-term and reliably for
Europe,” he said as part of the company’s statements during the
conference.
Wintershall is a member of
the Nord Stream 2 consortium, which includes Gazprom, that
started starting preparatory work in the Greifswald bay off
Germany’s Baltic coast on a new twin pipeline last month.
Wieland said direct links to
Russia and Norway worked as an energy insurance policy while EU
countries warning of Russia’s dominant role were ignoring the
rising role of LNG terminals and interconnectors.
“Any talk of Russia having a
monopoly is inaccurate,” he said.
Joint exploration by
Wintershall with Gazprom in Siberia includes developing the
Achimgaz project in a region holding 274 billion cubic metres of
gas.
At the Siberian
Yuzhno-Russkoye field, Wintershall has been producing 25 bcm per
year, a third of Germany’s annual consumption - since 2009.
Wieland also said U.S.
policies of punitive tariffs and sanctions were harming
cooperation and erecting walls against free trade.
Jul 9, 2018
BASF investigates
establishment of second Verbund site in
China
Memorandum
of Understanding signed in the presence of
Angela Merkel and Li Keqiang
Third-largest BASF site globally would be built
in South Chinese province of Guangdong
BASF is
investigating the possibility of building a
highly-integrated “Verbund” chemical production site
in the South Chinese province of
Guangdong. Today,
Martin Brudermüller, BASF’s Chairman of the Board of
Executive Directors, and Lin Shaochun, Executive
Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, signed a
non-binding Memorandum of
Understanding in Berlin, in the presence of
Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Chinese
Premier Li Keqiang.
The Verbund site
in Guangdong would be BASF’s largest investment and
would be operated under the sole responsibility of
BASF. China – with a world market share of around
40% – is the largest chemical market, and dominates
the growth of the global chemical production. The
investment is estimated to reach up to US$10 billion
by completion of the project
around 2030. The first plants could be
completed by 2026 at the
latest.
In the initial
phase, the BASF project would include
petrochemical plants – the heart of the
well-established Verbund system.
A steam cracker with a planned
capacity of 1 million metric tons of ethylene
per year would be the starting point of the value
chains at the new integrated site. In the next
phases, plants for more consumer-oriented products
and solutions would be built, to serve sectors like
transportation or consumer goods. The site would
ultimately be the
third-largest BASF site worldwide, following
Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium.
Guangdong
province is home to customers from these key
industries, as well as other fast-growing
industries. With more than 110 million residents,
Guangdong is the most populous province in China.
Its gross domestic product, currently growing at 7%
annually, already exceeds that of Spain and will
soon have reached that of South Korea.
At the new site,
BASF intends to implement a comprehensive smart
manufacturing concept based on cutting-edge
technologies. In the future, customers based in
South China would be supplied from this high-tech
Verbund site.
Globally, BASF
currently operates six Verbund sites: two in Europe
(Ludwigshafen, Germany;
Antwerp, Belgium), two in North America (Freeport,
Texas, USA; Geismar, Louisiana, USA) and two
in Asia. The Verbund site in
Nanjing, China, established in 2000, is a
50:50 joint venture with Sinopec (BASF-YPC
Company Limited),
while the Verbund site in
Kuantan, Malaysia, established in 1997, is a
60:40 joint venture with Petronas (BASF-Petronas
Chemicals ).
27 September 2018
BASF, LetterOne sign
deal to merge Wintershall, DEA
BASF and
LetterOne have signed an agreement to merge
their oil-and-gas
businesses to create a joint venture
called Wintershall DEA,
BASF and LetterOne said on Thursday.
The deal
should close in the first half of 2019,
pending approval of merger control,
regulators and the German Federal Network
Agency, BASF said.
Wintershall is the
exploration-and-production business of BASF.
DEA Group is owned by LetterOne, an
investment vehicle of Russian magnate
Mikhail Fridman.
The table
below shows the 2017 financial performance
of the combined Wintershall and DEA.
Sales
€4.7bn
EBITDA
€2.8bn
Net income
€740m
Hydrocarbon output
210m bbl
Output/day
575,000 bbl
The joint
venture plans to reach daily production of
750,000-800,000 bbl/day of oil equivalents
by 2021-2023, BASF said. It plans to achieve
synergies of at least €200m/year three years
after the deal closes.
Wintershall CEO Mario Mehren will become the
chairman of the management board and the CEO
of the joint venture, BASF said. Maria
Moraeus Hanssen, CEO of DEA, will become the
deputy CEO and chief operating officer.
A chief
financial officer still needs to be chosen,
BASF said.
BASF will initially
hold a 67% stake in the joint
venture, with LetterOne holding the rest,
BASF said.
The
chemical company will also receive
additional preference shares to take into
account the value of Wintershall's
gas-transportation business, BASF said.
These will be converted into ordinary shares
no later than 36 months after the deal
closes, if not before the initial public
offering (IPO) of the joint venture. At that
point, BASF's stake in
Wintershall DEA will rise to 72.7%.
In
2018,
pro-forma
hydrocarbon
production
of
Wintershall
and
DEA
together
was
215
million
barrels
of
oil
equivalent
(BOE),
equivalent
to
around
590,000
BOE
per
day.
At
the
end
of
2018,
proven
reserves
on a
pro-forma
basis
stood
at
2.4
billion
BOE,
which
leads
to a
reserve
to
production
ratio
of
11
years.
As a
result
of
the
merger,
Wintershall
Dea
has
a
regionally
balanced
footprint
with
superior
growth
opportunities
in
its
core
regions.
Based
on
existing
exploration
and
production
projects,
the
company
is
on
track
to
reach
daily
production
of
750,000
to
800,000
BOE
between
2021
and
2023.
This
is
equivalent
to
an
annual
production
growth
rate
of
6%
to
8%.
Growth
is
expected
to
come
from
both
the
existing
portfolio
and
new
production
regions.
Wintershall
Dea
expects
to
realise
synergies
of
at
least
€200
million
per
year
as
of
the
third
year
following
the
closing
of
the
transaction,
in
particular
from
operating
and
capital
expenditure
savings.
According
to
current
plans,
around
1,000
of
the
total
4,200
full-time
positions
are
expected
to
be
reduced
worldwide.
The
social
partners
are
currently
working
on
socially
compatible
solutions
regarding
the
necessary
personnel
adjustments.
Wintershall Dea
produces gas and oil
in four core
regions:
Europe, Russia,
Latin America
(Mexico、Brazil、Arzentina)
and the MENA region
(Middle East & North
Africa：UAE、Algeria、Libya、Egipt).
“As an energy
company, we know
that we are merely
stewards of the
country’s natural
resources. We
recognise our
responsibility, and
work with all
stakeholders to
ensure that our
presence improves
people’s lives. In
the countries where
we are active, we
are well positioned
and often even a
leader,” says Maria
Moraeus Hanssen,
Deputy CEO and Chief
Operating Officer of
Wintershall Dea.
This applies, for
example, to domestic
production in
Germany, but also to
the Norwegian
continental shelf
and production in
Russia. “Our
portfolio is well
balanced both
regionally and
operationally and 70
percent of our
production is gas.
And that is a good
thing for Europe
with a growing
demand for natural
gas. Europe does not
need less, but more
gas, in order to
achieve its own
climate goals,” says
Moraeus Hanssen.
Oct 22, 2018
BASF and Nornickel join forces to
supply the battery materials market
BASF
announces first location for battery materials
production in Europe
BASF and
Nornickel establish a strategic cooperation to
meet the growing needs for battery materials in
electric vehicles
BASF has selected Harjavalta, Finland, as the first
location for battery materials production serving
the European automotive market. The plant will be
constructed adjacent to the nickel and cobalt
refinery owned by Norilsk Nickel (Nornickel).
This investment
is part of BASF’s €400 million multi-step investment
plan announced last year and builds upon initial
battery materials production started in Harjavalta
in 2018. Start-up is planned for late 2020,
enabling the supply of approximately 300,000 full
electric vehicles per year with BASF battery
materials. The new plant in Harjavalta will utilize
locally generated renewable energy sources,
including hydro, wind and biomass.
Additionally,
BASF and Nornickel have signed a long-term,
market-based supply agreement for
nickel and cobalt feedstocks
from Nornickel’s metal refinery. The
agreement will establish a locally sourced and
secure supply of raw materials for battery
production in Europe.
The investment in
the new plant in Finland reinforces BASF’s support
of the EU Commission’s agenda towards a European
battery production value chain. BASF is also
evaluating additional locations in Europe for the
construction of new production plants for battery
materials.
“With the
investment in Harjavalta, BASF will be present in
all major regions with local production and
increased customer proximity further supporting the
rapidly growing electric vehicle market,” said
Kenneth Lane, President, BASF’s Catalysts division.
“Combined with our Nornickel cooperation, we are
creating a strong platform that connects the efforts
between industry leaders in raw material supply and
battery materials technology and production.”
“The co-location
of BASF’s new plant and Nornickel’s metal refinery
in Harjavalta will enable unparalleled access to a
local nickel and cobalt supply,” said Jeffrey Lou,
Senior Vice President, Battery Materials at BASF.
“Our high-nickel cathode materials are key to
deliver enhanced energy density and vehicle range to
our customers. With this world-scale production
facility, BASF will be able to serve the European
e-mobility growth strategies of key OEMs and cell
suppliers with reliable supply and close
collaboration.”
Sergey Batekhin,
Senior Vice President, Sales, Procurement and
Innovation at Nornickel, confirmed, “We are pleased
to extend our alliance with BASF, one of our
long-term strategic partners. The agreement is an
important element of Nornickel’s broader strategy to
expand its presence in the global battery materials
market and establish long-term cooperation with
leading producers of cathode active materials.”
Batekhin said,
“We believe that electric vehicles have significant
potential to transform the global nickel industry,
and Nornickel – as the world’s leading supplier of
refined nickel products – is uniquely positioned to
support this transformation. We feel especially
proud that our company can play an important role in
supporting the development of the green economy in
Europe and globally. Nornickel reiterates its strong
commitment to the sustainable long-term development
of its resource base and being a responsible
participant in the global materials supply chain.
14 Dec 2018
EC approves merger of BASF and Solenis businesses
The completion of the merger between
BASF's and Solenis' paper and water chemicals
business moves closer. The European Commission has approved
the deal.
The European Commission has
approved the establishment of a joint venture between chemical firms
BASF and Solenis. The two companies plan to combine their global
paper and water chemicals business.
BASF will retain 49% of the joint
venture headquartered in Wilmington/ Delaware, USA, which will
operate on the market under the name of
Solenis. 51% of the joint venture's shares will be held by
private equity funds managed by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (owner of
Solenis).
The transaction covers BASF's
global Wet End paper and water chemicals business which generated
sales of roughly €800m in 2017. The business operates six production
sites in the UK, the US, Mexico, India and Australia
Solenis
was formerly Ashland Water Technologies,
which has a team of 3,700 professionals, active in 118 countries across
five continents.
The name change coincides with the
acquisition of Ashland Water Technologies by a fund managed by private
investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R).
Prior to the acquisition, Ashland Water Technologies was a commercial
business unit of Ashland Inc. The sale closed July 31, 2014 and included
the Industrial Water and the Pulp and Paper business units.
ーーーー
May 3, 2018
BASF and Solenis to join
forces by combining paper and water chemicals businesses
Creation of customer-focused global
solutions provider for the paper and
water treatment industries
BASF’s paper wet-end and water chemicals
business and Solenis with combined
pro-forma sales of around €2.4 billion
BASF
to hold a 49% share of the combined
entity
On May 2,
2018, BASF and Solenis have signed an
agreement to join forces by combining BASF’s
paper wet-end and water chemicals business
with Solenis. The combined entity with
pro-forma sales of around €2.4 billion and
around 5,000 employees in 2017 aims to
deliver additional value for paper and water
treatment customers. The goal is to create a
customer-focused global solutions provider
for the industry. For the paper industry,
the product portfolio of the combined
enterprise will cover the entire range of
functional and process wet-end chemicals,
solutions for the water cycle for paper
mills, as well as comprehensive service
capabilities. For the water treatment
industry, the customers of the joint
organization will benefit from Solenis’
high-quality service capabilities and BASF’s
broad water treatment chemicals platform.
Pending approval by the relevant
authorities, closing is anticipated for the
end of 2018 at the earliest. Financial terms
of the transaction are not being disclosed.
BASF will hold a 49%
share of the combined entity that
will operate under the
Solenis name and be headquartered in
Wilmington, Delaware, USA.
BASF will nominate three out of seven
shareholder representatives of the joint
entity that will continue to be led by
current President and Chief Executive
Officer John E. Panichella of Solenis.
51% of the shares will
be held by funds managed by Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice.
“The
transaction underlines BASF’s active
portfolio management and enables us to share
in the future success of this promising
joint entity,” says Dr. Markus Kamieth,
member of the Board of Executive Directors
of BASF SE and responsible for the
Performance Products segment.
The
transaction comprises BASF’s global paper
wet-end and water chemicals business with
2017 sales of around €800 million and around
1,300 employees globally. The transfer
includes production sites and plants of the
paper wet-end and water chemicals business
in Bradford and Grimsby, UK; Suffolk,
Virginia, USA; Altamira, Mexico; Ankleshwar,
India, and Kwinana, Australia.
BASF’s paper and water chemicals production
plants strongly embedded in the Verbund in
Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Nanjing, China,
are not transferred, and will deliver
products and raw materials to the combined
entity under mid- to long-term supply
agreements.
BASF’s
paper coating chemicals portfolio is not
part of the transaction.
Strategic
fit for future growth
“We will remain committed to the paper and
water treatment industries through our 49%
ownership of the combined entity and bring
our excellent technologies, products, and
production processes. Combined with Solenis’
service capabilities, we will create
additional value for our customers. They
will benefit from our joint innovation
activities, complementary state-of-the-art
product portfolios, and dedicated service
and application support,” says Anup Kothari,
President of BASF’s Performance Chemicals
division.
“Together, we have a unique opportunity to
create a customer-focused global specialty
chemical company with an enhanced focus and
expanded offerings. I am pleased that our
cultures are closely aligned and that our
companies share a strong common desire to
create value for our customers. Together, as
one team of experts, we will continue to
strive towards excellence in innovation,
sustainability and safety,” underlines John
E. Panichella, CEO of Solenis.
Customers
to benefit from complementary range of
products and services
Solenis is a global producer of specialty
chemicals for water intensive industries,
including the pulp, paper, oil and gas,
chemical processing, mining, biorefining,
power and municipal markets. The company’s
product portfolio includes a broad array of
process, functional and water treatment
chemistries as well as state-of-the-art
monitoring and control systems.
Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, USA,
the company has 35 manufacturing facilities
strategically located around the globe with
approximately 3,700 employees in
118 countries.
BASF
offers a comprehensive range of chemicals
for the paper and water industry. Its paper
chemicals portfolio comprises dry strength
agents, fixing agents, retention and
drainage aids, flocculants and coagulants
for water management. Furthermore, BASF
offers basic dyes, direct dyes, sizing
agents, pigment preparations, wet strength
agents and color developers for thermal
paper. The water chemicals portfolio
includes products used in the key processes
of industrial and municipal water treatment.
BASF’s paper and water chemicals business
supplies chemicals to purify the raw water
used to produce drinking water, to treat
waste water streams and industrial process
water, to protect cooling towers, boilers
and desalination plants. The paper and water
chemicals business is part of BASF’s
Performance Chemicals division reported in
the Performance Products segment.
BASF and
Solenis will continue to operate as strictly
independent companies until the completion
of the transaction.
------------------
1 February 2019
BASF and Solenis to close merger after receiving approval
BASF and Solenis have closed a merger of BASF’s Paper and
Water Chemicals business with Solenis after receiving approval from all
relevant authorities.
With pro forma sales of around $3bn, the merged entity will operate under the
Solenis brand. The merger was originally announced in May 2018.
The combined company will provide expanded chemical offerings for customers in
the pulp, paper, oil and gas, chemical processing, mining, biorefining and power
industries.
BASF will have a 49% stake in the merged entity,
while 51% will be owned by Solenis management and funds managed by Clayton,
Dubilier & Rice (CD&R:owner of Solenis)).
With around 5,200 employees, the new Solenis company is expected to have
increased sales, service and production capabilities worldwide.
“Combining our strong heritages creates the leading customer-focused, global
solutions provider for the paper and water industries.”
The merger includes the Paper and Water assets of BASF’s Performance Chemicals
unit, including production facilities in Bradford and Grimsby, UK; Suffolk, US;
Altamira, Mexico; Ankleshwar, India; and Kwinana, Australia, as well as other
related assets such as intellectual property. BASF’s paper coating chemical
business is not part of the deal.
Solenis president and CEO John Panichella said: “Combining our strong heritages
creates the leading customer-focused, global solutions provider for the paper
and water industries. Customers from these industries will benefit from our
joint strengths, resulting in an unparalleled and complementary range of
products and services, state-of-the-art innovations and know-how.”
BASF Performance Chemicals division president Anup Kothari said: “Joining forces
with Solenis is the right step for BASF’s Paper and Water Chemicals business to
maintain sustainable growth. Together, we will provide the broadest scope of
products and services to meet the speciality chemical needs of the global paper
and water industry.”
BASF’s portfolio features chemicals, performance products, functional materials
and agricultural solutions. It has more than 115,000 employees.
April 2, 2019
Desert Lion in
lithium deal with BASF, stock up 62%
Desert Lion
Energy Inc., a Namibian lithium development company, said
Tuesday April 2 that it has entered into a non-binding
offtake agreement with German chemical company BASF SE.
Under the agreement, BASF would be able to purchase lithium hydroxide from a
planned Desert Lion production facility to be located in Namibia.
On its website, Desert Lion is described
as an emerging lithium development company and early-stage producer, focused
on building Namibia’s first large-scale lithium mine on a site located 210
km from Windhoek, the Namibian capital.
The company holds
80% of the Desert Lion Lithium Project, which includes three
past-producing lithium mines. The project is situated on a 301 km2
land package and is currently in Phase 1 production, processing stockpiled
material and exporting lithium concentrate. The project site is accessible
year-round via road and has access to power, water, railway, and port
infrastructure.
Back in November 2018, the company
released a preliminary economic assessment, which said the initial direct
capital cost for a concentrator and lithium carbonate conversion plant would
be US$275 million. The estimate includes the cost of by-product circuits and
a US$43 million contingency.
The PEA envisaged production of
20,000 tonnes per-year of battery grade lithium carbonate from an
average of 2.35 million tonnes per year of run-of-mine mineralization, using
conventional processing equipment, producing life-of-mine revenue of US$852
million.
The capital cost for the Desert Lion
Lithium Project is amongst the lowest among a group of lithium development
peers, Desert Lion said.
In the press release Tuesday, Desert Lion
said the agreement with BASF is valid through to December 31, 2019, giving
both parties enough time to work towards a definitive offtake agreement.
“This offtake agreement represents
another major milestone for the company. We are pleased to be able to align
ourselves with BASF for the supply of lithium chemicals to the battery
industry,” said Desert Lion CEO Tim Johnston.
Desert Lion acquired the Namibian Lithium
Project in January 2017. It signed an off-take agreement for Phase 1
production with Chinese Lepidolite converter Jiangxi Jinhui Lithium Co. Ltd.
in November 2017.
In a December 2017 press release, Desert
Lion said it had begun production of lithium concentrate in line with
management’s Phase 1 production plan. It said the concentrate was produced
from stockpiled material. At that time, the company said the project license
contains 700,000 tonnes of stockpiled material and 100,000 tonnes of fines
that it planned the process over the next 12 months.
Following the production of lithium
concentrate from the stockpiled material, Desert Lion said it would commence
production of lithium concentrate from in situ ore, likely in the second
half of 2019.
Desert Lion is the product of
a reverse takeover deal with Camex Energy Corp.
that was announced in October, 2017.
ーーー
October 16, 2017
Camex Energy and Desert Lion
Energy Enter Into Amalgamation Agreement to Complete Reverse Take-Over
Camex Energy Corp. and Desert Lion
Energy Corp. are pleased to announce that they have entered into a
definitive amalgamation agreement dated October 12, 2017 pursuant
to which Camex will acquire of all of the issued and outstanding common
shares of Desert Lion in exchange for securities of Camex. The
Transaction will be carried out by way of a three-cornered amalgamation.
As a result of the Transaction, Camex will
continue on with the business of Desert Lion under the name “Desert Lion
Energy Inc.”
Desert Lion Energy Corp.
Desert Lion is a private company incorporated under the Business
Corporations Act (Ontario) whose only significant asset is
ownership of its 80% owned Namibian subsidiary,
Desert Lion Energy (Pty) Ltd., which holds a 100% interest in the
Desert Lion Energy Lithium Project consisting of a past producing
lithium mine as well as the surrounding 301km2prospecting
area located in Namibia near Karibib in the Erongo region (the “Project”).
Desert Lion has no revenues.
Desert Lion is focused on providing a
long term sustainable solution for the low-cost supply of high quality
lithium chemicals. The brownfield lithium mines of Rubicon, Helikon and
Mircolite were first discovered in the 1930s and have a long history of
lithium mining operations. The Project is located within 301 km2 of
highly prospective land with known lithium bearing pegmatitic
mineralization. The Project site is accessible year-round by road with
access to power, water, rail, port, airport, and communication
infrastructure.
June 27,
2019
BASF to
reshape organization
Brudermüller: “Customers should
experience a new BASF”
Leaner structures, simplified processes
Reduction of 6,000 positions worldwide
until the end of 2021
With an
organizational realignment, BASF is creating
the conditions for greater customer
proximity, increased competitiveness and
more profitable growth. BASF is streamlining
its administration, sharpening the roles of
services and regions and simplifying
procedures and processes. As a result, the
company expects
savings of €300 million, as part of
the ongoing excellence program, which is
anticipated to contribute €2 billion to
earnings annually from the end of 2021
onwards.
In the
course of the strategy implementation, BASF
expects a reduction of a total of around
6,000 positions worldwide until the
end of 2021. This decrease results from the
organizational
simplification and from efficiency gains
in administration and services as well as in
the operating divisions. In addition,
central structures are being streamlined in
the context of the announced portfolio
changes. BASF will continue to need
additional employees in fields like
production or digitalization, depending on
future growth rates.
“We will
set up the new organization with a clear
focus on leveraging synergies, reducing
interfaces and enabling flexibility and
creativity,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller,
Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors
of BASF. “We want our customers to
experience a new BASF. To achieve this, we
have to live a new BASF. We will therefore
continue to develop our organization to work
more effectively and efficiently. In this
way, we will ensure the success of our
customers, strengthen our competitiveness,
and grow profitably as a company.”
A clear
separation of steering and governance from
services
Customer-focused operating divisions,
service units and regions as well as a lean
Corporate Center are the cornerstones of
BASF’s new organization. The Corporate
Center will consist of less than 1,000
employees and will support BASF’s Board of
Executive Directors in steering the company
as a whole. This includes central
responsibilities, among others in the areas
of strategy, finance, legal, human resources
and communications.
In
addition, around 29,000 employees will be
working in cross-functional service units.
“Global Engineering Services” and “Global
Digital Services” will in future offer their
services either for individual sites or
globally for business units of the BASF
Group, “Global Procurement” will make
purchasing even more effective. “Global
Business Services” will be newly established
and will form a worldwide network of about
8,000 employees providing end-to-end
services. They will support the business
units with services, among others from the
areas of finance, human resources,
communications and supply chain. The unit
“Global Business Services” will be led by
Marc Ehrhardt, currently head of the Finance
division.
The role
of regions and countries is being sharpened.
They represent BASF locally and support the
growth of business units with local
proximity to customers.
First
changes will take effect on January 1, 2020.
Ludwigshafen: Early negotiations for new
site agreement
In view
of the current changes and further changes
planned until the end of 2021, management
and employee representatives have jointly
decided to move forward the start of
negotiations on a new site agreement for the
BASF SE. The current site agreement is valid
until the end of December 2020. The goal is
to sign a new agreement in the first half of
2020.
July 29, 2019
BASF invests in second
tert-Butylamine plant in
Nanjing, China
Commitment to
customer growth in
rubber and tire
industry in China
Advanced
technology with
sustainable
production process
Start-up planned
in 2022
BASF plans to invest in
a second production
plant for
tert-Butylamine (tBA) at
BASF Specialty Chemicals
Co. Ltd (BSNJ) in
Nanjing, China. With
this expansion, BASF’s
global annual production
capacity of tBA will
increase by more than
30%. The plant is
planned to start up in
2022 and will adopt
advanced BASF technology
which generates a
minimal amount of
by-products in an
advanced production
process. BASF also
operates tBA production
plants in Antwerp,
Belgium, and Geismar,
Louisiana, USA.
“China is the largest
chemical market and the
growth driver for global
chemical production. It
is also the global hub
of the tire
manufacturing industry.
We are excited to be
part of this dynamic
market and fulfill our
customers’ needs through
the investment in a new
tBA plant in Nanjing,
China,” said Dr. Stephan
Kothrade, President
Functions Asia Pacific,
President and Chairman,
Greater China, BASF.
“As Asia remains the key
growth region for tBA,
the new plant underlines
our strong commitment
supporting the growth of
our customers in the
rubber and tire industry
as well as the
agricultural and
pharmaceutical markets,”
said Vasilios Galanos,
Senior Vice President,
Intermediates Asia
Pacific, BASF. “We
further strengthen our
production capabilities
in delivering consistent
and reliable supply to
our customers in this
fast-growing region,
solidifying our position
as a leading supplier to
the global rubber and
tire industry.”
tBA is a primary
aliphatic amine that is
used as an intermediate
to produce vulcanization
accelerators for the
rubber and tire
industry. It is also
applied as a building
block in the
agricultural and
pharmaceutical
industries.
August 14, 2019
BASF, Solvay and Domo
Chemicals reach agreement on
acquisition of Solvay’s
polyamide business
To further expand its
position as a global
supplier of engineering
plastics, BASF signed an
agreement with Solvay in
September 2017 on the
acquisition of Solvay’s
integrated polyamide
business. In January
2019, the EU Commission
approved the acquisition
subject to certain
conditions, including
the divestiture of
Solvay’s polyamide 6.6
production facilities in
Europe.
Belle-Etoile and
Valence
(France), Gorzow
(Poland), and
Blanes (Spain)
これらは、ヘキサメチレンジアミン、アジピン酸塩ヘキサメチレンジアミン、ナイロン66ベースポリマー、ナイロン66エンプラ、ナイロン６
3D
プリンティングパウダーを生産する。
Today, BASF, Solvay and
Domo Chemicals
agreed that
Domo will acquire the
European PA6.6 business
from Solvay. This
transaction is targeted
to close by the end of
2019 and remains subject
to the approval of the
relevant competition
authorities.
BASF will acquire the
global, non-European
PA6.6 business from
Solvay including its 50%
share in Butachimie’s
adipodinitrile (ADN)
production according to
the agreement signed in
September 2017. Subject
to the approval of the
transaction between Domo
and Solvay and final
approval of the relevant
competition authorities,
the transaction between
BASF and Solvay is also
targeted to close by the
end of 2019.
The intended acquisition
by BASF now comprises
a
total of eight
production sites in
Germany, France, China,
India, South Korea,
Brazil and Mexico.
In France,
BASF and Domo will also
enter into a joint
venture to produce
adipic acid.
Furthermore, three
research and development
centers in South Korea,
China and Brazil and six
technical consultation
centers in Asia as well
as in North and South
America will be
transferred from Solvay
to BASF.
The purchase price to be
paid by BASF on a cash
and debt-free basis
would amount to
€1.3 billion.
Solvay’s businesses to
be acquired by BASF
generated sales of
around €1.0 billion in
2018. At closing,
approximately 700 Solvay
employees will move to
BASF. The intended joint
venture between BASF and
Domo in France will
employ approximately
650 employees. BASF is
planning to integrate
the businesses into its
Monomers and Performance
Materials divisions.
With this transaction,
BASF will benefit from
improved access to
important growth markets
in Asia and South
America, enabling the
company to improve the
close collaboration with
local customers. BASF’s
product pipeline and
product portfolio of
engineering plastics
will be enhanced as
well, which will
strengthen the position
of the company as a
provider of innovative
solutions for the
transport, construction
and consumer goods
industries, among
others. Through the
backward integration
into important raw
materials such as
adipodinitrile (ADN),
BASF will be present
along the entire value
chain for polyamide 6.6
and be able to further
increase the capacities
to produce polymers.
---
DOMO Chemicals
is a leading integrated
high quality material
engineering company with
a strong focus on
sustainable solutions,
such as its ecological
ECONAMID® engineering
plastics range.
The company offers
worldwide an extensive
portfolio of nylon 6
intermediates, nylon 6
resins, engineering
plastics, fertilizers,
packaging film and
distribution of
petrochemical products.
Headquartered in
Germany, DOMO’s
innovative products and
services serve the
automotive, food,
medical, pharmaceutical,
agricultural, chemicals
and electronics
industries.
Plants
Leuna (DE)
Arco (IT)
Premnitz (DE)
Buford, GA (USA)
Jiaxing City (CHN)
Cesano Maderno (IT)
The Leuna
plant has over 70 years of history behind
it. Dr. Paul Schlack (1897-1987)
first synthesised Nylon 6 from caprolactam
in 1938. He later developed the process for
manufacturing synthetic fibres from Nylon 6,
trademarked as Perlon. In 1942, the world’s
largest industrial plant for producing
caprolactam opened in Leuna, and its
technology and procedural expertise have
been developing constantly ever since.
From the acquisition - in 1994 - of the Leuna Caprolactam Site, with its long tradition continuing
today, the history of Domo Chemicals has been an
entrepreneurial success story illustrating Germany’s rich industrial tradition,
as well as its recovery following a few years of stagnation. Since then, the
textile history and experience of the DOMO Group (thirty years in carpet and
yarn manufacturing) have resulted in the specialisation and development of a
portfolio of high-performance Nylon 6 polymers for textile / BCF / industrial
yarn applications.
In 2002 we set our first steps in the
engineering plastics industry. 2004 marked another highlight in Domo Chemicals’
history with the acquisition of the PA2000 factory in Premnitz
(Germany) which meant the real start of our nylon 6 Engineering Plastics
business.
The acquisition of
Aquafil Engineering Plastics business (Italy / US /
China) in 2013 marked the global expansion of our Engineering
Plastics business. From that moment on we have been providing specialized
engineering plastics solutions for our customers worldwide, active in the
automotive, electrical, industrial and consumer goods.
With the acquisition of
CFP Flexible Packaging SpA (Italy), a
leading European producer of Nylon 6 specialty films for the flexible packaging
industry, mid 2014, we are further strengthening our Nylon 6 value chain and
growing our portfolio of innovative products and services.
This acquisition in June 2015 perfectly fits
into DOMO Chemicals' strategy to grow its innovative capabilities
and globally strengthen the business and service level to its customers.
Technical Polymers is an
engineering plastics specialist, based in Buford, Georgia, US. It specializes in
the development, production and marketing of a wide range high performance
engineering polymers and develops customized formulations for specific
applications. Innovation is in its DNA.
ADNOC, Adani, BASF and Borealis sign
Memorandum of Understanding to further evaluate collaboration for a chemical
production complex in Mundra, India
Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (“ADNOC”), Adani Group (“Adani”), BASF SE
(“BASF”) and Borealis AG (“Borealis”) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) to engage in a joint feasibility study to further evaluate a collaboration
for the establishment of a chemical complex in Mundra, Gujarat, India.
The total investment is estimated to be up to
USD 4 billion (about Rs 28,400 crore), it added, but did not state which company
will hold how much stake.
This is the next step of
BASF’s and Adani’s investment plans as announced in
January 2019.
In January this year, Adani Group had
announced plans to set up a Rs 16,000 crore chemical factory at Mundra
in partnership with BASF.
With the inclusion of
ADNOC and Borealis as potential partners, the parties are examining
various structuring options for the chemical complex that will leverage the
technical, financial and operational strengths of each company. The total
investment is estimated to be up to $4 billion.
The collaboration includes evaluating a joint
world-scale propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plant to
produce propylene based on propane feedstock to be supplied by ADNOC.
Propylene will be partially used as feedstock for a
polypropylene (PP) complex, owned by ADNOC and Borealis, based on
proprietary state-of-the-art Borealis Borstar® technology.
The PP complex will be the first overseas
production joint investment by ADNOC and Borealis as part of a strategic
framework with their current joint venture Borouge.
Borouge is also developing a new
polypropylene plant in the emirate as part of the emirate's efforts to
triple chemicals production by 2025.
Propylene will be used as the key raw
material for the previously announced acrylics value chain complex
comprising glacial acrylic acid (GAA), Oxo-C4 (butanols and 2-ethylhexanol),
butyl acrylate (BA) and potentially other downstream products, under a joint
venture between BASF and Adani.
The chemical complex in Mundra will be entirely supplied from renewable
energy resources, with the four companies currently evaluating co-investment
in a wind and solar park. If achieved, this would be the world’s first CO2-neutral
petrochemical site to be fully powered by renewable energy.
The designated site is planned at Mundra port
in Gujarat, India, and the products are
predominantly for the Indian market, serving a wide range of local industries,
including construction, automotive and coatings.
Commenting on the MoU signing, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and
ADNOC Group CEO, said: “This exciting collaboration is in line with ADNOC’s
strategy to foster mutually beneficial partnerships. As a value-adding partner,
ADNOC will play a crucial role as the propane feedstock supplier to this
project. As the fastest growing global energy market, India is crucial to our
international growth ambitions in the downstream sector. As such, this project
allows ADNOC and its partners to capture the promising growth in the Indian
polyolefins market.”
GautamAdani, Chairman of the Adani Group, stated: “We are very pleased to
collaborate with our international partners to establish a Chemical
Manufacturing Complex at Mundra Port. We stand committed to the ‘Make in India’
initiative and serve the larger purpose of aligning growth opportunities with
creation of goodness for the nation.”
“BASF remains committed to investing in India’s growth. We will play a key role
in driving this joint collaboration which is also pioneering in terms of
sustainability. We look forward to working together with our partners in
establishing a chemical cluster in Mundra and to supplying the Indian market
with high-quality downstream products,” said Dr. Martin Brudermueller, Chairman
of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.
Alfred Stern, CEO of Borealis, added: “This partnership is a unique opportunity
to strengthen our PP presence in India with proprietary Borealis Borstar PP
technology and to create value and tangible benefits through innovation for
customers across multiple industries.”
The partners aim to finalize the joint feasibility study by the end of Q1 2020.
Production is intended to commence in 2024.
Headquartered in Ahmedabad, Adani Group is
one of India's largest integrated infrastructure conglomerates with
interests in resources (coal mining and trading), logistics (ports,
logistics, shipping and rail), energy (renewable and thermal power
generation, transmission and distribution), agro (commodities, edible oil,
food products, cold storage and grain silos), real estate, public transport
infrastructure, consumer finance and defence sectors.
BASF commences its
smart Verbund project in Zhanjiang, China
Milestone for BASF’s
US$10 billion investment project in China
World-class smart
Verbund site with latest technologies and highest safety
and sustainability standards
First plants to
produce engineering plastics and TPU serving a range of
key industries
Today, BASF officially
launched its smart Verbund project in 広東省湛江市Zhanjiang,
Guangdong province, China, and commenced building its
first plants. It marks a milestone of the company’s US$10
billion investment project announced in July 2018.
The first plants will
produce engineering plastics
and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)
to serve the increasing needs of various growth industries
in the southern China market and throughout Asia.
“We are pleased to see
our mega-investment project in China is progressing,” said
Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of the Board of Executive
Directors, BASF SE. “We are determined to support our
customers in southern China drive growth with innovative
products and sustainable solutions.”
“By utilizing the latest
digital technologies and applying the highest safety
standards, the new Verbund site will be a role model for
sustainable production contributing to the development of a
circular economy in China,” added Brudermüller.
“Zhanjiang is a perfect
location for BASF to further strengthen our footprint of
local production in China,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade,
President Asia Pacific Functions, President and Chairman
Greater China, BASF. “The smart Verbund site will form a
solid foundation for a world-class industrial cluster in
Zhanjiang and establish stronger business connections
between South China and other Asian countries.”
By 2022, the new
engineering plastics compounding
plant will supply an additional capacity of
60,000 metric tons per year in
China, bringing BASF’s total capacity of these products in
Asia Pacific to 290,000 metric tons per year. The new
capacity will enable BASF to meet the growing demand of its
customers, particularly in the automotive, electronics and
new energy vehicles (NEV) industries.
BASF plans to implement a
comprehensive smart manufacturing
concept at the Verbund site based on cutting-edge
technologies. The new site will utilize automated packaging,
high-tech control systems, and automated guided vehicles.
With the Zhanjiang
Verbund site, BASF will also contribute to the advancement
of the local community. The company is forming strategic
partnerships with several local technical institutions to
develop young technical talents.
BASF Integrated Site (Guangdong) Co. Ltd, BASF’s new
wholly-owned subsidiary, has also been officially formed.
This entity will oversee the operations of the new Verbund
site, underlining BASF’s commitment to the China market.
BASF signed the first
Memorandum of Understanding for the Verbund site with the
Guangdong Provincial Government in Berlin, Germany, in
July 2018.
In January 2019, the company signed a Framework Agreement
setting out further details of the plan.
The Verbund site in
Guangdong would be BASF’s largest investment, estimated
up to US$10 billion upon completion,
and would be operated under the sole
responsibility of BASF.
The Verbund project
is the first wholly foreign-funded
project in China's heavy chemical industry. (新華社)
The integrated value
chain will connect upstream and
downstream plants from basic chemicals to more
consumer-oriented products and solutions, serving growth
sectors like consumer goods and transportation. The site
would ultimately be the third-largest
BASF site worldwide, following Ludwigshafen, Germany, and
Antwerp, Belgium.
The first plant producing
engineering plastics compounds is expected to be
operational by 2022, and the
whole Verbund site is planned to be
completed by 2030.
BASF to Sell Construction Chemicals Business for $3.5 Billion
Chemicals giant BASF said it has agreed to
sell its construction chemicals unit for EUR3.17
billion ($3.52 billion), as the German company works to boost
profitability through ongoing turnaround efforts.
The sale, to
private-equity firm Lone Star Funds, is expected to close in the
third quarter of 2020 and is subject to regulatory approval, BASF said
in a statement Saturday.
Donald Quintin, president of Europe at Lone
Star, said the acquisition will complement the fund's existing
investments in the construction materials industry.
Over the past year BASF has announced job
cuts and slashed profit expectations as it works to contend with slowing
demand, particularly in the automotive sector, as well as the effects of
the continuing U.S.-China trade war. Its portfolio of products extends
from oil and gas to plastics and agriculture.
In July, the company said it would cut
6,000 jobs, or 5% of its global workforce, by 2021 in an effort to
generate annual savings of EUR300 million. Those cuts came several
months after BASF laid out restructuring efforts in November 2018.
For the most recent quarter ended in
September, the construction chemicals business recorded sales growth of
5% over the prior-year period, mainly due to currency effects. BASF said
the unit includes 7,000 employees in 60 countries around the world, with
annual sales of EUR2.5 billion in 2018.
Dallas-based Lone Star was founded in 1995
and comprises 20 funds with total capital commitments of approximately
$85 billion, according to its website.
December 21, 2019
Lone Star Funds to acquire
BASF’s Construction Chemicals business
Today, BASF and an affiliate
of Lone Star, a global private equity firm, signed a
purchase agreement for the acquisition of BASF’s
Construction Chemicals business.
The purchase price on a cash and debt-free basis is
€3.17 billion. The transaction
is expected to close in the third quarter of 2020, subject
to the approval of the relevant competition authorities.
“Our aim was to find a new
home for our Construction Chemicals business where it can
leverage its full potential,” said Saori Dubourg, member of
the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE and responsible
for the Construction Chemicals business. “Under the umbrella
of Lone Star, the Construction Chemicals team can focus on a
growth path with an industry-specific approach.”
“BASF’s Construction
Chemicals business fits very well with our portfolio,
complementing our investments in the construction materials
industry,” said Donald Quintin, President of Europe at Lone
Star. “We highly value the industry-wide recognized
knowledge and competence of BASF’s Construction Chemicals
experts, backed by a strong track record in innovative
products and a compelling R&D pipeline. We look forward to
jointly pursuing a growth-oriented business approach.”
With more than 7,000
employees, BASF’s Construction Chemicals business operates
production sites and sales offices in more than 60 countries
and generated sales of about €2.5 billion in 2018.
The signing of the
agreement has immediate effect on the reporting of BASF
Group. Retroactively as of January 1, 2019, sales and
earnings of the Construction Chemicals division are no
longer included in sales, EBITDA and EBIT before special
items of BASF Group. The prior-year figures will be restated
accordingly (BASF Group sales 2018 restated: €60.2 billion;
EBITDA 2018 restated: €8,970 million; EBIT before special
items 2018 restated: €6,281 million). Until closing,
earnings will be presented in the income after taxes of BASF
Group as a separate item (“Income after taxes from
discontinued operations”).
Admixture systems
BASF technologies for
admixture systems provide
solutions and add value for
customers in the
concrete manufacturing,
cement and underground
construction industries.
Each of these industries is
connected to the concrete
value chain. Our primary
focus is to improve and
protect buildings by
providing solutions based on
additives for concrete and
other cementitious materials
as well as selected
complementary technologies.
Construction systems
BASF serves the industry by
offering construction
systems with solutions to
protect and repair buildings
and structures.
Furthermore, the
construction systems help to
enhance the performance of
buildings and extend their
service lives.
Construction systems
comprise:
concrete repair and
protection systems,
performance grouts,
waterproofing systems,
sealants, performance
flooring systems, wall
systems and coatings for
mulch and wood fibers.
With systems for concrete
repair and protection, we
help to prolong a building’s
life span. Performance
grouts enable a durable,
safe, cost-effective and
time-efficient installation
of all types of heavy
machinery and wind power
stations. Our waterproofing
systems are designed to stop
water entry through surfaces
to prevent interior damage,
while our sealants prevent
air, water and other
environmental elements from
entering or exiting a
structure. Wall systems
offer exterior insulation
finishing systems that
combine insulation, a
finished surface, and
waterproofing in one
integrated system. Through
our North American
colorbiotics business we
provide high-quality,
long-lasting landscape
coating products to help
produce vibrant mulch for
homeowners, business owners,
parks and municipalities.
About Lone Star
Lone Star is a private
equity firm that invests globally in real estate, equity,
credit and other financial assets. Since the establishment
of its first fund in 1995, Lone Star has organized twenty
private equity funds with aggregate capital commitments
totaling approximately $85 billion. As a leading private
equity investor in construction materials and related
industries, Lone Star has extensive international experience
in the sector with a strong portfolio of investments across
both Europe and North America. For more information about
Lone Star, go to
www.lonestarfunds.com.
2020年6月16日
BASFとRed Avenue New
Materials、中国における堆肥化可能な生分解性コポリエステル（PBAT）の生産で協力
◼BASF、Red Avenue New Materials GroupにBASFの高品質PBATの製造および販売のライセンスを供与
◼Red Avenue New Materials Group、上海に年間生産能力6万トンのPBAT新工場を建設
◼バイオポリマーの世界市場は年間約15%の成長見込
2020年5月28日、BASFとRed Avenue New Materials
Group(彤程新材料集团)は、認証済の生分解性脂肪族－芳香族コポリエステル（PBAT）を、BASFの高い品質基準に準拠した方法で生産および販売するライセンスを、Red
Avenue New Materials Groupに供与する共同契約に署名しました。
Red Avenue New Materials Groupは年間生産能力6万トンのPBAT工場を上海に建設し、BASFの生産技術を用いて、BASFがecoflex®（エコフレックス）として販売している原料を生産します。
「BASFの生分解性樹脂であるecoflex®と革新的素材のecovio®（エコバイオ）は、この成長市場で既に大きな役割を果たしています。PBATの増産により、当社の市場での立場がさらに強化されます」とBASFのグローバル・ビジネス・ユニット、スペシャルティ・ポリマーズの責任者、オリビエ・ウブリッヒは述べています。「中国市場開拓への取り組みとネットワーク、戦略的に優れた立地、およびBASFとの長期にわたる良好な関係から、Red
Avenue New Materials
Groupをパートナーとしました。この協力体制により、お客様のニーズをさらに効果的に満たすことができ、供給の柔軟性も向上します。」Red Avenue New
Materials Groupは、「Materials Make The Planet
Better」（地球をより良くする素材）という開発コンセプトのもと、革新的かつ責任ある方法で、新素材産業の持続可能な発展を促進するという企業ビジョンを掲げています。
Red Avenue New Materials Group社長であるZhou
Jianhui（周建辉）は、次のように述べています。「私たちは、社会的責任意識を強く持つ企業として、地球環境問題を解決するだけでなく、川上および川下のグリーン産業チェーンにも最善の支援を約束します。当社はBASFと協力し、革新的な製造技術を持つ最新鋭の新素材を導入できることを光栄に思います。インターネットを中心とした新たな消費者行動などにより先端材料のビジネスチャンスが急速に拡大していることから、中国におけるPBAT市場の開拓と新材料産業の発展に協力してまいります。」
BASFの生分解性樹脂ecoflex®は1998年に上市され、DIN EN
13432およびASTM D 6400に準拠しています。ecoflex®はコンパウンド材料としても活用され、BASFの生分解性コンパウンド樹脂であるecovio®にも配合されています。ecovio®は一部が植物由来の生分解性樹脂であり、有機性廃棄物袋、ラップフィルム、青果用袋、農業用マルチフィルム、食品包装など、幅広い用途での使用が可能です。食品廃棄物の回収だけでなく、農作物の生産性向上、包装、貯蔵におけるecovio®の優位性も報告されています。食品廃棄物が減少し、栄養分が大量の堆肥として土壌に還元され、土壌中のプラスチックの蓄積が回避されることにより、サーキュラーエコノミー（循環型経済）を実現します。
March 10, 2021
BASF strengthens its position in bio-surfactants for Personal Care,
Home Care and Industrial Formulators with two distinct partnerships
BASF establishes a strategic
alliance, including an equity stake, with
Allied Carbon Solutions Co., Ltd (ACS:アライドカーボンソリューションズ)
Japan, a commercial provider of surfactants from biomass
BASF enters a strategic
technology cooperation with Holiferm
Ltd, UK, to develop a state-of-the-art production
process for biosurfactant products
BASF has recently signed two
distinct partnerships agreements to expand its global leading
position in the bio-based surfactants
and actives market.
The
strategic alliance with ACS includes an equity stake and
makes BASF the single largest shareholder. It further entails an
exclusive technology cooperation, commercial agreement and
product development for sophorolipids, one class of glycolipids,
to address the ever-increasing needs of consumers for
sustainable, natural and bio-degradable ingredients and actives.
The partners have agreed not to disclose financial details
regarding the investment.
Through the strategic technology agreement with
Holiferm, a UK-based start-up
company, BASF establishes an exclusive cooperation to focus on
developing and manufacturing sustainable, non-fossil based,
fermentation-derived ingredients for other classes of
glycolipids with potential for application in Home Care,
Industrial Formulators and Personal Care products.
“We see strong business
potential in these partnerships,” said Ralph Schweens,
President, Care Chemicals, BASF. “While BASF already has solid
innovation and production capabilities for surfactants, we are
always scouting for opportunities to work with partners
well-rooted in technologies which add to our strength in order
to expand our product portfolio with additional biobased
products.”
Collaboration with ACS to meet increasing consumer demands for
safe and natural products
In collaboration with ACS,
BASF developed a novel sophorolipid-based
ingredient, produced via fermentation technology, and launched
it in the Asian market under the brandname BioToLife™ in the
second quarter of 2020.
BioToLife™ has unique
properties such as curbing the overgrowth of some harmful
microbials and excellent cleansing, hence restoring an
environment which supports the formation of a balanced
micro-ecosystem in skin, scalp or oral care application. While
the first product is already available, ACS and BASF will deepen
the collaboration with the focus to develop a range of
formulations based on sophorolipids with targeted performance.
“Biotechnology has been an
established field in many industries for decades. More recently,
it is also being used to develop Personal Care ingredients,
predominantly active ingredients with high efficacy. ACS looks
forward to a fruitful relationship with BASF,” said Yosuke
Yamagata, CEO at ACS.
Collaboration with
Holiferm to jointly develop
fermentatively accessible glycolipids 糖脂質
for Home and Personal Care and Industrial Formulator
applications
Holiferm aims to accelerate the transition to circular economy
by developing and supplying sustainable, non-fossil based,
fermentation-derived ingredients for industrial and consumer
products. The recently signed Joint Development Agreement
between BASF and Holiferm is aiming at developing different
glycolipids outside of sophorolipids for Personal and Home Care
as well as Industrial Formulators applications. Combining
Holiferm’s unique production technology and process know-how,
and BASF’s leading position and knowledge in these industries
will enable innovative solutions to be brought to customers even
faster in the future.
“We value the collaborative
approach BASF takes to strategic development and believe this
partnership allows both partners to leverage their key
innovation strengths. We look forward to working together to
develop these further,” said Ben Dolman, CEO at Holiferm.
2021/8/6
BASF, SINOPEC to Expand Verbund Site in
Nanjing, China
The first tert-butyl acrylate plant outside of Germany using BASF technology to
meet the growing demand for specialty chemicals in China.
BASF and SINOPEC will expand their Verbund site operated by BASF-YPC Co., Ltd.
(BASF-YPC), a 50-50 joint venture of both companies in Nanjing, China. It
includes the capacity expansion of several downstream chemical plants, including
a new tert-butyl acrylate plant to support the
growing Chinese market.
The partners will expand the production capacities of
propionic acid, propionic aldehyde, ethyleneamines, ethanolamines and purified
ethylene oxide, and build a new tert-butyl acrylate
plant. The tert-butyl acrylate plant will be an extension to the
downstream using acrylic acid and isobutene of the existing Verbund as
feedstock, which marks the first time this advanced production technology is
applied outside of Germany. The expanded and new plants are planned to come on
stream in 2023.
“SINOPEC and BASF have carried out in-depth and friendly cooperation for a long
time, earnestly implemented relevant requirements of the national and local
governments to accelerate the transformation and green development of the
petrochemical industry, continuously optimized the industrial structure, and
promoted further extension of the industrial chain to the downstream,” said
Yuefeng Gu, chairman of Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Company Limited and BASF-YPC
Co., Ltd. “With the expansion of the Verbund site, we will provide more high-end
new materials for the domestic market to meet the growing needs of domestic
customers and the development of emerging industries.”
“Tert-butyl acrylate as a new product in our portfolio will further strengthen
the market position of BASF-YPC,” said Bram Jansen, President of BASF-YPC.
“Based on the 20-year success, we are expanding the local capacities to better
meet the continually rising demand of our customers.”
BASF intends to acquire a 51% stake in
Hunan Shanshan Energy Technology Co.,
Ltd., the cathode material business platform of
Shanshan Co., Ltd.
After the transaction is completed, Shanshan's shareholding
in Shanshan Energy has dropped to 49%, and no control will
be exercised, and it will no longer be included in the scope
of the consolidated statement of the listed company. Since
then, BASF has integrated the core technology of cathode
materials it has mastered into Shanshan’s energy production
system to comprehensively enhance its technological
competitiveness. On the one hand, it continues to increase
investment, comprehensively transform and increase
production capacity, and on the other hand, rely on BASF’s
global supply chain and channels. Quickly develop customers
and increase global market share.
Shanshan
Technology (Lithium-ion battery) anode-material industry includes Shanghai
Shanshan Tech Co., Ltd., Ningbo Shanshan New Material
Tech Co., Ltd. , Chenzhou Shanshan New Material Co., Ltd. , Huzhou
Chuangya Power Battery Material Co., Ltd. and Fujian Shanshan Tech Co.,
Ltd.. The whole industry contains total asset size of more than one billion
RMB, with annual production capability of 60000 tons at the end of 2017.
Being the domestic first high-tech enterprise which specializes in R&D,
production and sales of Lithium-ion battery anode materials, after more than
a decade of development, the company has greatly expanded its product
structure from MCMB to diversified product structure of five series of more
than 30 kinds of products, including MCMB, natural graphite, artificial
graphite, composite graphite and other anode materials (soft-carbon, hard-carbon,LTO
and alloy materials). These products have been widely applied to middle and
high-end fields of Lithium-ion energy storage battery.
The company possesses a high-quality and well-experienced R&D technical
team, with the support from national post-doctoral workstation and the
scientific research platform provided by the technical center of enterprise,
now we have 60 inventive technologies obtained national patents
authorization and more than 180 invention patents are in progress. The key
technical indicators have reached international advanced level. Therefore,
the company has promoted the development of lithium-ion battery industry in
China and obtained predominant social and economic benefits.
Ever since its establishment, the company has been continuously devoting
itself to R&D in the field of Lithium-ion battery anode materials. Regarding
“Material push energy revolution” as our mission, we will try our best to
promote the popularity and influence of enterprise in the l
------------------------
June 15, 2022
BASF expands production capacity in
China for industry-leading cathode active materials and achieves
multi-ton scale manufacturing for manganese-rich products
Newly expanded lines
incorporate cutting-edge energy recovery technology for a
leading carbon footprint
Commissioning of
new capacity will start from Q4 2022 to support growing
market demand
BASF
Shanshan Battery Materials Co., Ltd., a BASF
majority-owned company in China (BASF 51%; Shanshan 49%), is
expanding its battery materials capacity in Changsha, Hunan
Province, and Shuizuishan, Ningxia Province, to meet the
fast-growing local and global demands of the electric vehicle (EV)
industry. The expansion project will enable BSBM to achieve
100 kt annual capacity for cathode active
materials (CAM).
The new production lines are
designed with high flexibility to produce an advanced product
portfolio and meet customers’ diversified needs, from
high-nickel and ultra-high-nickel nickel-cobalt-manganese oxide
(NCM) for polycrystalline and single crystalline, as well as
manganese-rich NCM products.
The manganese-rich products
are already manufactured on a multi-ton scale. This progress in
material development will be further accelerated, thus
broadening the use of such products by customers.
“Our manganese-rich products
are well balanced in cost-performance compared to other ternary
cathode materials and offer customers a higher security on lower
metal cost as manganese is the most abundantly available metal
compared to cobalt or nickel, which have recently been subject
to significant price increases and fluctuations,” said Dr. Peter
Schuhmacher, President, Catalysts division at BASF.
The new lines are equipped
with innovative energy recovery technologies including off-gas,
waste heat and oxygen recycling. This is the first time that
such technologies have been used in the battery industry and
combine BSBM’s broad industrial operation experience with BASF’s
chemical process design know-how.
“With the synergy on
technology expertise in R&D and production, we are glad to see
that BASF’s chemical know-how will be a catalyst to contribute
to a more sustainable CAM offering with an industry-leading
carbon footprint,” added Dr. Michael Baier, Senior Vice
President of BASF Battery Materials and Chairman of the Board of
BSBM.
Embedding the Smart Factory
concept for automated, intelligent and sustainable plants, the
expansion projects have implemented industry-leading standards
in process design, production environment management and dust
control to meet the critical qualification requirements in the
battery materials industry and at the same time enable high
throughput with outstanding quality.
“We have been continuously
upgrading BSBM’s manufacturing and environmental protection
facilities to meet world-class standards,” said Jay Yang, CEO of
BSBM. “We are continuing to execute our company’s commitment to
our customers and employees to make BSBM a more environmentally
friendly and responsible CAM producer.”
The commissioning of the new lines will start from the fourth
quarter of 2022.
To learn more about BASF battery materials and BASF’s
commitment to e-mobility, visit our website:
BASF and SVOLT form partnership to
advance battery materials development and battery recycling
solutions globally
Partnership will combine
the strengths of both parties on cell manufacturing, cathode
active materials and battery recycling to accelerate global
progress towards carbon neutrality
BASF and
SVOLT have
entered into an agreement in which both parties will partner
throughout their global operations with
regards to cathode active materials (CAM) development,
raw materials supply and battery recycling
for SVOLT’s battery cells. The cooperation will also
enhance the research and development (R&D) capabilities for both
companies in sustainable battery materials and strengthen both
parties’ core competitiveness in the largest battery market,
China, and globally.
Furthermore, the cooperation
will support China’s carbon reduction target and accelerate
global progress towards carbon neutrality. Both companies will
also assess joint upstream resourcing to strengthen the security
of raw material supply.
“The strategic partnership
with SVOLT will further enhance our strong position in the
fast-growing battery materials market,” said Dr. Peter
Schuhmacher, President, Catalysts division. “As a globally
leading battery materials supplier, BASF is ideally positioned
to deliver tailored high-performance cathode active materials
for SVOLT’s leading cell technology.”
Yang Hongxin, Chairman and
CEO of SVOLT, said, “The strategic cooperation with BASF is an
important part of SVOLT’s global supply chain. This strategic
cooperation will help us to complement each other’s strengths
along the battery supply chain, accelerate innovation
capabilities in CAM R&D, and continuously promote portfolio
innovation and core competitiveness for EV batteries.”
As the largest chemical
supplier to the automotive industry, BASF has established a
strong position in the CAM market including a global
manufacturing and R&D footprint, and a broad portfolio of mid-
to high-nickel, manganese-rich, cobalt-free CAM. In Europe, BASF
is introducing CAM production with an industry-leading carbon
footprint through its advanced process technology, a secured
local raw materials supply chain, a favorable energy mix for
production, as well as short and effective logistics along the
supply chain. BASF is continuously working closely with partners
to accelerate innovation and form a sustainable battery value
chain worldwide.
SVOLT is a global high-tech
company for batteries. It has established seven R&D centers in
Wuxi, Baoding, Shanghai and Shenzhen in China as well as in
Japan, Korea and India. Its unique high-speed stacking
technology, high-safety cobalt-free batteries, solid-state
batteries, automotive-grade AI intelligent manufacturing, etc.
are all at world leading level. It is actively expanding the
upstream and downstream value chains and strives to build a
great company in global new energy industry.
SVOLT Energy
Technology Co., Ltd. 蜂巣能源科技有限公司
中国の完成車メーカーである長城汽車股份有限公司（Great Wall Motor Company
Limited）の動力電池事業部から独立し、2018年に江蘇省常州市に設立されたリチウムイオン電池関連製品の研究開発、製造を行う企業。中国国内を始め韓国、インドにも研究開発拠点をもち、新エネルギー自動車向けの最先端材料の研究開発を強化している。
SVOLT Energy Technology (formerly the Battery Business Unit of
Great Wall Motor) started pre-research work on batteries in
2012, and separated as an independent entity in February 2018.
Headquartered in Changzhou, Jiangsu, SVOLT is committed to
spearheading innovation in the manufacturing and R&D of the
next-generation of battery materials, cells, modules, systems,
BMS and energy storage systems.
Our company has about 3100 employees, including 1400 R&D
engineers. We will have invested 26 billion yuan in global
planning for plant construction by 2025.
SVOLT Energy Technology Co., Ltd.
(SVOLT) announced the start of series production of its proprietary
novel nickel-manganese (NMX) battery cells
at a ceremony in Jintan, Chin
Series production of the new NMX
batteries has started on schedule. The pilot production with ten tons of
cobalt-free cathode material was successfully completed at the battery
cell factory in Jintan back in January 2021. SVOLT has been
mass-producing the cobalt-free cathode material since April.
SVOLT is initially producing two
sizes of its NMX batteries (115 Ah and 226 Ah), which are
75 percent nickel and 25 percent manganese.
Thanks to the complete elimination of the heavy metal cobalt, one of the
most expensive and controversial cathode elements, as well as a lowered
nickel content, SVOLT’s cobalt-free NMX cells are not only much more
sustainable, but also around five percent cheaper than classic NCM
battery cells. This makes them particularly suitable for the broad
mid-range market. (Ah= ampere hour)
On 12 July
2021,
Svolt and
Stellantis announce
battery partnership.
From 2025 onwards,
Stellantis will also
source its lithium-ion
batteries from SVOLT.
SVOLT will provide
Stellantis with a broad
product portfolio for
this purpose, from
battery cells and
high-voltage storage
systems to battery
management systems. For
the order, SVOLT will
use its production
capacities in China and
future production
capacities in Europe.
With the partnership,
SVOLT is part of
Stellantis’ global EV
battery sourcing
strategy of more than
130 GWh by 2025 and 260
GWh by 2030. Stellantis
will use two battery
chemistries to support
various customer needs:
a high energy-density
option and a nickel
cobalt-free alternative.
2021年9月17日、四川省成都市に動力電池の新工場を設けると発表した。年産能力は60ギガワット時。併せて研究開発（Ｒ＆Ｄ）拠点も設置する。
成都東部新区内に220億元（約3,700億円）を投じて建設する。The project will be industrialized in three
phases, with expansion stages of 20 GWh each.
Sika to buy former BASF chemicals company
from Lone Star for $6 bln
Sika to buy MBCC Group for 5.5 billion Swiss francs
Says deal will boost earnings strongly from first year
Says deal will help become a "sustainability champion"
Shares trade 10% higher
Swiss chemicals company Sika has agreed to buy MBCC Group for 5.5 billion Swiss
francs ($6 billion) to boost its position in sustainable building, making its
biggest ever acquisition in the fragmented $70 billion construction chemicals
sector.
Sika said on Thursday it was buying MBCC, the
former BASF Construction Chemicals, from an affiliate of private equity firm
Lone Star Funds. MBCC's products include long-lasting
flooring systems and admixtures to extend the life of concrete.
"Going forward, we need products for ... a sustainable, CO2-reduced footprint in
the construction industry. For this, we cannot just modify what we have been
doing in the past," Chief Executive Thomas Hasler told a press conference in
Zurich.
Sika has identified sustainability as a major driver in the construction market,
as building users seek to extend the life-span of their offices and factories
and use materials with lower carbon footprints.
The deal "will add about 30% to Sika's topline and 25% to its EBITDA, thereby
making it the undisputed global market leader in construction chemicals,"
Vontobel analysts said.
MBCC, based in Mannheim, Germany, expects 2021 sales of 2.9 billion Swiss
francs.
The move for MBCC represents a step change for Sika, which has already
bought seven small companies in China, Mexico, the United States, Japan, Brazil
and Russia this year.
中国 Shenzhen
Landun Holding Co. Ltd. professional waterproof system operation
supplier
メキシコ Bexel Internacional S.A. de C.V. solutions for construction
米国 American Hydrotech Inc. premium waterproofing and roofing
products
米国 DriTac USA 2021 premium grade adhesives
ブラジル BR Massa (Supermassa do Brasil Ltda.)
ロシア Kreps LLC leading
mortar manufacturer
Sika, whose products are used in areas such
as waterproofing, is stepping up acquisitions, aiming to increase its share of
the construction chemicals market from around 10% now to 12% by 2025.
It expects that market to increase to around 80 billion francs per year by 2025
from 70 billion francs currently, with government stimulus programmes and trends
towards more sustainable building fuelling a global infrastructure boom.
Baader Helvea analyst Markus Mayer was surprised Sika was buying the former BASF
business for a 64% uplift to the price Lone Star paid in 2019, after Sika had at
the time flagged several weak points of the business.
"To turn around the weak spots of MBCC will be one of the most challenging tasks
for Sika," Mayer said. "In contrast, the integration track record of Sika is
very strong and therefore if anyone can turn around the business it might be
Sika."
The deal represents a multiple of 11.5 times MBCC's expected 2022 EBITDA, Sika
said. Sika expects to achieve synergies of 160–180 million francs, bringing the
multiple down to 8.5.
It will finance the deal, which it expects to be "strongly accretive" to
earnings per share from the first full year after closing, with a bridge loan.
Bank of America (BAC.N) advised Sika on the deal.
NOVEMBER 18, 2021
KaMin to Acquire BASF Kaolin
Minerals
Business
KaMin
LLC,
a global performance minerals company owned by IMin Partners,
and BASF announced today
that
they have entered into a
definitive
agreement in which KaMin will acquire the
BASF
kaolin minerals business.
Currently, the
kaolin minerals business is part of BASF’s
Performance
Chemicals
division.
The
transaction
includes production
hub
sites
in Daveyville, Toddville, Edgar, Gordon and related mines, reserves and mills
in
Toomsboro
and Sandersville in Georgia, USA.
The co-located
refinery catalysts
operations will continue to be owned and
operated by BASF’s refinery catalysts business and are not part of the
divestiture.
“The acquisition of BASF’s kaolin business
is a transformative step forward in KaMin’s
strategy. The combination of these two
complementary businesses allows us to further diversify our company into growth
-oriented
markets and augment our overall
manufacturing and technical capabilities,” said Michael W. Nelson, President and
Chief Executive
Officer of KaMin. “By
combining BASF’s calcine portfolio with KaMin’s hydrous products, we will be
able to provide a compelling suite of kaolin-based
performance mineral solutions to our distributor partners and customers
globally.”
C. Rankin Hobbs, Partner
and Co-Founder
of IMin Partners added, “This
deal extends IMin’s portfolio in the industrial minerals
sector and creates a significant opportunity to deliver enhanced value to all
stakeholders
—
investors, employees, customers
and suppliers.”
“BASF’s kaolin minerals business is a well-positioned
player in the growing specialty industrial minerals market. Joining a
global performance minerals player will provide a more conducive environment for
longer term profitable growth for the
business,” added
Dr. Thomas Kloster, President of BASF’s Performance Chemicals division.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory
clearances
.
Pending approval by the relevant merger
authorities, closing of the transaction is expected in
the second half of 2022. The parties have agreed not to disclose financial
details of the transaction.
Grace Matthews, Inc. is serving as the exclusive financial advisor to KaMin and
IMin Partners.
About KaMin
–
KaMin is recognized
in the industry as a global supplier
with more than
90
years of experience in delivering
performance mineral solutions in a broad spectrum of end use markets including:
building & construction, automotive &
catalyst, agriculture, health & beauty, packaging,
and specialty & graphic paper. The company mines, produces, and
distributes its products from its three US plants located in Georgia
—
Macon, Sandersville and Wrens
—
and internationally
through their Cadam subsidiary facilities in Brazil
and Europe.
A leader in fine particle kaolin,
CADAM SA has been mining and processing kaolin
for nearly 40 years. Founded in 1976 in the Jari River region of
northern Brazil, today CADAM’s product
portfolio features quality kaolin clays with high shear rheology for optimal
smoothness and coverage.
KaMin LLC purchased
a controlling interest in the firm in 2012, and CADAM’s extensive
premium reserves and competitive cost position have made KaMin the second
largest kaolin clay enterprise worldwide, reinforcing its position as the
global leader in fine and ultrafine particle kaolin clays widely used in
high carbonate coating formulations.
About IMin Partners
–
IMin Partners is a capital source and a strategic partner to businesses, owners
and management teams
in the specialty raw materials industry. With an exclusive focus on the
industrial minerals and specialty chemicals industries,
our core competencies include equity capital investments, operational and market
expertise, alignment of i
nterests and
development of culture.
www.iminpartners.com
2021/11/29
ENGIE
and BASF sign power purchase agreement for renewable energy in Europe
Long-term PPA over 25 years
Total volume amounts up to
20.7 terawatt hours
Renewable energy for
low-emission chemical production
ENGIE（French utility）and BASF
have signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for renewable
energy in Europe. Under the PPA, effective as of January 1, 2022,
ENGIE will provide BASF with up to 20.7
terawatt hours of renewable electricity in total throughout
the term of the agreement.
Multiple European BASF sites will
be supplied from ENGIE’s renewable project portfolio in Europe. The
electricity will initially come from onshore
wind farms located in various sites throughout the Spanish territory
in which ENGIE acts as equity investor or energy manager. In
the further course, ENGIE will have the option to either deliver
power from existing Spanish assets or from future onshore and
offshore wind farms.
“BASF and ENGIE have been working
together for many years. With this agreement we take a significant
next step on our path to climate-neutral chemical production. One
important lever is replacing fossil-based electricity with renewable
electricity. This long-term contract with a key player in the
European energy market secures substantial volumes of electricity
from renewable sources for BASF. At the same time, it makes BASF an
enabler for green energy triggering additional projects for
renewable power in Europe,” said Dr. Martin Brudermüller, Chairman
of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE.
Catherine MacGregor, CEO of ENGIE,
said: “Thanks to our large, diverse and growing portfolio of
renewable energy production, ENGIE is able to provide carbon-free
energy and electricity to its clients, including leading
multinational companies such as BASF. It demonstrates our ability to
accompany them on their own path to carbon neutrality, an
achievement we are very proud of. This contract will deliver steady
economic and environmental value in the long run for both partners.”
BloombergNEF, the reference in
terms of strategic analysis in the field of energy transition, ranks
ENGIE first position at the end of July 2021 for signed corporate
PPAs. At the end of September, ENGIE has already signed new
Corporate Power Purchase Agreements for a total volume of 1.9
gigawatts since the beginning of the year (versus 1.5 gigawatts for
the full year 2020), to provide major industrial and tech companies
with renewable power.
This agreement is fully aligned
with ENGIE’s long-term strategy to develop renewables and BASF’s
climate protection goals. BASF aims to reduce its greenhouse gas
emissions by 25% by the year 2030 compared with 2018 and to achieve
net-zero emissions by 2050.
From 2030 onwards, BASF wants to
implement low-emission technologies, such as CO2-free
methods for the production of hydrogen and electrically heated steam
crackers, which will significantly increase BASF’s demand of
renewable power.
07 Dec 2021 BASF
to spin off catalysts unit
BASF said it would carve out its
mobile emissions catalysts business
and spend up to EUR4.5bn on battery materials and recycling.
The stand alone mobile
emissions catalysts and associated precious metal services
entity will be based in Iselin, New Jersey.
The new stand alone structure
will prepare the business for the upcoming changes in the
internal combustion engine market and allow for future strategic
options, BASF said in a statement.
The new entity will continue
to operate globally and comprise 20 production sites and 4,000
employees.
The carve out process will
start in January 2022 and is expected to take up to 18 months.
Markus Kamieth, in charge of
the surface technologies segment, said: “BASF continuously
evaluates its portfolio and with the carve-out we want to give
this business more entrepreneurial freedom and agility, so it
can focus even better on the needs of its markets and
customers.”
BASF Automotive Catalysts and
Recycling will be a distinct legal entity structure headed by
Dirk Bremm as CEO.
“BASF will become a leader in
innovative and sustainable cathode active materials with a
significant production capacity footprint in Asia, Europe and
North America,” said Peter Schuhmacher, president of the
catalysts
ーーーーーーーーーーー
2017/3/3
BASF、インドでの排ガス触媒生産能力を2倍に拡張 チェンナイに於ける新規生産工場の運用を開始
BASF傘下のグループ会社で、インドの触媒事業を担う、BASF
Catalysts India Private Limitedは3月2日、インド・チェンナイにて排ガス触媒生産工場の操業を開始した。
現地法人である、BASF India Limitedや BASF
Chemicals India Private Limited、BASF Catalysts India Private
Limitedを通して、BASFは過去4年にわたり、インド国内での生産や研究開発に約3億ユーロを投資しています」とコメントしている。
BASF and Heraeus to form JV in China to recover PGMs
from spent automotive catalysts
BASF and Heraeus have agreed to form a joint
venture (BASF: 50%; Heraeus: 50%) to recover precious metals from spent
automotive catalysts. The new company, named BASF HERAEUS (China) Metal
Resource Co., Ltd will be set up in Pinghu, China（浙江省嘉興市の平湖市）.
The founding of the legal entity is targeted in Q1 2022, following the
approval of the relevant authorities. Construction is planned to begin in
2022, with start of operations in 2023.
China has limited natural resources in
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) consisting predominately of platinum, palladium
and rhodium and strongly relies on imports. Recycling scrap materials, such
as spent automotive catalytic converters, to recover PGMs, enable a circular
economy. The precious metals are used to make new products for the
automotive, chemical, electronics and green hydrogen industries.
Recycled precious metals are furthermore
very environmentally friendly and have as much as a 90% lower CO2
footprint than primary metals from a mine. Ensuring a local supply of
recycled precious metals for China is an enabler for a sustainable future.
Heraeus Precious Metals is a leading
provider of precious metals services and products. The company is one of the
world’s largest refiners of platinum group metals (PGMs) and a leading name
in industrial precious metals trading. Its precious metals products are used
in a wide variety of industries, including the chemical, pharmaceutical,
glass, electronics and automotive industries.
マレーシア
ジョホール州のパシルグダンにある生産拠点は
1999
年に建設され、そのエンジニアリングプラスチックのコンパウンド工場では、Ultramid®
PA
と
Ultradur®
PBTを生産しています。
Ultramid®と
Ultradur®は、自動車用途や電気・電子分野、工業製品、消費財などに使用されています。
March 4, 2022
BASF acquires site for North American battery materials and
recycling expansion in Canada
New site will help to
power North America’s transition to e-mobility and
strengthen BASF’s position as a leading global cathode
active materials (CAM) provider
Target footprint
initially with CAM production followed by precursor cathode
materials, recycling and metals refining capacities
BASF signed an agreement to
secure land for its future cathode active
materials and recycling site in Bécancour, Quebec,
Canada, as part of its commitment to support North American
producers in their transition to e-mobility. A regional supply
chain is critical to ensure reliable and resilient battery
materials supply.
The investment is intended to
further enhance BASF’s CAM production footprint in North America
by complementing its existing manufacturing sites. The new site
allows for ample space to expand up to 100 kt CAM per year with
potential for fully integrated precursor cathode active
materials (PCAM) supply. The site will also be well connected to
BASF’s global metal sourcing network with provision for a nickel
and cobalt intermediates base metal refinery and recycling of
all battery metals (including lithium). The opportunity for
potential future upstream investment integration supports BASF’s
strategy to build an integrated, closed-loop battery materials
ecosystem in all key regions.
Project planning is
progressing and subject to necessary approvals, BASF targets
project commissioning in 2025.
“With new investments in
electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure being announced
continuously in North America, we are pleased to pursue our own
investment in the region,” said Dr. Peter Schuhmacher,
President, Catalysts division. “This land acquisition is a
necessary prerequisite to further advance our strategy to grow
our footprint in key regions to better serve our customer’s
operations with sustainable and reliable local supply. We look
forward to supporting the e-mobility transition in the United
States, Canada, Mexico and beyond.”
With an ideal location along
the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Quebec City, the
new site offers favorable conditions for highly efficient
logistics and it would rely on competitive hydropower to further
reduce the carbon footprint of its products compared to the
industry average.
BASFは、中国の広東省湛江市の新たなフェアブント（統合生産拠点）で、精製アクリル酸（GAA）、アクリル酸ブチル（BA）、およびアクリル酸2エチルヘキシル（2-EHA）の工場を含む、新たな生産設備を着工しました。2025
年までに稼働し、年間生産能力は
BA
が約40万トン、2-EHA
が約10万トンを見込んでいます。
February 9, 2024 BASF to divest shares
in its two joint ventures in Korla, China 新疆ウイグル
BASF to exit joint ventures in China's
Xinjiang, where human rights groups have documented abuses
including forced labour in detention camps
In the fourth quarter of 2023, BASF started
the process to divest its shares in the two joint venture companies
BASF Markor Chemical Manufacturing (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd.
and Markor Meiou Chemical (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. in
Korla, China.
As part of BASF’s global strategy for
1,4-butanediol (BDO), BASF has assessed the market environment and product
carbon footprints (PCF) of BDO and its downstream products from different
production sites worldwide. BDO value chains are under increased competitive
pressure and characterized by global overcapacities. Furthermore, carbide-based
BDO and polytetrahydrofuran produced in Korla have a significantly higher PCF
due to the use of coal as a base raw material and the high energy intensity of
the production process. In the future, BASF will customize its global portfolio
of BDO and affiliated downstream products to provide competitive low-PCF
offerings.
The situation in the Xinjiang region has
always been part of BASF’s overall assessment of its joint ventures in Korla.
Regular due diligence measures including internal and external audits have
not found any evidence of human rights violations in the two joint
ventures. Nonetheless, recently published reports related to the
joint venture partner contain serious allegations that indicate
activities inconsistent with BASF’s values.
2023年11月にマーカー社の社員がウイグル族の自宅を訪問し、中国当局に報告書を送るといったスパイ活動を行っていた疑惑を報じた。Consequently, BASF will accelerate
the ongoing process to divest its shares in the two joint ventures in Korla,
subject to negotiations and required approvals of the relevant authorities.
It is important to note that, also in the context of the public reports, BASF
has no indication that employees of the two joint ventures in Korla were
involved in human rights violations. The most recent reports relate to BASF’s
joint venture partner, in which BASF does not have a stake. BASF’s presence in China remains otherwise unchanged, and the company is fully
committed to its business activities and planned investments in the country.
Already today, Greater China accounts for around half of global chemical
production. Global growth in chemical production until 2030 will be driven by
Greater China, which will account for around 80% of the total growth during the
period from 2022 to 2030.
29. Jänner 2016
BASF and Markor inaugurate new production plant for butanediol in Xinjiang,
China
Today BASF and Xinjiang Markor Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. ( 新疆美克化学工業 “Markor”)
inaugurated a new butanediol (BDO) plant in
Korla, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, in Northwest China. The plant,
which has an annual capacity of 100,000 tons, is operated by a joint venture
between Markor and BASF registered under the name of
Markor Meiou Chemical (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd.
BDO is used in the manufacturing of technical plastics, polyurethanes,
solvents, electronic chemicals and elastic fibers.
Markor Meiou Chemical (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. (Markor 51%, BASF 49%) is
developing a BDO plant with annual capacity of 100,000 tons BDO.
About Markor
Xinjiang Markor Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Markor
Investment Group Co., Ltd. which was founded in 2004. It is located in
Markor Chemical Park in Economic and Technological Development zone, Korla,
Xinjiang, China. By leveraging the comprehensive advantages of local natural
gas resources in Korla, Markor’s BDO production has achieved outstanding
performance in energy saving and environmental protection. Markor is one of
the leading manufacturers in the BDO downstream market, and has achieved
outstanding performance in product quality and customer service.
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July 6, 2016
Today BASF and Xinjiang Markor Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (“Markor”)
inaugurated a new PolyTHF® (polytetrahydrofuran,
chemical name: polytetramethylene ether glycol) plant in Korla, Xinjiang
Uygur autonomous region in northwest China. Commercial products are now
available for delivery to local customers in China.
The plant, with an annual capacity of
50,000 tons of PolyTHF, is operated by a joint venture between BASF and
Markor registered under the name of BASF Markor
Chemical Manufacturing (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd. It will support
customers’ increasing demand. The plant complements BASF’s existing Asian
production facilities in Shanghai, China and Ulsan, Korea. BASF also
produces PolyTHF in Geismar, Louisiana, and Ludwigshafen, Germany, with a
global annual PolyTHF capacity of 350,000 metric tons.
June 24, 2024
BASF decides against investment in nickel-cobalt refining complex in
Indonesia
Today, BASF announced that the
company will not further evaluate a potential investment in a
nickel-cobalt refining complex in Weda
Bay, Indonesia. In 2020, BASF and
Eramet, a global mining and metallurgical group, signed
an agreement to jointly assess the potential of such a project.
“After a thorough evaluation, we
have concluded that we will not execute the nickel-cobalt
refining project in Weda Bay. Since the inception of the
project, the global nickel market has changed significantly. In
particular, the supply options have
evolved and with that BASF’s
availability of battery grade nickel. Consequently, BASF
no longer sees the need to make such a substantial investment to
ensure a resilient metals supply for its battery materials
business,” explained Anup Kothari, Member of the Board of
Executive Directors of BASF SE. The company will stop all
ongoing evaluation and negotiation activities for the project in
Weda Bay.
“A secure, responsible and
sustainable supply of critical raw materials for the production
of precursor cathode active materials, which may also originate
from Indonesia, remains crucial for the future development of
our battery materials business,” said Dr. Daniel Schönfelder,
President of BASF’s Catalysts division. BASF’s battery materials
business operates a dedicated sourcing team, which focuses on
metals and precursor management as well as trading and has
already developed a robust network of partners to ensure a
resilient supply of critical raw materials necessary for its
growing global cathode active materials business.
BASF announces EPA approval of Liberty
ULTRA herbicide
BASF’s Liberty ULTRA herbicide,
powered by innovative Glu-L Technology,
has received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and is now approved for use, subject to state-level
authorizations.
This
next-generation herbicide contains the active ingredient glufosinate-P-ammonium,
also known as L-glufosinate ammonium, and builds on the legacy of
Liberty herbicide, providing an advanced post-knockdown solution for
both broadleaf and grassy weeds.
グルホシネート[ Glufosinate ]
（注）本化合物には光学異性体（D 体及び L 体）が存在する。ラセミ体はアンモニウム塩が「グルホシネート[Glufosinate]」として、また、活性本体である
L 体を選択的に製造した「グルホシネート P ナトリウム塩[Glufosinate-P sodium salt] （D/L
存在比 L 体が 99.9％以上）」についても、国内における農薬登録がなされている。なお、ISO
ではアンモニウム塩ではなく、遊離酸を Glufosinate(ISO)と命名している。
（２）用途：除草剤
アミノ酸系除草剤である。グルタミン合成酵素阻害によりアンモニアが蓄積し、植物の生理機能を阻害して殺草活性を示すと考えられている。
Liberty ULTRA is designed for use
on glufosinate-enabled soybean, cotton, corn, and canola acres. BASF
highlights the product’s enhanced weed control efficacy, stating it
delivers 20% superior performance and has outperformed generic
alternatives in nine out of ten head-to-head comparisons.
“As farmers increasingly rely on
glufosinate in their weed management programs, the demand for
enhanced efficacy and efficiency of this herbicide is more apparent
than ever,” said Matt Malone, Product Manager for BASF Agricultural
Solutions. “With a narrowing number of effective knockdown tools in
the U.S., BASF’s latest innovation, Liberty ULTRA herbicide, will
offer American farmers a post knockdown tool that delivers improved
performance and convenience thanks to the new Liberty Lock
formulation and BASF’s patented Glu-L Technology.”
BASF says
Glu-L Technology enhances the herbicide’s active ingredient,
allowing it to deliver more power per gallon and cover 33 percent
more acres than generics. The formulation improves leaf adhesion and
herbicide absorption, resulting in nearly three times the weed
penetration compared to other glufosinate-based products. Liberty
ULTRA’s efficiency is paired with a lower standard use rate of 24
fluid ounces, providing growers with both convenience and
performance.
BASF also emphasizes the
product’s ability to tackle tough weeds like palmer amaranth,
waterhemp, giant ragweed, and kochia, helping farmers maximize their
yields. Liberty ULTRA’s launch sets the stage for additional Glu-L
Technology-based herbicides expected from BASF in the near future.
September
14, 2020
BASF acquires Glu-L technology from
AgriMetis
Glu-L will deliver
an improved, highly concentrated weed control solution
reducing the needed amount of the
product by up to 50 percent
Provides a new
production process with broad patent protection
Acquisition further
strengthens BASF’s competitive position in the crop
protection industry by delivering a new tool to fight
weed resistance
BASF Agricultural
Solutions acquired the proprietary Glu-L™ technology for L-glufosinate
ammonium from AgriMetis™, an
industry leader in biotechnological innovations for crop
protection. With this technology, BASF will provide farmers
with a more efficient solution and improved formulation to
protect against troublesome weeds.
“The Glu-L technology
builds on BASF’s continued commitment to innovative
solutions that help farmers solve their most pressing
challenges,” said Paul Rea, Senior Vice President, BASF
Agricultural Solutions North America. “We know weed
resistance continues to threaten farming operations, and
this needed technology will help address this concern. It
will also contribute to sustainable farming practices by
reducing the amount of product needed to control weeds.”
With continued growth in
the crop protection and seeds market, coupled with an
expanding global population, it is increasingly important to
conserve natural resources and meet consumer demand for
transparency and food safety. Glu-L helps meet this demand.
Today’s glufosinate products consist of the active L-glufosinate
ammonium and the inactive D-glufosinate ammonium. The Glu-L
technology converts the latter into active L-glufosinate
ammonium. This makes the new product significantly more
efficient.
While weed control with
Glu-L is equivalent to currently available commercial
glufosinate products, farmers applying the new technology
can reduce the amount of crop protection they need to apply
by up to 50 percent. This reduction will help create
efficiencies for both farmers and the channel and make the
distribution and application of the product even more
sustainable than today’s solutions.
In addition, the
comprehensive patent protection for this new technology puts
BASF in a strong competitive position for the coming years.
Glu-L has been submitted to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) and will launch in the next few
years upon agency approval. It will also be launched in
other relevant regions.
BASF’s Agricultural
Solutions division is continuously investing in its
portfolio and researching new solutions that benefit
farmers, the environment and society.
モンサントの農業生産性イノベーション責任者であるジェレミー・ウイリアム（Dr.
Jeremy
Williams)は、「SpinoMetisTMプラットフォームを使用したモンサントの初期実験では、生産者にとって経済的に大きな影響を及ぼす害虫に対して有望な結果が示されました。この結果を受け、モンサントの研究チームは、ほ場での評価へと拡大したいと願っています」とし、「モンサントは、生産者が生育期ごとに直面する多様な問題への対応を支援するため、持続可能なモダン・アグリカルチャー（近代農業）ソリューションの開発に尽力しています。このプラットフォームは、哺乳類と花粉媒介昆虫にとって安全な環境を維持しながら害虫防除を強化できる可能性を持っています」と語っています。
ペトロナス・ケミカルズ・グループ（PCG）のダトック・ワン・ズルキフリー・ワン・アリフィン会長は次のように述べています。
