The plant will allow BASF to increase its global alkylethanolamines capacity to 140,000 metric tons per year.
After the modernisation of its production of chloroformates and acid chlorides and the replacement of the plant for the production of 2-mercaptoethanol at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site, BASF has announced further investments with the construction of a new production plant for alkylethanolamines at the Antwerp Verbund site (Belgium).
Once the operations will have started in 2024, BASF will increase its global annual production capacity for the alkylethanolamines portfolio by almost 30%, reaching a total of more than 140,000 metric tons per year. These materials are mostly employed as precursors for flocculants applied in water treatment and in the coatings industry, since they act as binders between pigments and resins. Other possible applications include gas treatment, fabric softeners, in additives for metalworking fluids and polyurethanes.
“We see a continuing, growing demand for alkylethanolamines in a broad range of industries such as water treatment, detergents and gas treatment over the next years. The investment in Antwerp will have a positive effect on the available capacity for alkylalkanolamines in BASF’s amines Verbund, therefore supporting our continued ambition to provide products for our customers’ growth. This is our clear commitment as one of the globally leading amines producers,” stated Dr. Frank Stein from the Regional Business Unit Europe of BASF’s Intermediates division.