BASF successfully launches world-scale plant for sustainable chelating agent Trilon M ahead of schedule

At a glance

BASF has completed the expansion of its Trilon M plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, three months ahead of schedule. The expansion increases BASF's annual production capacity of chelating agents to 120,000 tonnes, in response to growing global demand for environmentally friendly chelating agents. Trilon M is a biodegradable chelating agent used in detergents and cleaners, and its sustainability has been confirmed in an ecoefficiency study. The expansion has also created 18 new jobs in Ludwigshafen. BASF also manufactures chelating agents in Lima, Ohio, USA, and Guaratinguetá, Brazil.

Ludwigshafen, Germany – After 18 months of construction, the new plant expansion for BASF's chelating agent Trilon® M has now been brought on stream at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The move strengthens the company's position as one of the world's leading chelating agent producers. Expansion of the Trilon M plant has created 18 new jobs in Ludwigshafen.

"This world scale plant – which is fully integrated in the BASF Verbund – has been brought on stream three months ahead of the scheduled completion date," executive director Dr. John Feldmann announces. "This achievement is another example of the excellent cooperation at BASF that enables us to execute complex investment projects in record time – from plant development, planning, and construction by BASF engineers, right through to successful startup.“

From now on, BASF has at its disposal a global annual production capacity of 120,000 tonnes for chelating agents. "The capacity expansion is BASF's response to the increasing global demand for modern chelating agents," Feldmann comments. BASF expects double-digit percentage growth rates for environment-friendly chelating agents. Apart from Ludwigshafen, BASF also manufactures chelating agents in Lima, Ohio, USA, and Guaratinguetá, Brazil. Trilon M can be manufactured in Lima, as well as in Ludwigshafen, ensuring global availability.

The Trilon M brand name stands for methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), a high-performance, eco-friendly, safe chelating agent in the class of aminocarboxylates. Chelating agents reduce metal ion concentrations in aqueous solutions. They do so by converting poorly soluble compounds to compounds that dissolve readily in water, in that way increasing the cleaning effect of detergents and dishwashing agents as well as industrial and all-purpose cleaners.

Trilon M is readily biodegradable and available in liquid and solid forms, and does not need any risk phrase labeling according to the EU legislation. Trilon M's sustainability has been confirmed in an ecoefficiency study. "Our customers now have the option of integrating a strong, environment-friendly, safe chelating agent in their product formulations," states Gabriel Tanbourgi, head of Care Chemicals division at BASF. "We contribute in that way to our customers' longterm success and help improve the eco-compatibility of detergents and cleaning agents."

Trilon M is suitable for use in modern dishwasher detergents as a replacement for phosphate. In industrial & institutional applications, Trilon M is a no-labeling-required alternative to conventional chelating agents for use in detergents and cleaners.

About BASF’s Care Chemicals & Formulators
BASF’s Care Chemicals & Formulators business unit develops, produces and markets a comprehensive range of products for cosmetics, detergents & cleaners, and industrial and chemical applications. The portfolio includes personal care ingredients, surfactants, polymers, chelating agents, biocides, waxes and wax emulsions, as well as metal surface treatment products. Care Chemicals & Formulators is part of BASF's Care Chemicals division.