BASF plans to expand vinylformamide capacity in Ludwigshafen

Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF is planning to expand the manufacturing plant for vinylformamide (VFA) in Ludwigshafen. In addition, BASF intends to increase the polymerization capacity in Ludwigshafen and build a new polymerization line for VFA in China for further processing of the feedstock from Ludwigshafen. This facility will be built at the Zhenjiang site, Jiangsu province.

The total investment is in the three-digit million euro range and will create about 40 new jobs worldwide. Production is scheduled by the end of 2014.

Vinylformamide (VFA) is an important feedstock for water soluble, cationic polymers. These materials are used in the paper industry to increase the efficiency of the production process. Especially the VFA-based, polyvinylamine (PVAm) product line allows paper manufacturers to produce more environmentally friendly and considerably lower their costs.

With the enlarged capacity, BASF will be able to better serve paper makers around the world. “The expansion in Ludwigshafen will allow us to keep up with the growing demand for polyvinylamine. Growth is expected in Europe and the Americas, where paper makers are under an enormous pressure to reduce their cost of operations as well as in Asia, which we consider the growth engine of paper production and demand,” explained Dr. Uwe Liebelt, President of BASF Paper Chemicals division.

About BASF’s Paper Chemicals division

BASF’s Paper Chemicals division offers process chemicals to optimize costs and increase machine efficiency, functional chemicals to lend specific properties to paper, and finishing chemicals to improve the appearance and performance characteristics of printed paper and board. With this comprehensive portfolio, BASF is the leading supplier of paper chemicals worldwide. BASF established Paper Chemicals as a separate division when it acquired Ciba in April 2009. The ISO 9001-certified Paper Chemicals division operates sites in Europe, Asia and the Americas. For more information, go to http://www.paper-chemicals.basf.com

About BASF

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, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 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.