The mothballed BASF plant for the manufacture of tetrahydrofuran (THF) at the Caojing site near Shanghai, China, is ready to go back on stream. The plant is now equipped with a new production unit enabling the alternative use of butane diol (BDO) as a raw material for THF production in addition to butane. Among others, THF is used as a raw material to produce PolyTHF. With the move, the company sustainably improves the reliability of local industrial raw material supply for the neighboring PolyTHF plant, which has been in operation since the first quarter of 2005. Additionally, the production of maleic anhydride (MAN) as a commercial product alongside THF will be possible, presumably with effect from early 2010.
With the move, the company sustainably improves the reliability of local industrial raw material supply for the neighboring PolyTHF plant, which has been in operation since the first quarter of 2005. Additionally, the production of maleic anhydride (MAN) as a commercial product alongside THF will be possible, presumably with effect from early 2010.
"The new production unit improves our flexibility in three respects," said Dr. Walter Gramlich, president, head of the Operating Division Intermediates of the BASF-Group, and continued: "First, we can extract MSA as a market product starting in 2009/2010 and thus develop new growth markets in China. Second, we can also choose the most favorable raw material and so improve our competitiveness. And third, our new flexibility on the raw material side considerably increases the security of supply for our PolyTHF customers."
Gramlich emphasizes: "Our local PolyTHF production in Shanghai has established us as a reliable partner for our PolyTHF customers in China and Asia. We are now engaged in cooperations with leading producers of Spandex fibers who know they can rely on our highly valuable product complete with a full range of technical services. In response to continuously growing customer demand, we are presently exploring potentials for further expansion of our PolyTHF capacity in Asia Pacific."
BASF has a global ,Verbund" network of production plants for THF and PolyTHF located close to the customers. These are the Asian sites in Ulsan (Korea) and Caojing (China) as well as Ludwigshafen (Germany) und Geismar, Louisiana (USA).
PolyTHF and MAN: Versatile chemical intermediates from BASF
PolyTHF is used in the production of elastic spandex fibers for textiles such as sportswear, swimwear, underwear and outerwear. In addition to its role in textiles, PolyTHF is also an important intermediate for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), which are used for example in the manufacture of highly abrasion-resistant, yet flexible hoses, films and cable sheathing. Other TPU applications include thermoplastic polyetheresters and polyetheramides or cast elastomers required for the production of wheels for skateboards and inline skates. THF not only serves as a precursor of PolyTHF, but is also used as a special solvent, for example, in the production of pharmaceutical products.
MAN serves mainly as a building block to produce unsaturated polyester resins. These resins are widely used in the form of composite materials, above all in the shipbuilding, construction and automobile industries. Parts made of these resins stand out for their high strength and particularly light weight. Maleic anhydride is used for many other applications, too, and notably for producing water-soluble polymers and lubricants.
BASF
The BASF Group's Intermediates Division develops, produces and markets the world's largest range of intermediates. The most important of the Division's more than 600 products include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001:2000-certified Intermediates Division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In 2006, the division generated world sales of about €2.3 billion euros with 2,600 employees.
BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a reliable partner to virtually all industries, BASF's high-value products and intelligent system solutions help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to meet the challenges of the future and open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. BASF has approximately 95,000 employees and posted sales of €52.6 billion in 2006. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN).
