EPCA 2001: BASF makes good progress on Feluy integration

01 October 2001 11:52  [Source: ICIS news]

MONTE CARLO, Monaco (CNI)--The integration by BASF of the Eurodiol and Pantochim activities in Feluy, Belgium is progressing smoothly and all the plants are operating normally, CNI was told on Monday.

The German group completed the Feluy acquisition - a protracted process which the European Commission (EC) eventually approved to avoid the bankruptcy of Eurodiol and Pantochim - in July. Some of the plants had been out of operation from the beginning of the year, when BASF secured the rights to sell 50% of capacity.

"We’ve been well prepared for this [acquisition]," said a BASF source, who preferred not to be named. "It’s been a smooth transition."

The source was speaking here at the European Petrochemical Association (EPCA) annual conference.

BASF acquired Eurodiol and Pantochim, which were formerly part of Italy-based Sisas, to boost its production of butanediol (BDO) and derivatives.

The Feluy sites can currently produce 92 000 tonne of phthalic anhydride (PA), 90 000 tonne of maleic anhydride (MA), 70 000 tonne of BDO/derivatives and 95 000 tonne of plasticisers.

The main aim is to bring the plants up to BASF’s standards, rather than expansion, said the source. BASF will decide at a later stage whether to expand at Feluy or at its other main BDO sites in Germany (Ludwigshafen), the US (Freeport), Japan (Chiba) and South Korea (Yosu). In addition, the group is building new BDO capacity in Kuantan, Malaysia, which is due onstream in about two years time, he added.

The levels of investment required at Feluy are not yet known – "we’re still in the process of cost saving," he said.

By: Anna Jagger
+1 713 525 2653

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly