Corrected: BASF to boost US polyol output 40%

05 April 2006 17:40  [Source: ICIS news]

Correction: In the ICIS news story headlined “BASF to boost US polyol output 28%” dated 5 April, please read the headline as “… polyol output 40% …” instead of “… polyol output 28% …” Also, please read in the first paragraph … by 40% … instead of … by 28% … A corrected story follows.

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--BASF will increase its polyols production capacity in the US by 40% to help strengthen its polyurethanes business, the German chemical giant said on Wednesday.

The company will construct two new reactors and revamp two existing reactors used to make polyols at its Geismar, Louisiana site. It will also transfer a major part of the polyol production from its site in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Geismar. It also plans to build a logistics center for polyurethane basic products and other chemicals.

The additions and renovations will cost about $125m (Euro102m) and increase BASF’s US polyol production from 250,000 tonne/year now to 350,000 tonne/year in 2008, the company said.

“These investments will improve the effectiveness of our polyol and TDI manufacturing at Geismar, and will secure a reliable supply of high-quality products to our customers in the long run,” said Bill Bernstein, BASF’s head of polyurethanes in North America.

Polyols are propylene oxide-based materials used to manufacture polyurethane products.

With the additions, BASF’s capacity will better support the existing polyurethane business and replaces to a large extent external tolling arrangements and purchases, the company said.

BASF is the world’s largest chemical company and makes chemicals, plastics, perfor­mance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals.

By: Joseph Lohan
+1 713 525 2653

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