BASF to build €500m acrylic acid, superabsorbents plant in Brazil

19 August 2011 14:43  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--BASF will build a world-scale production site for acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in Camacari, Bahia, Brazil, the Germany-based petrochemicals giant said on Friday.

The facility, which is expected to cost more than €500m ($714m) to build, will be the first acrylic acid and superabsorbents plant in South America and BASF’s largest investment in the region.

The construction of the acrylic acid complex will start in 2011 and production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2014, BASF said. Production capacity details were not disclosed.

“Due to the strong growth in Brazil, the time has come for this important investment,” said Stefan Marcinowski, a member of the board of executive directors at BASF.

“It will further strengthen our position and underlines our confidence in the development of the South American market,” he added.

Camacari was chosen as the facility's location based on the availability of raw materials and utilities provided by Brazil-based petrochemical producer Braskem, which will be the strategic supplier for BASF in the project.

“The contract with BASF will bring benefits to the whole acrylic acid value chain, not only because of the production capacity of the project and the size of the investment, but also because of the best-in-class technology available,” said Braskem president Carlos Fadigas.

“We expect the investment to bring a very positive impact of about $300m per year on the trade balance of the country, thereof $200m through reducing imports and $100m through increasing exports,” said Alfred Hackenberger, president of BASF South America.

In addition, BASF said it will produce 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, a raw material for the adhesives and special coatings industries, at its existing chemical complex in Guaratingueta, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Production is expected to start in 2015 on the basis of feedstock acrylic acid being produced in Camacari, the company added.

($1 = €0.70)

For more on BASF visit ICIS company intelligence

By: Franco Capaldo
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