BASF plans to expand vinylformamide capacity in Ludwigshafen

10-07-2012: 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.

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.