BASF to build new PolyTHF and THF plants in Shanghai
Capacity of PolyTHF plant in Ludwighafen expanded
BASF will build a new integrated production facility for polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF®) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) in the newly developed Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP) at Caojing, Shanghai, China.
The plants with an annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons of PolyTHF and 80,000 metric tons of THF are scheduled to come on stream in 2004. The environmental assessment for the project has already been approved by the Chinese authorities and the economic feasibility study has also been submitted for approval.
The plants will utilize BASF's newly developed proprietary technology to convert butane directly to THF and subsequently to PolyTHF. This innovative technology eliminates the intermediary step of 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) which was previously necessary. This will be the largest PolyTHF production facility worldwide and will supply the rapidly developing Chinese spandex fibers market. China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will further fuel the growth of the textile industry and the corresponding demand for spandex fibers.
This project will be a wholly-owned investment of BASF. Together with Huntsman and Chinese partners, BASF is also planning the construction of an integrated site for polyurethane basic products at SCIP.
The planned investments include the construction of world-scale plants for diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and toluene diisocyanate (TDI) including their precursors. Expected completion of these projects is mid-2005.
BASF is currently the only producer of PolyTHF and THF with production sites in all major regions. Within Asia Pacific, BASF has production facilities for THF and PolyTHF in Japan and Korea. Additional plants are in operation at BASF's sites in Geismar, Louisiana, and in Ludwigshafen, Germany. In Ludwigshafen, BASF is currently starting up the expansion of the existing plant. Capacity is being increased to 56,000 metric tons PolyTHF per year. Including the investment in Shanghai, BASF's worldwide capacity for PolyTHF will be 184,000 metric tons per year.
PolyTHF is an important component in the manufacture of elastic fibers, which are widely used for textile applications like sportswear, inner and outer wear. PolyTHF is also important as an intermediate for thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) used for hoses, films and cable sheathing. Further applications are thermoplastic polyetheresters or polyetheramides and cast elastomers, which are used, for example in the manufacturing of wheels for skateboards and inline skates.
THF is precursor for PolyTHF and is also used as a specialty solvent.
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