BASF expands capacity for medium-molecular polyisobutenes
At its site in Ludwigshafen, BASF has expanded its capacity for medium-molecular polyisobutenes by 10 000 t/a. For that purpose, a new plant section was successfully taken into operation in the 3rd quarter of this year. With this startup, the overall BASF capacity for medium-molecular polyisobutenes has been increased up to 16 000 t/a.
The production plant has been designed in a way that additional capacity expansions are possible with a minor investment. This allows BASF the flexibility to react to further increases in demand.
The plant section now has been started up, is using a technology developed by BASF which has already proven successful in manufacturing of low-molecular highly reactive polyisobutenes at BASF Antwerp. This is a chlorine-free process, where the molecular weight is adjusted through selective polymerization of isobutene in the presence of a special catalyst system.
Medium-molecular polyisobutenes are marketed by BASF under the trade name Oppanol®. They are mainly used to manufacture sealants and adhesives.
BASF is one of the top suppliers of these products worldwide and is expecting market growth of more than 5% per annum.
Polyisobutenes are an important component in BASF's C4 value chain. The additional capacities add further strength to the Verbund system at the site Ludwigshafen.
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