BASF says that due to persistent high temperatures and low water levels on the Rhine River, it has had to reduce production and adjust logistics at Ludwigshafen, Germany, the company’s largest manufacturing site. It declined to provide details on which manufacturing plants are affected.
BASF says it had to adjust production levels at the site because the amount of water withdrawn from the Rhine for cooling purposes, among others, is limited by the local authorities; and the re-entry temperature of the cooling water is also restricted. In addition, the company says that if the water level continues to fall, it will limit the amount of goods that can be transported along the Rhine. At present, despite the low Rhine water levels, inland waterway transport can still be maintained through the use of a larger number of vessels.
In view of current weather and water-level forecasts, BASF is preparing to shift to alternative modes of transport, including rail and road, for outbound and inbound transport from Ludwigshafen. The company notes that delivery bottlenecks may occur if the weather conditions persist. BASF says it is in close contact with its customers. The company says that at this stage it cannot quantify the economic impact the measures will have.
By: Natasha Alperowicz
Source: Chemical Week
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