BASF is planning to build a new plastic additives plant at its Caojing site in Shanghai, China.
The decision is part of its plan to invest more than €200m globally to increase its production network for plastic additives, which was announced in November last year.
The company explained that its new plant with 42,000t annual production capacity will produce antioxidants and associated forms and blends.
Antioxidants help prevent thermal oxidation reactions when plastics are processed at very high-temperatures and light-assisted oxidation when plastics are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Oxidation can cause loss of impact strength, elongation, surface cracks and discoloration of the material.
BASF Asia Pacific performance chemicals unit senior vice-president Hermann Althoff said: “Asia, and particularly the Chinese market, offer significant growth opportunities, driven by diverse applications including packaging, construction, consumer goods, automotive and many more.
“The plant will be built to reach high environmental standards and have one of the most efficient production processes.
“Located within the Caojing complex, it will also benefit from its proximity to our regional application centre in Shanghai that provides technical support to polymer producers and to the converting industry within the region.”
Construction of the new plant is expected to be complete by 2019 and will commence its commercial production operations by early 2020.
BASF is reported to be the only supplier of plastic additives and runs a global production network with production sites in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
Source: Chemicals Technology
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