BASF to build new world-scale plant for alkylethanolamines

BASF will build a new world-scale production plant for alkylethanolamines at the Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. 

With a high degree of local backward integration, BASF the plant will ensure a  reliable and sustainable production of alkylethanolamines. With production facilities  for this portfolio at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Antwerp, Belgium; Geismar,  Louisiana, U.S.A., and Nanjing, China, BASF is one of the world’s leading producers of  alkylethanolamines. 

After the planned start-up in 2024, the company  will increase the global annual production capacity of its alkylethanolamines portfolio  containing, amongst others, dimethylethanolamines (DMEOA) and  methyldiethanolamines (MDEOA) by nearly 30% to more than 140,000 metric  tons per year. 

“We see a continuing, growing demand for alkylethanolamines in a broad range of industries such as water treatment, detergents and gas treatment over the next  years. The investment in Antwerp will have a positive effect on the available capacity  for alkylalkanolamines in BASF’s amines Verbund, therefore supporting our  continued ambition to provide products for our customers’ growth,” said Dr. Frank  Stein, Regional Business Unit Europe of BASF’s Intermediates division, adding:  “This is our clear commitment as one of the globally leading amines producers.” 

Alkylethanolamines are mainly used as precursors for flocculants applied in water treatment and in the coatings industry where they act as binders  between pigments and resins. Other applications include gas treatment, fabric  softeners, additives for metalworking fluids and polyurethanes. 

With about 300 different amines, BASF has the world’s most diverse portfolio of this  type of chemical intermediates. Along with alkyl-, alkanol- and alkoxyalkylamines,  the company offers heterocyclic and aromatic as well as specialty amines. The  range is completed by an expanding portfolio of chiral amines of high optical and  chemical purity. The versatile products are used mainly to manufacture process  chemicals, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products, as well as cosmetic  products and detergents. They also serve to produce coatings, special plastics,  composites and special fibers.