BASF has announced a €1bn project to build a single-train 300,000 tpa production plant for TDI, used in polyurethane production, at its Ludwigshafen integrated complex (or Verbund) in Germany.
The group plans to close down its 80,000 tpa TDI production plant in Schwarzheide, Germany, when the new plant goes on stream in 2014. Despite this closure, the new plant will create around 200 additional jobs.
The project includes an expansion of associated plants at Ludwigshafen. BASF will construct a new hydrogen chloride recycling plant and expand plants for nitric acid, chlorine and synthesis gas. It also plans to expand the aromatics complex at the site for the supply of toluene.
“This project will position us as the low-cost TDI producer in Europe due to economies of scale and the highly efficient integration into our Verbund,” said Wayne T. Smith, President of BASF's Polyurethanes division.
“Building our new TDI plant at our largest Verbund site in Ludwigshafen gives us the advantage of the excellent production synergies, raw material integration and logistics. Together with our existing TDI sites in Asia and North America we will be able to optimally serve customers in all major markets.”
BASF said the new investment means it have two strong sites in Europe for polyurethane basic products: Ludwigshafen for the production of TDI and Antwerp for the production of MDI and propylene oxide.