- 15 January 2008 -
BASF expands plasticizer business in Asia-Pacific

BASF is expanding its plasticizer business in the Asia-Pacific region by increasing the annual production capacity of its oxo-C4 plant in Nanjing, China, by 55,000 metric tons to 305,000 metric tons by the fourth quarter of 2008. The company says that this will ensure reliable supplies of the precursor alcohols n-butanol and 2-ethylhexanol. In Asia, and in China especially, demand for plasticizers is expected to grow by 4-5 % per year through to 2015.

In addition BASF has established a plasticizer applications laboratory in Shanghai. The new laboratory’s research and development efforts will focus on flexible PVC applications for Hexamoll® DINCH, a non-phthalate plasticizer specially designed for sensitive applications for use in food contact and medical devices, and the recently introduced Palatinol® 10-P, a new C10 plasticizer with a good performance in the automotive and wire and cable applications. BASF says that its technical experts will provide specialized services ranging from trials, tests and on-site technical advice to formulation adjustments and joint development with customers.

BASF AG; www.basf.com