BASF to increase engineering plastics compounding capacity in Europe

BASF Headquarters (C) BASF press photos

• Expansion by 10,000 tons at the Schwarzheide site
• Anticipated annual growth of more than five per cent in engineering plastics in Europe

LUDWIGSHAFEN, GERMANY: BASF is increasing its compounding capacities for the engineering plastics Ultramid  (polyamide ) and Ultradur (PBT: polybutylene terephthalate) at its Schwarzheide site by 10,000 metric ton per year. This is a first step within the scope of the capacity expansions that are planned in view of the sharp rise in demand in Europe. Already in the first quarter of 2011, BASF announced that it would be doubling its compounding capacities for engineering plastics in China and Korea.

“Engineering plastics in Europe came out of the economic crisis more quickly than expected back in early 2010. Also demand rose by more than 30 per cent in 2010. For 2011, we are counting on double-digit growth. Consequently, the consumption will already have returned to the pre-crisis level in 2011,” explained Dr Willy Hoven-Nievelstein, Head of the Business Unit Engineering Plastics Europe, BASF.

“We are anticipating an average annual growth of more than five per cent, which is why we are going to considerably expand our compounding capacities for engineering plastics in Europe in the coming years,” added Hoven-Nievelstein.

(C) WOC News