BASF invests in new alcoholates plant in Ludwigshafen

In Germany, BASF said it is investing a mid-double-digit million-dollar amount in a new alcoholates plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. 

The plant will produce sodium methylate and potassium methylate, two important chemicals used for the production of biodiesel and for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications, the firm said. Utilizing state-of-the-art technology, the new plant will replace the existing production facility in Ludwigshafen and is expected to start up in the second half of 2027, it added.

“This investment is another proof of BASF’s strong commitment to its Ludwigshafen site,” said Katja Scharpwinkel, member of the Board of Executive Directors and Director of the Ludwigshafen site. “By building advanced production facilities, we are driving the transformation of the site and enhancing our competitiveness in a global market environment. This is how we put our ‘Winning Ways’ strategy into action and create long-term value for our company’s headquarters.”

“Various industries in Europe and around the globe rely on the high-quality alcoholates we produce in Ludwigshafen,” said Ramkumar Dhruva, President of the Monomers division at BASF. “We are investing in an efficient, Verbund-integrated and future-oriented production process because it is our priority to remain a reliable supplier of alcoholates to our customers in the future.”

Among other uses, alcoholates serve as catalysts and reactants in various industries, mainly for biodiesel and in pharma, or agricultural applications.

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