- Total investment is about €1 billion, creating around 200 jobs.
- Production will start at the end of 2014.
- BASF will close its 80,000 metric ton TDI plant in Schwarzheide.
- The new plant will produce TDI, used in flexible polyurethane foams.
Investment and Job Creation
BASF will invest approximately €1 billion to build a 300,000 metric tons per year TDI (toluene diisocyanate) production plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. This investment will create around 200 additional jobs at the site.
Production Timeline
The new TDI plant is scheduled to start production at the end of 2014. Concurrently, BASF will close its existing 80,000 metric tons per year TDI plant in Schwarzheide, Germany.
Supporting Infrastructure
The project includes the construction of a new hydrogen chloride recycling plant and the expansion of existing plants for nitric acid, chlorine, and synthesis gas. Additionally, the aromatics complex at Ludwigshafen will be expanded to supply toluene.
Strategic Importance
The new TDI plant will enhance BASF's production synergies, raw material integration, and logistics at its largest Verbund site in Ludwigshafen. This will support additional growth in other BASF value chains.
Future Developments
At the Schwarzheide site, BASF will focus on developing site structures to meet future needs, emphasizing specialty products. In Europe, BASF will have two strong sites for polyurethane basic products: Ludwigshafen for TDI and Antwerp for MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate) and propylene oxide.
Applications of TDI
TDI is a core component for polyurethanes, widely used in the automotive industry for seating cushions and interior applications, as well as in the furniture segment for flexible foams in mattresses, cushions, and wood coatings.
