- SAP capacity will increase to 175,000 tonnes/year from 115,000 tonnes/year.
- A new 160,000 tonnes/year acrylic acid plant will be built.
- New capacities will be available by 2008.
- Acrylic acid is used in SAP, varnishes, paints, and esters.
Production Capacity Increase
BASF plans to increase production capacities for acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) in Antwerp, and for butyl acrylate in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The SAP capacity will rise to 175,000 tonnes/year from the current 115,000 tonnes/year.
New Acrylic Acid Plant
To support this increase, a new acrylic acid plant with a capacity of 160,000 tonnes/year will be constructed, complementing the existing 160,000 tonnes/year plant. This additional acrylic acid will be used for SAP production in Antwerp and will also supply additional volumes for Ludwigshafen as part of the European integrated production system.
Timeline
The new capacities are expected to be available by 2008. This expansion is driven by existing and new long-term supplier agreements, primarily with strategic customers. Contracts are already in place covering the majority of the additional sales volume.
Applications of Acrylic Acid
Acrylic acid is a key precursor in the production of superabsorbent polymers, which are mainly used in nappies and other hygienic products. Other derivatives of acrylic acid include pure acrylate dispersions used as binders in varnishes and paints, as well as acrylic acid esters.
