European Chemical Industry News & Insights

BASF Opens New 2-Mercaptoethanol Plant in Ludwigshafen

At a glance
  • The new 2-mercaptoethanol plant started operations in Q4 2021.
  • It replaces a 40-year-old facility at the Ludwigshafen site.
  • The new plant has a production capacity of over 10,000 metric tons per year.
  • 2-ME is used in plastics, crop protection, oilfield chemicals, and coatings.

New Plant Operations

A new production plant for 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME) at BASF's Ludwigshafen Verbund site began regular operations in the fourth quarter of 2021. This new facility replaces the previous plant, which had been in operation for over 40 years.

Production Capacity

The new plant maintains the same production capacity as the old one, producing more than 10,000 metric tons of 2-ME annually. It is fully integrated into BASF's production Verbund, ensuring seamless operations and efficiency.

Applications of 2-ME

2-ME is a valuable intermediate used in various industries. It plays a crucial role in the production of plastics, crop protection products, oilfield chemicals (such as Basocorr® ME), and coatings. The new plant's output will continue to support these applications.

Enhanced Supply Reliability

The new facility aims to enhance the reliability of 2-ME supply to customers worldwide. BASF's global logistics network will further support this objective, ensuring consistent and dependable delivery of the chemical.