- The new acetylene plant has an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tons.
- It replaces the previous plant from 1964 after a transition period of several months.
- The plant consumes 10% fewer fossil raw materials per ton of end product.
- Construction involved 35,000 cubic meters of concrete, 8,500 tons of steel, and 1,500 employees.
New Acetylene Plant in Ludwigshafen
BASF has commenced operations at its new acetylene plant located at the Ludwigshafen Verbund site. The plant boasts an annual production capacity of 90,000 metric tons and will replace the previous facility, which has been in operation since 1964, after a transition period of several months.
Efficient Production
The new plant is designed to be more efficient, consuming approximately 10 percent fewer fossil raw materials per ton of end product compared to its predecessor. Acetylene, a colorless gas composed of two hydrogen and two carbon atoms, is produced from natural gas and oxygen. It serves as a versatile chemical building block for various products, including plastics, pharmaceuticals, solvents, electrochemicals, and highly elastic textile fibers. These products are utilized by BASF customers in industries such as automotive, pharma, construction, consumer goods, and textiles.
Construction Details
The construction of the new acetylene plant was a significant undertaking, involving the use of over 35,000 cubic meters of concrete and 8,500 tons of steel across a 40,000 square meter area. At peak times, the site saw the presence of 1,500 employees who laid nearly 90 kilometers of pipes and 850 kilometers of cable. The project also required the assembly and installation of 440 customized fractionating columns, machines, and technical equipment sourced from twelve different countries. The centerpiece of the plant is a gas separation unit measuring 60 meters in length and weighing 225 tons, which was transported by ship from China to Ludwigshafen.
