BASF pursues capacity expansion of integrated ethylene oxide complex at its Verbund site in Antwerp

Germany’s chemical giant BASF is pursuing significant capacity expansion of the integrated ethylene oxide complex at its Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. The project includes capacity expansions for ethylene oxide and for several downstream derivatives, such as surfactants.

In Europe, BASF operates ethylene oxide plants in Antwerp and Ludwigshafen, Germany, with a combined capacity of 845,000 metric tons per year. The company is the largest producer of ethylene oxide derivatives in the region. Major ethylene oxide derivatives are surfactants, ethanol amines, glycol ethers, polyether polyols and other specialty products used in a wide range of industries such as home and personal care, industrial applications and the automotive industry.

BASF intends to further strengthen its backward integration into ethylene oxide to support continued growth of its customers in downstream markets. The final investment decision is expected to be made in 2019.

BASF’s portfolio is organised into five segments: Chemicals, Performance Products, Functional Materials & Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Oil & Gas. BASF generated sales of EUR 64.5 billion (USD 75.5 billion) in 2017. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt, Germany (BAS), London, UK (BFA) and Zurich, Switzerland (BAS).

echo '