BASF has commissioned a new plant and has commenced the manufacturing of oxidized polyethylene waxes at the company’s site located in Ludwigshafen of Germany.
A new plant for the manufacture of oxidized polyethylene waxes went into operation at the BASF site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The plant was officially opened by Dr. Stefan Beckmann, Senior Vice President Home Care & Formulation Technologies Europe, Gabriel Tanbourgi, President Care Chemicals, and Dr. Wolfgang Kasel, Head of PE-Wax-Plant (from left to right).
Based on the proprietary process of BASF, high quality oxidized waxes are manufactured at the new plant. This plant will enhance the oxidized polyethylene waxes’ availability at present and in the future.
The new facility can be perfectly fitted to the built-in supply network for energy and raw materials at the Ludwigshafen location of the company. The oxidized waxes are manufactured from the low-density polyethylene wax, which is directly obtained from the polymerization plants of the site.
High-quality waxes are provided to the global markets by BASF with specific needs. The company markets waxes in fine powdered, pastilles and granules, powdered forms under the Luwax brand, and liquid emulsions under the Poligen brand.
In plastic processing, oxidized polyethylene waxes can be utilized as lubricants in order to avoid the plastic that sticks to the machinery’s hot surfaces, improving the material properties of products like PVC profiles and pipes and saving energy.
Oxidized polyethylene waxes can be blended with water. In textiles, wax emulsions are used as finishes for a smoother surface, which results in easy sewing and resistant to pilling and linting. Polyethylene waxes can be utilized as polishes for car bodywork, floors and furniture. Wax emulsions are used for surface protection and safety enhancement by raising the slip resistance. The surface of the glossy magazines is protected against ink rub-off, by coating wax emulsions over it. Wax can be applied as a thin layer upon the skin of citrus fruit in order to prevent it from drying and bruising.