BASF will build a new world scale production plant to manufacture specialty amines at its existing wholly-owned site in the Nanjing Chemical Industry Park in China. The plant, which is scheduled to come on stream in late 2015, will have dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) and polyetheramines (PEA) as the main products. With this new facility BASF will further strengthen its global production network. The new plant complements existing facilities in Germany and the U.S. for DMAPA and PEA.
The chemical intermediate Dimethylaminopropylamine (DMAPA) is processed into special surfactants, which are important raw materials for personal care products. They give shampoos, shower gels and liquid soaps their mildness. These products do not sting in the eyes, and make fine bubble foam. They are also highly compatible with other shampoo additives and readily biodegradable. BASF is the world’s largest DMAPA manufacturer. Photo: BASF - The Chemical Company, 2014
“BASF is a leading supplier of DMAPA and PEA globally, and this investment reflects our continued commitment to meeting the growing market demand in Asia Pacific,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, President of BASF’s Intermediates division. “Our ability to produce these products within the region will strengthen our supply reliability and better serve our customers with shorter lead times.”
“The investment is driven by the increasing consumption of personal care products by the growing middle class in China and in Asia,” said Dr. Guido Voit, Senior Vice President, BASF Intermediates, Asia Pacific. “Additionally, the development in the construction, wind energy and coatings industries in China and other emerging countries in Asia will continue to drive demand for PEA.”
DMAPA is mainly consumed in the production of betaines, which are used as co-surfactants in personal care products like shampoo and body wash. DMAPA is also used in various other applications including dye-stuff intermediates, lubricant additives, electroplating, coupling agents for rubber and others.
PEA is an intermediate chemical for epoxy curing agents used in the production of plastics, polyurea coatings, adhesives, reaction injection moulding and wind blade composites. BASF offers polyetheramines under its Baxxodur® brand.
BASF has manufacturing capacities for both products at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and in Geismar, Louisiana.
Further information: http://www.intermediates.basf.com/chemicals/ethanolamines-ethyleneamines/index
About BASF Intermediates
The BASF Group’s Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive portfolio of more than 700 intermediates around the world. Its most important product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve both the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001 certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia and North America. Around the globe the division generated sales to third parties of about €2.8 billion in 2013. For more information, go to www.intermediates.basf.com.