Aug 1 2003
BASF have commissioned production facility for the manufacture of methanesulfonic acid (MSA). The facility is located at BASF’s main plant in Ludwigshafen and took only 20 months to construct.
The plant with an annual capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes uses a novel process which was developed and patented by BASF.
Methanesulfonic acid is an organic acid characterised by the high solubility of metal salts. It is biologically degradable and toxicologically safe.
Its main use is in electroplating operations such as galvanising where it is becoming increasingly popular as it is more environmentally friendly compared to other chemicals. Examples of other applications for methanesulfonic acid include tin plating, production of printed circuit boards, paints and coatings, chemical synthesis, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and as a catalyst for esterification, alkylation and polymerisation.
For more information on galvanising, click here.