BASF increases global capacity for hexanediol

• More than 50,000 tons of hexanediol by 2014 in two production facilities
• Strengthening position as leading global hexanediol supplier



Ludwigshafen, Germany - BASF will increase its annual global capacity for manufacturing the chemical intermediate 1,6-hexanediol (HDO) by more than 20 percent to more than 50,000 tons per annum by 2014. For this purpose, the company will further optimize its production processes, carry out various infrastructure projects and enhance its logistical processes. BASF will invest more than €30 million. Through these measures BASF will strengthen its position as the globally leading HDO supplier. BASF operates HDO production facilities at its Verbund sites in Freeport, Texas, and Ludwigshafen, Germany.



“By increasing our capacity and further optimizing our operations we respond to the growing demand for innovative high-performance formulations,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, President, BASF Intermediates division, and added, “by aligning with the growth of our customers and ensuring the availability of high-quality HDO we continue to serve our global customers as a reliable partner.”



HDO adds value in many applications. BASF’s customers use the intermediate to manufacture industrial coatings including lower volatile organic compound formulations, polyurethane plastics, adhesives and cosmetics. HDO also serves as a reactive thinner in the formulation of epoxy systems which are used for the efficient production of rotor blades for modern wind turbines as well as construction components for automotive lightweight applications.



About BASF Intermediates

BASF Intermediates division develops, produces and markets a comprehensive portfolio of more than 600 intermediates around the world. The most important of the division’s product groups include amines, diols, polyalcohols, acids and specialties. Among other applications, intermediates are used as starting materials for coatings, plastics, pharmaceuticals, textile fibers, detergents and crop protectants. Innovative intermediates from BASF help to improve the properties of final products and the efficiency of production processes. The ISO 9001:2000-certified Intermediates division operates plants at production sites in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Around the globe, 2,763 employees of the division generated sales to third parties of about €2.7 billion in 2011. For more information, go to www.intermediates.basf.com



About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com