BASF builds additional world-scale plant for complexing agent Trilon® M

* Increasing demand for bio-degradable Trilon® M

* 120,000 tonnes worldwide complexing agent capacity from 2010 on

* Application in detergents, cleaning agents and cosmetics

* Customers can improve the environmentally friendliness of their products


BASF is investing in the production of its sustainable complexing agent Trilon® M, thereby consolidating its position as one of the world’s leading complexing agent producers. The construction of a new world-scale plant at Ludwigshafen, Germany, has begun. Upon completion in 2010, BASF will have a worldwide capacity of 120,000 tonnes a year for its complete range of complexing agents.

Sold under the brand name Trilon M, the sales of methylglycinediacetic acid continue to grow, confirming the extremely strong performance profile and the eco-friendliness of this complexing agent in the class of aminocarboxylates. “By expanding its capacity for this complexing agent, produced exclusively by BASF, the company is helping customers achieve sustainable economic development”, explains BASF’s marketing director, Dr. Thomas Greindl, Care Chemicals & Formulators Europe. “Trilon M is readily biodegradable and improves the cleaning effect of detergents and cleaning agents as well as industrial and all-purpose cleaners.”

BASF’s chelating agent Trilon M also offers a good price/performance ratio. It has therefore established itself as a product for replacing phosphates in modern, high-performance, ecofriendly dishwasher detergents. BASF supplies mainly to the detergents and cleaners industry as well as to cosmetics manufacturers.

The outstanding eco-toxicological and toxicological profile of Trilon M has been confirmed by extensive long-term studies. Hazard labelling is unnecessary. The product’s sustainability has been corroborated by an eco-efficiency study certified by the German Technical Control Board (TÜV). “BASF’s customers have therefore the security that they will be able to use this sustainable complexing agent in their formulations in the long term,” continues Greindl. “Thus, BASF customers can improve the environmentally friendliness of their products”. Trilon M is available worldwide in liquid and various solid forms.

BASF manufactures its complexing agents at its Ludwigshafen site as well as in Lima, Ohio (US) and Guaratinguetá (Brazil).

Complexing agents increase the cleaning action of detergent and dishwasher products, as well as industrial and all-purpose cleaners, by reducing the concentration of metal ions in aqueous solutions. At the same time, they convert poorly soluble compounds into ones that are readily soluble in water. In the paper industry, complexing agents eliminate heavy metals that can interfere with bleaching. In the cosmetics industry, they stabilise creams and shampoos, and in photographic paper they prevent yellowing.


Care Chemicals & Formulators
BASF’s Care Chemicals & Formulators business unit develops, produces and markets a comprehensive range of products for cosmetics, detergents & cleaners, and industrial and chemical applications. The portfolio includes personal care ingredients, surfactants, polymers, complexing agents, biocides, waxes and wax emulsions, as well as metal surface treatment products. Care Chemicals & Formulators is part of BASF’s Care Chemicals division.