BASF ramps up BDO production in Ludwigshafen

BASF is increasing production of 1,4-butanediol (BDO) at its Ludwigshafen plant to strengthen supply security for European customers. The move comes as the European Commission prepares to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on BDO imports from China, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

The company’s integrated Verbund structure supports the production of BDO derivatives including tetrahydrofuran (THF), polytetrahydrofuran and N-methylpyrrolidone, which serve downstream markets such as polymers, solvents, elastomers and high-performance materials. BASF operates BDO production plants in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Geismar, Louisiana.

In a statement, Verena Siegel, Vice President Global Business Management for Butanediol and Derivatives at BASF, said: “In an environment of shifting global markets and growing regionalisation, robust and reliable regional production capabilities are becoming increasingly critical for our downstream industries.”

BASF also offers biomass balanced versions of BDO, THF and polytetrahydrofuran. Sebastian Spicher, Senior Product Manager for Acetylene and Butanediol, added: “Producing more BDO in Ludwigshafen allows us to minimise transport needs and draw on the efficiencies of our integrated Verbund, resulting in a reduced product carbon footprint.”

Source: BASF