BASF to increase additives capacity; EUR200 mn investments in US, Europe, Asia

Within the next five years, German chemicals firm BASF plans to invest globally more than EUR200 million in its plastic additives business, approximately half of which in Asia, focusing on capacity expansions and operational. Plastic additives improve product properties such as scratch resistance or light stability, and optimise plastics manufacturing processes.

“BASF will strengthen its plastic additives business with investments in additional capacities to meet increasing global demand for antioxidants, as well as light stabilisers. Moreover, we will invest in digital processes and technology to support our customers as a reliable supplier in all regions,” said Dr. Christian Fischer, President, BASF Performance Chemicals division.

The planned set of measures focuses on capacity expansions at sites in North America and Europe as well as investments in automation, digital technologies and modelling. In addition, BASF plans to strengthen its plastic additives production footprint in Asia.

In addition to investments, innovation remains an integral part of BASF’s business strategy. At the K Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, BASF’s plastic additives business recently launched two new light stabilisers:

Tinuvin 880, based on a new chemistry, is a medium molecular weight light stabiliser that provides significantly improved light stability, especially in interior car applications with the additional benefit of offering higher thermal stability.

Tinuvin XT 55 provides formulators with good durability and secondary properties such as colour stability, gas fading and extraction resistance. Using this new solution, cost performance will be achieved by adjusting dosage and other formulation components to end application conditions and expectations.

Both products are undergoing sampling at key customers.