In response to growing global demand, BASF is expanding capacity for global alkyl polyglucosides (APGs) at its sites in Bangpakong, Thailand, and Cincinnati, Ohio, USA,

By building up production in two regions in parallel, the German group, which regards itself as global market leader for APGs, said it will be able to strengthen its position and supply customers faster and more flexibly from the regional supply points, while at the same time reducing cross-regional volume flows.

Apart from the Thai and the US two sites, BASF’s Care Chemicals division currently produces APGs at Düsseldorf, Germany, and Jinshan, China. In North America, it is the sole manufacturer.

“With this investment, we will solidify our position as a leading supplier of APGs in all relevant industries,” said Mary Kurian, president Care Chemicals. The expansion of this sustainable business, she added, will enable the future of bio-based and biodegradable surfactants worldwide by offering diverse applications for personal care and home care, as well as industrial and institutional cleaning and industrial formulations.

For BASF, the Bangpakong site is already an important Asian production hub. Agus Ciputra, senior vice president Care Chemicals, Asia Pacific BASF, said the new APG line, together with the existing APG plant in Jinshan, will enable short delivery times and business continuity to support growth and the increasing consumer demand for bio-based surfactants across the continent.

Used in different applications within the personal care, home care, industrial & institutional cleaning sectors, the mild secondary surfactants are derived from 100% natural and renewable feedstocks. Besides having a sustainable and superior performance profile, their non-ionic nature makes the formulation with other surfactants versatile. BASF said.