BASF has inaugurated its world-scale production complex for acrylic acid, butyl acrylate and superabsorbent polymers at Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil.
The €500 million complex, first of its kind for acrylic acid and superabsorbers in South America and BASF’s biggest investment in the region, will be able to produce 160,000 t of acrylic acid annually.
“This complex will secure national and regional supply of products that are currently imported,” said Ralph Schweens, president of BASF in South America. In addition, he said, it will positively impact the local economy by encouraging investment and innovation in the region and attract new companies to the Camaçari industrial area.
BASF’s three plants will employ 230 people directly and create an additional 600 indirect jobs in the region. The world’s largest chemical producer recently started up similar plants for acrylic acid and absorbent polymers in Nanjing, China.
Separately, BASF plans to convert its butyl acrylate plant at its existing site in Guaratinguetá near São Paulo to produce 2-ethylhexyl acrylate for the adhesive and coatings industries.
The plant for the important precursor will be the German group’s first plant of this type in South America. Production, which is set to start in 2016, will be fed by the acrylic acid produced at Camaçari.