21.03.2016 • NewsElaine BurridgePetronasBASF

BASF Petronas Breaks Ground on Malaysian HR-PIB Plant

BASF Petronas Chemicals, the joint venture between Germany’s BASF and major Malaysian petrochemicals company Petronas, has broken ground on its highly reactive polyisobutene (HR-PIB) in Gebeng, Kuantan, Malaysia.

Located at one of BASF’s two Verbund (integrated) sites in Asia-Pacific, BASF said the new HR-PIB plant provides a synergistic opportunity for background integration that allows for greater sustainable use of raw materials, energy and technology know-how.

The plant will produce 50,000 t/y HR-PIB with production scheduled to start in the final quarter of 2017. HR-PIB is an intermediate in the manufacture of high performance fuel and lubricant additives.

BASF also produces HR-PIB at its Verbund sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Antwerp, Belgium, and within a jv with Sinopec YPC in Nanjing, China.

An integrated aroma ingredients facility is also under construction at the Kuantan complex. BASF Petronas is investing $500 million in the plant to manufacture citral, citronellol and L-menthol to meet rising demand from the flavors and fragrance industry, particularly in Asia-Pacific.

Production is being developed in stages and the first phase plants are due to become operational this year.

Whitepaper

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)
Setting the Standard

Excellence in Pharmaceutical Distribution and The Critical Role of Good Distribution Practice (GDP)

Are you ready to elevate your pharmaceutical operations? Download our exclusive whitepaper and discover how compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) is essential for the safety and integrity of pharmaceuticals.

Free Virtual Event

ProteiNext 2025

ProteiNext 2025

ProteiNext is an annual symposium that offers a platform for sharing insights on protein analysis