BASF plans to invest €4-16 million during 2014 to expand its photoinitiator production at Mortara, Italy. The cash injection is designed to strengthen the competitiveness of the complex billed as one of the world's largest, the German group said.

Photoinitiators are a core business, said BASF. The world's largest chemical producer has built up a leading position in the UV coatings and inks market, with a strong portfolio comprising photoinitiators, light stabilizers, formulation additives and UV resins supported by intensive technical service.

Added in very small quantities, photoinitiators speed up the drying process for UV curable coatings, inks and adhesives by triggering chemical reactions upon exposure to UV light.