BASF plans to expand its compounding capacities for engineering plastics in Europe from 2017, adding production lines for as much as 70,000 t/y to its Ultramid polyamide and Ultradur PBT capacity at Schwarzheide in eastern Germany. Some 50 new jobs are planned to be created.

The Ludwigshafen-based group, world’s largest chemical producer by sales, said this will be another step in its capacity expansions in response to the increasing global demand for engineering plastics, in particular from the automotive industry.

During 2015, BASF has more than doubled its compounding capacities for the two engineering polymers at Shanghai, China, while also increasing output of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In Korea, a plant for compounding Ultramid and Ultradur was started up in October.

With the latest expansion, BASF is strengthening its leading position in engineering plastics in Europe, said Melanie Maas-Brunner, head of the Performance Materials Europe division.

Alongside the automotive industry, the engineering plastics are also used in the electrical and electronics sector as well as in the construction and furniture industries.