BASF is to build a new acetylene plant at its site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. The 90,000 t/y facility is scheduled to start up at the end of 2019, replacing the existing plant which was modernized in 2012. Investment costs were not disclosed. “Integrating this plant within our ‘Verbund’ approach offers advantages such as efficient use of resources, excellent production synergies and short supply routes. This will further enhance the long-term competitiveness of our Ludwigshafen site,” said site manager Uwe Liebelt.

The heat given off during production of acetylene will be used to generate energy, while the end-product yield is higher and by-products are used efficiently, BASF said. Around 20 plants at the site use acetylene as a starting material for several other products and chains, including pharmaceuticals, plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals and highly elastic textile fibers.  BASF has operated a second acetylene plant at Geismar, Louisiana, USA, since 2000.

Ludwigshafen is also the location for two other projects announced by BASF this year, which will include increases in capacity for Laromer UV/EB acrylates and Basonat polyisocyanate hardeners.

In contrast to the fresh investment at the site, the group recently announced plans to cut caprolactam output at Ludwigshafen by 100,000 t/y. The site’s output of POM will be wound down over the next two years. The plant is planned to close in 2018, when the new 50:50  joint venture Kolon BASF InnoPOM starts up at Gimcheon, South Korea.