BASF is expanding capacity for methane sulfonic acid (MSA) at its Ludwigshafen headquarters site by around 65% and at the same time increasing global output capability to 50,000 t/y. The increased tonnage is expected to be available to customers in all regions by late 2021.

The German chemical giant said the investment further strengthens its position as the leading global producer of MSA. The strong organic acid is used in numerous applications ranging from chemical and biofuel synthesis to industrial cleaning and metal surface treatment in the electronics industry.

BASF said the expansion is in line with the trend for top performance products that are made with environmentally friendly technologies. It added that its high-purity methane sulfonic acid sold under the trademark Lutropur is a sustainable alternative to other acids such as sulfuric, phosphoric or acetic acid.

As part of the natural sulfur cycle, MSA is readily biodegradable, while further benefits in practical applications come from the product’s non-oxidizing nature, the high solubility of its salts and the absence of color and odor, BASF noted.  

The capacity upgrade will allow the multinational chemical producer to support the rapid growth of its customers, especially in Asia, according to Martin Widmann, head of Global Strategic Marketing and Development in the Care Chemicals division.  As part of a continuous expansion drive, Widmann said the Ludwigshafen group is also evaluating options to produce MSA outside Europe.