BASF has inaugurated the second stage of its new antioxidants complex at its Caojing site Shanghai, China. Total output capability of the completed project is  42,000 t/y.

The first phase of production, which ranges from liquid antioxidants to formgiving and powder blends for the plastic additives market, was inaugurated in January this year. The second phase consists of a synthesis plant for the antioxidants Irgafos 168 and Irganox 1076.

Output of the complex is to be marketed mainly in the fast-growing Chinese market, which according to BASF accounts for around 65% of Asian demand for antioxidants.

The facility’s sustainability profile earned the German chemical giant a €6.5 million grant from the Shanghai city council 2015 under a program designed to encourage companies to invest in technologies that use energy more efficiently and also reduce waste and emissions.

BASF said the process used at Caojing generates less waste per ton of product manufactured. What’s more, the new facility will return much of its process water to production, while a dedicated drying technology will be used to reduce solid waste.

The Ludwigshafen group is the only supplier of antioxidants with production sites in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.