BASF is investing in separate projects in Spain and Italy to hike capacity for polyurethane (PU) dispersions and its Irganox range of antioxidants.

The group will spend a single-digit million euro sum at its site in Castellbisbal, Spain, to expand water-based PU dispersions output by 30%. “Considering the rising demand for PU dispersions in Europe, this investment underlines our intention to assume a leading position,” said Frank Hezel, vice president resins & additives EMEA.

In Italy, the German group will increase capacity for Irganox 1520L by 20% in Pontecchio Marconi. “By debottlenecking operations at our Pontecchio plant in Italy, we are able to respond quickly to an increasing market demand,” Achim Sties, senior vice president, Performance Chemicals Europe, said.

Irganox 1520L is a thermo-oxidative stabilizer used in a wide range of polymerized, emulsion polymerized and thermoplastic elastomers, plastics, adhesives, sealants, oils and lubricants.

A timescale for both projects was not disclosed.

Outside of Europe, BASF announced it has broken ground on building a regional production hub for its Agricultural Solutions business in Asia-Pacific. Located in Singapore, the multi-purpose facility is being designed to handle six different formulation technologies to supply its crop protection products to farmers across the region. Completion is scheduled for the third quarter of 2021.

Once fully operational, the plant will have a capacity of 7 million liters/year.

Gustavo Palerosi Carneiro, head of BASF’s Agricultural Solutions business in Asia-Pacific, said the company chose Singapore because of BASF’s existing infrastructure, which allows a relatively fast production start.  In addition, he said, “Singapore’s status as a world-class logistics hub alongside its free trade agreements with most Asia-Pacific markets make it an ideal location for a facility of this nature.”

Khalil Bakar, director of energy and chemicals at the Singapore Economic Development Board, added that the country’s proximity to Asian markets “will also enable BASF to capture new opportunities in the growing agricultural technology space.”