The Germany-based company says it wants to increase global production by approximately 20 per cent, to reach 50,000 tons per year by 2014, in answer to increasing demand for the chemical worldwide.
BASF plans to invest more than €30m to optimize production processes, and carry out various infrastructure and enhanced logistical processes all related to the increased manufacturing objectives.
Aiming to stay on top of HDO production
The company says that the investment will help it to retain its position as the leading global producer of HDO, which is currently manufactured at sites in Freeport, Texas and Ludwigshafen in Germany.
“By increasing our capacity and further optimizing our operations we respond to the growing demand for innovative high-performance formulations,” said Sanjeev Gandhi, president, BASF Intermediates division.
“By aligning with the growth of our customers and ensuring the availability of high-quality HDO we continue to serve our global customers as a reliable partner,” he added.
HDO used in packaging and formulation
HDO is a colourless crystalline solid that is industrially produced by the hydrogenation of adipic acid, giving it chemical properties similar to alcohol, including dehydration and substitution.
For polyurethane-based packaging materials is used to modify the material to give a number of qualities, including high flexibility, good adhesion and surface hardness.
In cosmetics formulation HDO is commonly used mainly as a texturizing ingredient to control viscosity, but can also have applications such as for humectant and solvent purposes.