BASF SE (Ludwigshafen, Germany) has completed its capacity expansion for key specialty amines manufactured at its Geismar, Louisiana site. As a result, BASF will be able to produce more of its key polyetheramines and amine catalysts marketed under the Baxxodur and Lupragen brands.
“This project represents our commitment to growth in the Americas market,” said Kevin Anderson, Vice President, Business Management Amines, Acetylenics and Carbonyl Derivatives, Chemical Intermediates, North America for BASF. “Our Geismar site was the ideal location for this expansion thanks to its existing infrastructure and skilled workforce.”
BASF’s Baxxodur portfolio is utilized by customers as highly efficient curing agents and chain extenders in epoxy and polyurea applications for the wind, electrical, composites, adhesives and flooring industries. The usage of Baxxodur products allows customers to achieve a wide range of benefits in their formulation, including improved curing time, hardness, flexibility, peel strength and chemical and temperature resistance.
BASF’s Lupragen products are highly efficient amine catalysts for Polyurethanes (PU). Those catalysts are typically tertiary amines, which are required to facilitate the reaction of the main components – isocyanate and polyol. Depending on the choice of catalyst, the polyurethane forming process can be controlled to enhance the gelling or blowing reaction. BASF’s Lupragen portfolio includes several low-VOC catalysts which offer support to address the increasing target of sustainable emission reductions.
With about 300 different amines, BASF has one of the world’s most diverse portfolio of chemical intermediates. Along with alkyl-, alkanol- and alkoxyalkylamines, BASF offers heterocyclic and aromatic as well as specialty amines. The versatile products are utilized mainly to manufacture process chemicals, pharmaceuticals and crop protection products, as well as cosmetic products and detergents. They also are used to produce coatings, special plastics, composites and special fibers.