NEWS
BASF starts up EO complex
BASF has expanded capacity for ethylene oxide ( EO ) and derivatives at its verbund site in Antwerp , adding 400,000 tonnes / year in total . The € 500 million + investment comprises a second world-scale EO plant , including capacity for purified EO and alkoxylates . About 100 new jobs have been created .
The company has started production in its € 25 million excellence centre for superabsorbent polymers ( SAPs ) at the same site ( pictured ). This features a pilot plant equipped with advanced data collection and sensor technology to increase innovation capabilities in SAPs and accelerate scale-up from development to production at the nearby commercial plant .
Meanwhile , at its Düsseldorf site , BASF has announced that it will add a new reactor and upgrade the distillation units to increase capacity for speciality emollients . These are mainly used in silicone-free skin care products and octocrylene-free sun protection . The new facilities are scheduled to go into operation in Q3 2025 .
Also in the personal care space , BASF has agreed a partnership with US startup 3Helix . This involves an unspecified
equity investment and exclusive rights to commercialise 3Helix ’ s technology , which is based on short , singlestranded collagen-like peptides that can bind to damaged and denatured collagen . BASF plans to bring it inhouse and aims to launch it in 2025 .
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