Citral switch
24 Sep 2004
BASF has opened the world's first continuous plant for citral, with a capacity of 40 000tpa, at its Ludwigshafen headquarters complex.
The plant's products will shift the company's synthesis routes, forming the starting point for vitamins A and E, carotenoids, and an extended range of aroma chemicals.
The plant represents a major part of a 300million Euro investment in fine chemicals at Ludwigshafen. Based on proprietary catalysts and technologies, the plant will simplify production structures for fine chemicals, and reduce production costs.
'Processes with superior efficiency like this one strengthen and develop the Ludwigshafen site,' comments Albert Heuser, site manager for the complex.
The market unlocked by the increased citral capacity, which includes human and animal nutrition products, cosmetics and toiletries, is an attractive one for BASF. 'Such markets are close to the consumer,' says Peter Oakley, board member with responsibility for agricultural products and nutrition.
'They are very large, show long-term stability and are likely to grow in the coming years.'
