Superabsorbents made in Thailand
16 Jan 2001
BASF has started up a new plant for the production of superabsorbents in Rayong, Thailand. The plant will have an annual capacity of 20,000 metric tons.
The Rayong plant was initiated by Chemdal before its acquisition by BASF in 2000. The plant will supply markets in Thailand and other countries in Asia.
In addition to Thailand, BASF produces superabsorbents in Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States. A new plant is currently being constructed in Belgium.
BASF also plans to build yet another superabsorbent plant at its acrylics complex in Brazil, which is targeted to start-up by the end of 2003.
Superabsorbents are partially crosslinked sodium polyacrylates. These substances, which are able to absorb up to 25 times their own weight of water, have been used since the mid-1980s in hygiene products such as baby diapers.
Other uses for superabsorbents are found in agriculture - for soil-water retention - and cable wrappings, including submarine cables.
