New cracker, but slimmed-down catalysts for BASF
15 Jan 2000
BASF is to build a new steam cracker in the Gulf Coast region of the US. The unit will almost quadruple the company's US ethylene capacity.
The cracker, which will be able to use naphtha or ethane feedstocks, will have an annual capacity of 1.5billion pounds per year (680000tpa) of ethylene and 900million pounds per year (400 000tpa) of propylene. BASF's propylene requirements will soon double, the company points out, with the completion of the oxo-alcohols and acrylic acid plants at the Freeport, Texas complex.
Meanwhile, BASF sold part of its catalyst business to ICI's Katalco division for an undisclosed sum. The catalysts involve operate in the `syngas' process; that is, the production of ammonia, hydrogen and methanol. The business generates annual turnover of some DM30million, says BASF.
The deal, which is still subject to regulatory approval, will not lead to job losses at the business's Ludwigshafen headquarters. Katalco will continue to supply syngas catalyst to BASF, it adds. The deal will allow the company to concentrate on strengthening its market position in speciality catalysts for petrochemicals and environmental applications, explains BASF, where it intends to offer more `in both catalysts and related processes.'
