BASF Opens New Alkyl Ethanolamines Plant at Antwerp Verbund Site

BASF has officially opened a new world-scale production facility for alkyl ethanolamines at its Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium. This major investment will boost the company’s global annual production capacity for alkyl ethanolamines, such as dimethyl ethanolamine (DMEOA) and methyl diethanolamine (MDEOA), by nearly 30%, bringing the total capacity to over 140,000 tons per year. The new facility strengthens BASF's existing production network for alkyl ethanolamines, which spans across its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany; Geismar, Louisiana; Nanjing, China; and Antwerp, Belgium.

Ketan Joshi, President of BASF’s Intermediates division, highlighted the significance of the expansion, stating, "This investment underlines our commitment to becoming the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates and reinforces our role as a key supplier of alkyl ethanolamines. By growing our global production network and leveraging our Verbund integration and competitive technology, we aim to support our customers in achieving sustainable growth."

Alkyl ethanolamines are versatile chemicals that play a crucial role in a variety of industries. They are commonly used as precursors for gas treatment chemicals, flocculants in water treatment, and as binders between pigments and resins in coatings. Additionally, they serve in the production of fabric softeners, additives for metalworking fluids, and polyurethanes. BASF’s broad portfolio of amines includes over 300 different varieties, making it the world’s most diverse producer of these intermediates. Along with alkyl ethanolamines, BASF produces alkanol- and alkoxyalkylamines, heterocyclic and aromatic amines, and specialty amines.

The company is also broadening its portfolio of chiral amines, which are recognized for their exceptional optical and chemical purity. These products are essential for manufacturing chemicals used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, crop protection, cosmetics, and detergents. Additionally, they are utilized in producing coatings, specialty plastics, composites, and fibers.

BASF's ongoing investments in amines production, including this latest addition in Antwerp, reflect the company’s focus on supporting sustainable solutions while catering to diverse industrial applications around the world.

BASF is committed to creating chemistry for a sustainable future, blending economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. With a global workforce of approximately 112,000 employees, BASF supports customers across nearly all industries and countries. The company’s diverse portfolio spans six key segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care, and Agricultural Solutions. In 2023, BASF reported sales of €68.9 billion. The company's shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the ticker BAS and are also available as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the United States.  BASF manufactures a broad array of chemicals, including solvents, amines, resins, adhesives, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals, and inorganic compounds like Z-Cote.