Most read: BASF starts butadiene production in Antwerp

ERJ staff report (PR)

Ludwigshafen, Germany – BASF has started up a 155-kilotonnes-per-annum (ktpa) butadiene extraction plant at its Antwerp, Belgium site, the chemical maker announced 11 Sept.

The new plant is BASF’s second butadiene extraction plant in Europe: it already operates a 105ktpa facility at its headquarters site in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

“This plant secures our internal supply with butadiene at competitive costs,” said Dr. Uwe Kirchgäßner, head of BASF’s basic petrochemicals Europe business unit.

“In addition, it enables us to take advantage of opportunities on the external market and strengthens our market position in Europe,” he added.

Butadiene will be extracted from crude C4, a product from the steam cracker at the Belgian petrochemical complex.

“With the new plant we are further developing the integration of the C4 value chain in Antwerp,” said Wouter de Geest, CEO of BASF Antwerpen NV.

Butadiene is principally used as a monomer for the production of synthetic rubber, particularly for the tire industry.