BASF inaugurates its first sodium methylate plant in South America
Today, BASF officially inaugurated its new world-scale production plant for sodium methylate in Guaratinguetá, Brazil, its largest site in South America. The plant has a capacity of 60,000 metric tons per year and is supplying the regional market.
- (1888PressRelease) February 07, 2012 - Production started at the end of 2011 and the plant has been continuously delivering excellent product quality. It is the first BASF plant for this product in South America and the second in the world, in addition to a plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Capital expenditure for the project was in the low double-digit million euro range.
“We have invested in a new production plant to further strengthen our competitive position in the fast-growing market for biodiesel in South America. This start-up su pports our strategic initiative to work as closely as possible with our customers and to serve them even better by providing a local and stable supply of sodium methylate,” said Stefano Pigozzi, President of BASF’s Inorganic Chemicals. “This plant is also one building block in our strategy to further expand our leading position in South America.”
“This investment in the new plant responds to the growing market opportunity for biodiesel in the region. As announced last year, we are planning to build a second plant in South America in order to accompany South America’s intended growth for biodiesel,” said Dr. Alfred Hackenberger, BASF President for South America.
Sodium methylate is an efficient and reliable catalyst for the production of biodiesel, which has developed into an important and increasing alternative for diesel fuels in the past years. Biodiesel meets the requirements of engine manufacturers for high-quality fuels.
Legislation in Brazil requires fuel to contain 5 percent biodiesel. In Argentina, biodiesel makes up 7 percent of fuel. Other South American countries have similar legislation.
You can find further information about sodium methylate and alcoholates at www.inorganics.basf.com.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €63.9 billion in 2010 and had approximately 109,000employees as of the end of 2010. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet in the Social Media Newsroom at newsroom.basf.com .
Corporate Media Relations
Holger Kapp
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holger.kapp ( @ ) basf dot com
Trade press
Anke Muenk
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Mariana Aida
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Fax: +55 11 3043 2505
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