BASF to build neopentyl glycol plant in Freeport, TX

BASF Corp. (Mt. Olive, NJ) will build a plant to produce 60,000 m.t./yr of neopentyl glycol (NPG), of which the company is the world's leading producer. The plant, to start up in early 2002, will replace 24,000 m.t./yr of current capacity, and adds to capacity that BASF AG has in Ludwigshafen, Germany, Tarragona, Spain, and Jilin, China. After the plant comes online, its worldwide capacity will be 150,000 m.t./yr.

According to BASF, NPG is a precursor for the production of powder resins, which are used to make solvent-free powder coatings. These emission-free, environmentally friendly products are suitable for coating household appliances, furniture, computer housings, industrial equipment and automotive parts. NPG is also used to manufacture polyurethanes, plasticizers and synthetic lubricants.

Edited by Nick Basta