BASF has broken ground on a new production complex at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China, that includes plants for glacial acrylic acid (GAA), butyl acrylate (BA), and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA). Planned to come on stream by 2025, the complex will have an annual production capacity of approximately 400,000 metric tons of BA and 100,000 metric tons of 2-EHA.

“The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in further expanding our production capacities in the acrylics value chain in China,” said Hartwig Michels, president of BASF’s Petrochemicals division. “These new world-scale facilities will enable us to meet the growing Chinese and Asian market demand for acrylics that are used in various industries like hygiene or paint and coatings.”

“By strengthening our presence in key markets where our customers are located, we can more efficiently support our customers’ business growth. Being fully backward integrated in Zhanjiang Verbund site, the new acrylics facilities will provide our regional customers with a reliable supply of high-quality products with short lead times,” said Haibo Tian, vice president, Industrial Petrochemicals Asia Pacific, at BASF.

Acrylic acid is an important precursor for the production of superabsorbent polymers. Butyl acrylate, an ester of acrylic acid, is used, for example, in the production of adhesives and architectural and industrial coatings. 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is an important raw material for adhesives and coatings.

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