BASF plans major investment in pioneering superabsorbent technology

Investment of up to €500 million in production capacities worldwide

28-Nov-2014 - Germany

BASF announced plans for a major investment in a pioneering superabsorbent technology platform of its hygiene business. BASF will invest up to €500 million ($625 million) over the next 2 to 3 years to establish droplet polymerization capacities worldwide by revamping existing plants. The rollout of the new technology underlines BASF’s technology leadership and leading position in the market for superabsorbent polymers.

Superabsorbent polymers are polymers that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of liquid relative to their own mass. They are used as a main component in baby diapers, incontinence products and feminine hygiene products. BASF researchers have worked intensively in the last decade to develop a new technology and optimize the corresponding production processes. BASF will launch a new generation of highly innovative superabsorbent polymers under the trademark SAVIVA^TM. The launch is scheduled sequentially, starting end of 2016.

“To launch this breakthrough innovation in a fast and efficient way, BASF has developed a revamp strategy. In order to keep time-to-market as short as possible, BASF will extend and modify already existing production sites,” said Michael Heinz, Member of the Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE. Existing facilities will in future be able to produce both SAVIVA^TM and the current product HySorb ^â .

The first wave of revamping existing plants will be kicked off in Europe, closely followed by plants in Asia and the Americas. This underlines the business approach BASF is taking, investing close to its customers and providing a global footprint for a reliable, global supply.

https://www.chemeurope.com/en/news/150709/basf-plans-major-investment-in-pioneering-superabsorbent-technology.html