BASF to Boost Polyurethane Dispersions Capacity by 30%

German chemicals firm BASF is looking to increase its production of water-based polyurethane dispersions with a “single-digit million-euro” investment in its facility in Castellbisbal, Spain, the company announced Thursday in a release. 

“We want to continue to provide our customers with high-quality polyurethane dispersions and help them grow by ensuring supply reliability,” Frank Hezel, vice president of Resins & Additives EMEA at BASF, said in a statement. “Considering the rising demand for polyurethane dispersions in Europe, this investment underlies our intention to assume a leading position in the business of polyurethane dispersions.”

Polyurethane dispersions are used in coatings for parquet flooring and furniture, printing and packaging, adhesives, and industrial and automotive coatings. BASF said the water-based product is more sustainable and environmentally friendly than solvent-based alternatives. 

BASF’s Joncryl platform for polyurethane dispersions and hybrids are used to increase abrasion and scratch resistance and chemical resistance in flooring and furniture products and in soft-touch varnishes and lamination inks for printing and packaging applications. 

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The firm’s Epotal Eco product line is used to create water-based compostable raw materials for adhesives used in biodegradable flexible packaging. Luphen brands of polyurethane dispersions are used in adhesives for living spaces and in cars. Products sold under the Basonol PU platform are used by the automotive industry to increase adhesion in primers and paints. 

Earlier this month, BASF said it was making a “higher double-digit million euro” investment to expand methane sulfonic acid (MSA) production at its Ludwigshafen Verbund facility by 50,000 tn/yr. MSA produced at the new plant will be sold under the Lutropur brand to customers in European and Asian markets. The new production assets are slated to be operational by the end of 2021. 

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