BASF has successfully started up its new world-scale plant for hexamethylenediamine (HMD) in Chalampé, France. The facility, which has been under construction since 2022, increases the company's annual HMD production capacity to 260,000 metric tons and marks a key step in expanding its polyamide 6.6 business in Europe.
The investment reflects BASF’s strategic focus on strengthening its European manufacturing footprint and securing long-term supply chains for high-performance polymers. “This investment underlines BASF’s strong commitment to chemical production in Europe and our determination to support regional growth. It is yet another example of how we put our ‘Winning Ways’ strategy into action to create long-term value for our company and secure our future competitiveness in a volatile economic environment,” said Dr. Stephan Kothrade, member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF.
Polyamide 6.6: Strengthening supply capabilities in Europe
HMD is a key intermediate in the production of polyamide 6.6 polymers and coatings materials. These are used across various industries, notably automotive and textiles, where high mechanical strength and heat resistance are essential. The new facility in Chalampé benefits from close integration into the existing production network, including the key raw material adiponitrile (ADN).
Focus on reliability and customer orientation
With the new plant in operation, BASF aims to reinforce its reliability as a supplier to the European polyamide market. The setup supports timely delivery and consistent product quality, aligning with customer expectations in demanding industrial segments. “The successful completion of this investment project is a significant step towards our goal of being the leading supplier for HMD and the preferred partner for PA 6.6 in Europe,” adds Dr. Ramkumar Dhruva, President of BASF’s Monomers division. “Through the new HMD production plant in Chalampé and the expanded PA 6.6 polymerization in Freiburg, we are ideally positioned to supply our customers reliably with high-quality products.”
R&D infrastructure for advanced polymer applications
Beyond production, BASF’s Chalampé site is also home to a modern research and development laboratory focused on polyamide 6.6 technologies. This strengthens the company’s innovation pipeline and ensures that new developments in polymer applications are supported by local capabilities. The expansion project also includes the final phase of a polymerization capacity increase at BASF’s Freiburg site, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to polyamide as a strategic material class in Europe.
