BASF has started up a new methanes ulfonic acid plant at its Verbund site in Ludwigshafen. Demand for methanesulfonic acid (MSA for short) has risen steadily worldwide in recent years. This is also due to growing interest in particularly environmentally compatible products and formulations. In order to meet the growing demand from its customers, the chemical company has therefore invested a double-digit million euro amount in expanding its production capacities at the site. The additional sales volumes are expected to be available from the third quarter of 2022.
“With this investment, we are helping our global customer base to formulate environmentally optimized high-performance products. In doing so, we are supporting our customers’ growth in this dynamic market as a reliable supplier,” says Soeren Hildebrandt, Senior Vice President Home Care, I&I and Industrial Formulators Europe. The investment increases capacity at the Ludwigshafen site to a total of 50,000 metric tons per year. By expanding production volumes, BASF is responding to the growing global demand for high-performance and sustainable formulations.
Methane sulfonic acid, which BASF sells under the name Lutropur MSA, is a highly effective organic acid with a unique property profile. This distinguishes it from all other acids: MSA is a strong acid that forms readily soluble salts. At the same time, MSA is colorless, odorless and easily biodegradable. Due to its outstanding property profile, MSA is increasingly used in many applications: from chemical and biofuel synthesis to industrial cleaning or metal surface treatment in the electronics industry. The acid is manufactured by BASF's Care Chemicals division. Here, ingredients are produced for personal care, home care and industrial & institutional cleaning, as well as for technical applications. The products are also used in the cosmetics industry and in the detergents and cleaners industry. The division's product range includes surfactants, emulsifiers, polymers, emollients, chelating agents, cosmetic active ingredients and UV filters.
