BASF ups propionic acid capacity in China and Germany

German chemical giant BASF is increasing its annual production capacity for the chemical intermediate propionic acid at its sites in Ludwigshafen, Germany, and Nanjing, Chian, by 30,000 metric tons and 9,000 metric tons, respectively. Production in Nanjing is ensured by BASF YPC Co, a joint venture with the China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec). Once the expansion of the two production facilities is completed - in Nanjing and by mid-2009 in Ludwigshafen - BASF will have the capacity to make 149,000 metric tons of propionic acid each year.

"Propionic acid is a strategic product for us and BASF is a leading supplier. With this investment, we intend to keep responding to our customers' growing demand in a sustainable manner," said Walter Gramlich, president of BASF's Intermediates Division.

The major application of propionic acid is feedgrain preservation. The organic acid is also widely used in the production of vitamin E as well as pharmaceutical active ingredients, crop protection agents, solvents, food preservatives and plastics, the firm noted.