. Expansion to raise global annual capacity to 470,000 tonnes
. Investment supports market growth and drives innovation
Ludwigshafen – December 17, 2010. BASF plans to expand its existing superabsorbent polymer production capacities at its Antwerp, Belgium and Freeport, USA sites. Gradual debottlenecking and technical expansion measures are to raise annual capacity by 70,000 tonnes to a total of 470,000 tonnes by 2012, with each site contributing an additional 35,000 tonnes.

The aim of the planned investments is to support market growth and drive innovation. The additional superabsorbent polymer volumes are also required to prepare investments at new sites in growth
markets.

Superabsorbent polymers are plastics with the capacity to absorb up to 500 times their own weight in liquid. The absorption drops to a still impressive figure of 50 times their weight in salty body fluids such as urine. In chemical terms, superabsorbent polymers are water-insoluble cross-linked high-molecular-weight polymers. Upon exposure to liquids, the granules form a gel that locks in large amounts of liquid and does not release it even under pressure. The product is used in the form of a white grainy powder.

Superabsorbent polymers have a variety of applications

Superabsorbent polymers are mainly used to make diapers. Adult incontinence products and female hygiene products are another priority area of research and marketing for the white granules. Some applications are non-hygiene – the absorption power of superabsorbent polymers is also used for car seat moisture control and agricultural water storage.