Group retains Ludwigshafen base for high temperature polymer manufacture

BASF is to double its capacity for the Ultrason family of high temperature polymers comprising polysulphone and polyethersulphone in a project costing “in the middle double-digit million euro range.” The investment, taking capacity to 12,000tpa, will be made at the German group’s Ludwigshafen plant and come on stream at the end of 2007, creating 23 additional jobs.

Demand for the materials is growing constantly on a global basis, according to Raimar Jahn, who heads the group’s Performance Polymers division. He said: “In recent years, we have successfully developed many new applications for Ultrason in all regions. We are convinced that we will continue to drive this trend.”