BASF will build a 300,000tpa plant in Antwerp using the new technology

Dow and BASF are to build a new plant to make key polyurethane intermediate propylene glycol using an innovative hydrogen-peroxide-to-propylene-oxide technology (HPPO).

The process avoids the generation of co-products and requires less investment and space. BASF and Dow combined their research efforts in the area last year and say that the resulting HPPO process has exceeded their expectations. It will be used on a 300,000tpa plant at BASF’s Antwerp site, scheduled to start up in 2008.

The key driver in the market is demand for polyurethanes; the product is also used in flame retardants and synthetic lubricants.