BASF to build acetylene facility in Ludwigshafen to replace old plant

BASF will replace the existing acetylene plant at Ludwigshafen (Germany) with a new facility that will start production at the end of 2019. The new facility will have the capacity to produce 90,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) of acetylene and will use the world’s most efficient production process. Around 20 production facilities at the Ludwigshafen site use acetylene as a starting material for many other products and value chains.

“With the new plant, we are strengthening the BASF Verbund (the principle that enables the company to add value through efficient use of its resources) by ensuring an efficient supply of the key intermediate acetylene at our Ludwigshafen site. This will improve our competitiveness and support growth in the various acetylene value chains. We have been working on acetylene production for more than 50 years and have continuously refined the associated processes during this time. Accordingly, the new plant in Ludwigshafen will use state-of-the-art technical equipment and processes,” said Dr Stefan Blank, president of the intermediates division.

As an important starting material for many BASF products at the Ludwigshafen site and for products produced by its customers, acetylene is very important to the company. “Integrating this plant within our Verbund approach offers advantages such as efficient use of resources, excellent production synergies and short supply routes. This will further enhance the long-term competitiveness of our Ludwigshafen site,” said Dr Uwe Liebelt, head of the BASF Ludwigshafen Verbund site.

With its modern production process, the plant will strengthen the BASF Verbund in Ludwigshafen. The process uses raw materials very efficiently. Furthermore, the heat given off during production will be used to generate energy. The end-product yield is higher and by-products are used efficiently.

As a chemical component, acetylene has a diverse range of applications. It is an important starting material for many everyday products, including pharmaceuticals, plastics, solvents, electronic chemicals and highly elastic textile fibres. BASF customers use these products in the automotive, pharma, construction, consumer goods and textiles industries. BASF has also operated an acetylene plant at its Verbund site in Geismar (Louisiana, USA) since 2000.

The production and processing of acetylene is closely connected with the name Walter Reppe (1892-1969), a BASF chemist who is considered the founder of modern acetylene chemistry. His goal was the large-scale use of acetylene for plastic production. Working towards this goal, he first found a way to work safely with the highly flammable and reactive acetylene gas under high pressure. Based on this, he conducted research in the 1930s on four fundamental chemical reactions with acetylene that can create a wide variety of chemical compounds. This chemistry pioneer thus paved the way for the production of countless products that contribute to today’s quality of life.