BASF reduces caprolactam production by 100,000 tonnes in Europe

BASF will realign its caprolactam production in Europe by gradually reducing the capacity by 100,000 metric tonnes to 400,000 metric tonnes over the next 18 months. In Ludwigshafen (Germany), parts of the caprolactam production as well as plants producing the precursors anolone and oleum will be closed.

Caprolactam is the starting material for the plastic polyamide 6. BASF’s polyamide 6 value chain is integrated in the Verbund and ranges from precursors such as ammonia to engineering plastics used, for example, in the growing automotive and electrical industries market.

The aim of this measure is to further strengthen BASF’s polyamide 6 value chain in a difficult market environment. “The realigned production structure will further enhance our competitiveness. At the same time, it gives us greater flexibility in managing our capacities. As a result, we can respond even better to changing market conditions,” said Joachim Queisser, head of the European business unit polyamides and precursors at BASF.

The measures will affect around 80 employees in Ludwigshafen, all of whom will be offered new jobs at the site.

In 2013, BASF had adjusted its production capacity for adipic acid, a precursor for the plastic polyamide 6.6, by more than 20 percent to 210,000 metric tonnes annually in response to a changing business environment.

With more than 60 years of experience, BASF will also in the future remain the leading supplier of high-quality polyamides and polyamide intermediates for engineering plastics, films, fibres and monofilaments. BASF’s product portfolio comprises Ultramid B (polyamide 6), Ultramid C (polyamide 6/6.6 copolymer) and Ultramid A (polyamide 6.6). 

BASF operates polyamide production plants in Ludwigshafen (Germany); Antwerp (Belgium); Freeport (Texas) and Shanghai (China).