BASF Finalizes Capability Enhancements for Superabsorbent Polymers in North America

Oct 15, 2024

BASF’s Petrochemicals division has completed a series of significant upgrades to its Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP) facility in Freeport, Texas, following a $19.2 million investment. Launched in 2023, the project involved installing new equipment to enhance production capacity and optimizing existing processes at the facility. These enhancements also improved rail logistics, reducing the need for truck transport, which in turn lowered the carbon footprint associated with customer deliveries.

According to Momin Birjis, BASF SAP Production Manager at the Freeport site, the upgrades are expected to enhance the performance of SAPs, specifically by improving their swelling speed and overall absorbency. These improvements will help BASF's customers produce thinner, more reliable hygiene products like diapers. "Our team is really excited about the upgrades," Birjis added, highlighting the positive impact of these changes on product quality and customer satisfaction.

The incorporation of new equipment and optimized processes has facilitated the production of higher-performing SAPs and increased production throughput by up to 20%. Furthermore, these upgrades are anticipated to enhance the overall reliability of the plant’s operations. Shawn Wick, BASF Business Director for SAP North America, highlighted that this investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to the North American hygiene market and its aim to uphold its status as a leading and reliable supplier of SAP in the region.

With the completion of these upgrades, BASF is better positioned to meet the growing demand for SAPs, which are key components in hygiene products such as diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene items. The company’s initiatives to improve production capacity and logistical efficiency will allow it to serve its customers more effectively while also promoting more sustainable operations. This investment not only strengthens BASF's market position but also underscores its focus on delivering innovative solutions that support its customers in the hygiene sector.

BASF is a German multinational corporation and the world's largest chemical producer, with its headquarters located in Ludwigshafen, Germany. It manufactures a broad range of chemicals, including solvents, amines, resins, adhesives, electronic-grade chemicals, industrial gases, basic petrochemicals, and inorganic chemicals like Z-Cote. Key customers for this segment include the pharmaceutical, construction, textile, and automotive industries. BASF operates subsidiaries and joint ventures in over 80 countries, with six integrated production sites and 390 additional facilities across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Americas, and Africa. The company serves customers in more than 190 countries, supplying products to various industries. The company started its journey as a dye manufacturer in the year of 1865.